National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States of America

Guidelines for the formation of permanent deacons and their subsequent ministry and life as ordained ministers. Permanent deacons play a key role in the ministry of the Catholic Church. As participants in the apostolic ministry bestowed by Christ upon the apostles, they seek to serve the Church as Jesus did and witness to him in their families and secular professions. The National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States of America is a resource for use by diocesan bishops in the development of diaconal formation programs and the formulation of policies for the ministry and life of the deacons of a diocese. It seeks to help every diocese fully realize the purpose of the diaconate and its integration into the life of the local Church. Issued by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, this document: Provides a historical overview of the diaconate and its subsequent developments in the United States Describes the role of the diac