National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent ...

78Chapter 4Element of readiness168. Additional considerations that need to be stressed are theelement of readiness and the timeliness of one’s response to a vocation.Since inquirers to the diaconate have many commitments tofamily, career, employment, community, and church service, it is amatter of prudential judgment to explore not only whether the call tothe diaconate is from the Holy Spirit, but also whether the inquirer isready and able to respond to that call at the present time.III. The Discernment of the CallPersonal discernmentFamily discernmentCommunal discernment169. The first stirrings of a vocation to the diaconate are oftenexplored at a personal level and usually begin with seeking informationabout the diaconate and formation. Here, an individual initiallyreflects upon the nature of his perceived call. Primacy must begiven at this time to the spiritual dimension, and central to this isspiritual guidance. “Because every spiritual journey is personal andindividual, it requires personal guidance.” 6 The pastor and others onthe parish staff are particular resources at this time.170. As the majority of those who inquire about the diaconate aremarried, they should be directed to pay particular attention to discussingtheir possible vocation with their wives and families. Theinitial information and conversations with their pastor and othersshould assist and encourage these discussions. For a married man,the support and consent of his wife is required. Therefore, bothspouses need to make sure that support and consent, even at this earlystage of discernment, arise from an informed understanding. Manyregions and cultures also place emphasis on the participation of theextended family. This, too, is an important resource for discernment.171. An inquiry and eventual application for entrance into diaconalformation is not just a personal and family journey. TheChurch must accompany it. The parish is the primary experience ofChurch for most inquirers. It is the responsibility of this communityand, in particular, its pastor to invite from among its members thosewho may be qualified to serve as ordained ministers of the Church. 7Similarly, those church and community agencies that have oftencarried out the Church’s mission of charity and justice have aunique opportunity to call forth appropriate nominees from amongtheir personnel.