Microsoft Word 2 2015 Aspirant Handbook doc

 

 

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SPIRITUAL DIMENSION 

 

It is our intention to create an environment in which you are encouraged to grow in your 

personal relationship with Jesus Christ and his mission and ministry.  To help you in this process, 

Spiritual Direction (with emphasis on the Ignatian Exercises) is an important part of the spiritual 

dimension of your formation.  All of your meetings with Formators will be grounded in prayer. 

 

 

You are expected to further deepen your prayer life.  In addition to praying the Liturgy of 

the Hours every day, we urge you to celebrate the Eucharist and Reconciliation regularly and 

read the Scripture passages associated with the daily liturgy even if you can’t attend Mass.  

Setting aside time for other forms of prayer and trying to keep focused on Jesus Christ as much 

as possible during your busy day, will enhance your spirituality.  Finally, we strongly encourage 

you to become an Extraordinary Minister of Communion and a Lector’ if you are not already 

serving in either ministry, to help you with your discernment.  

 

Goals for Spiritual Dimension Development during Aspirancy 

 

The most important goal of spiritual formation is putting on the mind of Christ.  It is that 

attitude that should govern every aspect of a deacon’s life, his relationship with other people and 

the reason for his ministry.  We will help you further develop prayerful attitudes, habits and 

practices that will enable you to have a real and never-ending spiritual life.   

 

Specific Spiritual Goals for Wives of Aspirants 

 

If you are married your formation (and eventually ordained ministry) may have an impact 

upon the spiritual life of your wife and family.  During this Aspirant year, you and your wife 

must continue to have honest and open discussions on how her spiritual life may be impacted and 

how she relates to the Church and her own journey.   

 

 

During the entire formation process, your love for each other should grow because your 

marriage is your primary vocation.  Bringing this to prayer together is one way you can enrich 

your relationship during formation.  Another is for you to go through formation together, as a 

team, as much as possible.  Failure to experience the process and grow together may be an 

indication that your wife is not involved in her own discernment. 

 

Liturgy of the Hours 

 

The Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office, is the common daily prayer of 

the Church and is prayed around the world by ordained, religious and lay-people.  You should 

use either the one volume set called Christian Prayer or the four-volume set known as Liturgy of 

the Hours.  

 

 

At ordination, one of the promises you will make to the Bishop is to pray the Liturgy of 

the Hours daily.  This includes at least the Morning, Evening and Night prayer.  However, we 

suggest you also consider the Office of the Readings (available in the four volume set).  In 

addition to purchasing, there are several web sites where the Office is available on-line. 

 

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Faith Sharing 

 

By now, you should be very familiar with faith sharing as it was an important part of your 

ministry formation experience.  Your participation in faith sharing will continue throughout your 

Aspirant and Candidate Formation during monthly meetings, spiritual direction and retreats. 

   

 

Wives may not have had an opportunity to experience faith sharing prior to your 

Aspirancy and may at first feel uncomfortable with the faith sharing during the monthly 

meetings. But, all are encouraged to actively join in faith sharing when moved by the Holy 

Spirit. 

 

Spiritual Direction 

 

Your Spiritual Director will be crucial to your formation.  He or she will accompany you, 

support you, and challenge you to look at your deepening relationship with God and the on-going 

process of conversion. Spiritual direction is mandatory. It is paid for by the Diocese, from 

September of your Aspirancy year and during Candidacy.  After Ordination, the cost is your 

responsibility.  During Formation, wives are encouraged to participate in Spiritual Direction and 

the cost will be covered by the Diocese. 

INTELLECTUAL DIMENSION 

 

As with the two previous dimensions, you have already demonstrated knowledge of the 

Catholic Faith.  During your Aspirancy, we will assist you to grow in the knowledge of your 

Faith and Church tradition.  Reading and writing assignments will be given throughout 

Aspirancy. 

 

Goals for Intellectual Dimension Development during Aspirancy 

 

There are four goals: 

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To introduce the traditions of Catholic philosophy, spirituality, and doctrine with special 

emphasis on the doctrinal understanding of the diaconate and the three-fold ministry of 

Service, Word and Liturgy (see 

DMLPD

 Chapter Two). 

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To further develop Theological Reflection skills which will be used throughout your 

formation and hopefully during your ordained ministry as a way to contemplate upon 

God’s continuous effect on your life and ministry. 

-  

To encourage you to study the Catechism of the Catholic Church. 

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To help you to continue to apply the Church’s teachings on moral matters and social 

justice issues in real life situations encountered during pastoral ministry.  This will also 

help you to understand that diakonia is the mission of the parish, the diocese and the 

world-wide Church. 

 

 

Your ability to participate in these intellectual pursuits will assist your Formators in 

assessing your readiness for the academic rigors associated with candidacy.  

PASTORAL DIMENSION 

 

Understanding the phrase “mission of Christ, the Servant” should be kept in mind 

throughout your formation because we are called to fulfill that mission through word, liturgy and 

charity or service.  The emphasis for the Pastoral Dimension during your Aspirancy is to begin 

discerning your gifts for this three-fold ministry. 

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