Microsoft Word 2 2015 Aspirant Handbook doc

 

 

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The Formators are prayer filled and are thoroughly familiar with the doctrinal 

understanding of the diaconate.  This includes the life of the deacon and his family, the deacon’s 

ministerial roles of service, the Word, and liturgy, and the human, spiritual, intellectual and 

pastoral dimensions of Diaconate Formation.  They are familiar with Ignatian Spirituality and 

will be able to support your efforts as you make the Ignatian Exercises.  Their primary goal is to 

assist you to demonstrate your Diaconate vocation, to assess your readiness to continue 

formation as a Candidate for ordination, and then make recommendations to the Director of 

Diaconate Formation. 

COVENANT BETWEEN ASPIRANTS AND FORMATORS 

 

By now, you should be aware that the process of Diaconate Formation is both demanding 

and complex.  This handbook is designed to set forth duties and obligations for both Formators 

and Aspirants, and both you and your Aspirant Formators are expected to be thoroughly familiar 

with the contents of this handbook.  Experience has shown that some of the key responsibilities 

associated with your Formation can be overlooked or forgotten as the Aspirant period unfolds.  

Therefore, key obligations associated with your formation are identified and codified, not in a 

cold and binding contract, but rather in a covenant between you and your Formators. 

 

A long time ago, God made an everlasting and divine covenant between God and his 

people, setting forth duties and obligations of both parties.  Unlike a civil contract, the divine 

covenant is based upon mutual love and respect between the parties, which are the basis for 

enforcing the terms:  “You will be my people, and I will be your God.” 

 

On your first Formation weekend, you and your Formators will prayerfully go through, 

discuss, and “cut” a covenant.  You may obtain a copy beforehand by going to the diocesan web 

site under Offices, Deacons, Initial Formation, Aspirants.  Unlike God who ratified one of many 

divine covenants by passing through two split sides of beef (see Genesis Chapter 15 from where 

the term “cut a covenant” comes), the 

Aspirant Covenant

 will be ratified by both parties through 

the signing the covenant.  Please review this covenant before each Formation session.  Your 

Formators will do the same.  

DISCERNMENT DURING THE ASPIRANCY PATH 

 

Aspirancy is a time of intense discernment by the God who loves you unconditionally, by 

yourself, by your wife if married, and by your Church.  The primary goal of Aspirancy will be 

to assist you in discerning the authenticity of your call and to look at your capability and 

readiness to be nominated to the Bishop for acceptance as a Candidate for Diaconate ordination.  

You will also be introduced to the practice of theological reflection (your experience of God in 

your everyday life), and guided toward a deeper knowledge of the spirituality and ministry of a 

deacon.  This will be accomplished through a series of monthly meetings, prayer and spiritual 

direction with emphasis on the Ignatian Exercises.  You will also be introduced to the pastoral 

ministries in the Diocese of Albany.  Finally, we will assist your family who are supporting your 

vocation and formation. 

 

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God’s Role in Discernment 

The L

ORD

 came and revealed his presence, calling out as before, ‘Samuel, 

Samuel.’  Samuel answered, ‘Speak L

ORD

, your servant is listening’. 

(1 Samuel 3:10)

   

 

Prayer is a dialog between the Lover and the beloved.  Like Samuel, you have heard a call 

from God.  Aspirancy is the time to prayerfully listen to determine the exact nature of God’s call.  

It may or may not be a call to the diaconate. 

 

 

Often, God speaks to us through our faith community.  Therefore, you must continue to 

be an active member of a Parish Community of Faith.  Maintain a close relationship with your 

pastor, administrator or parish life director and seek his/her advice throughout your formation. It 

will be necessary to curtail some of your parish activities.  However, continuing to serve as a 

Lector or Eucharistic Minister is strongly encouraged.  And listen to your faith community.  

Often, it is through the people of God that God speaks to us the loudest.  Share with your fellow 

parishioners your journey on the Aspirant Path and listen when God puts words of 

encouragement, and sometimes criticism, in their mouths. 

 

 

If you didn’t have a solid prayer life you wouldn’t have gotten this far.  It is now time for 

you to crank up your dialogue with God in what may be a new and dynamic way through the 

Ignatian Exercises.  Starting in September, you will be required to begin Spiritual Direction with 

a Spiritual Director who, for approximately thirty-two weeks, will meet with you weekly to 

guide you through the Exercises.  Thereafter, you will meet monthly with your Spiritual Director 

during the Aspirant and Candidate Formation Paths, and after ordination.  Information about the 

Ignatian Exercises may be found at: 

http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/

 

 

Spiritual Direction is paid for by the Diocese of Albany throughout the Aspirancy and 

Candidacy Paths of your formation, and if married, for your wife as well. 

First Assignment 

 

 Your first assignment is to work with your Formators as together you find a Spiritual 

Director.  The person recommended is be someone who is trained in the Spiritual Exercises.  

After this initial period, you may change your Spiritual Director with the approval of your 

Formators.   

 

Your Personal Discernment 

 

Your personal discernment began when you first heard God’s call to ministry and started 

to inquire about the diaconate.  During Aspirancy, your need to prayerfully discern your call will 

intensify and you must be honest with yourself so you can more carefully examine and confirm 

your vocation to the diaconate or identify another ministry path God may be asking you to take.  

Your Bishop, Pastor or Parish Life Director, Formators, other Deacons and their Wives, and 

Spiritual Director will help, but only you will be able to recognize how to integrate your personal 

needs, family obligations, professional life, and ministerial responsibilities during your formation 

and after ordination, while always continuing to grow in your commitment to the person and 

mission of Jesus Christ, the Servant.  It is you who must ultimately decide how you will grow in 

Christ without damaging those other relationships. 

 

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