“All of you … are called to be forces of unity within Christ’s Body.  By your personal witness, and your fidelity to the ministry or apostolate entrusted to you, you prepare a path for the Spirit.  For the Spirit never ceases to pour out his abundant gifts, to awaken new vocations and missions, and to guide the Church, as our Lord promised in th[e] Gospel, into the fullness of truth (cf. John 16:13).” – Pope Benedict XVI, Homily at Patrick's Cathedral, NY, Sat., April 19, 2008 on the occasion of his First Apostolic Journey to the United States

Christ calls each of us to serve His church in different ways.  Some are called to the priesthood, others to Holy Matrimony.  Regardless of the path the faithful have chosen, there are many opportunities to spread the Gospel messages. The Diocese of Providence has begun recruitment for the first Permanent Diaconate class since 1997.  Please review the following information if you are interested in applying for the program.

Learn more in the Rhode Island Catholic.

Additional Information (forthcoming)
Frequently Asked Questions
Official Diocesan Press Release
Rhode Island Catholic Article
Contact the Deaconate Office
Links to Additional Information

What is the Diaconate Program?
The order of the diaconate is an ancient order of the Church re-instituted as a permanent office by Pope Paul VI at the suggestion of the Second Vatican Council (1963-65). While every priest is ordained a deacon as a necessary step towards ordination to the priesthood, ordination to the diaconate does not have to be transitory. Many are ordained to what is called the permanent diaconate and serve as deacons the rest of their lives.

Deacons are men who love God and love the Church; they feel called to serve in a more committed way. The role of the deacon is to be a helper of the bishops and priests and to proclaim by his life the Church's call to serve the needs of others.

The Diaconate Program of Formation in the Diocese of Providence
The Diaconate Office assists candidates in their formation through a four year program of academic instruction, spiritual development, and practical pastoral experience. Upon completion, each man is prepared to minister as a deacon in parishes and other ministerial situations, preaching the Gospel, serving the poor and assisting in the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy of the Church.

Candidates for the Diaconate come from all backgrounds - from prior seminary experience to the worlds of the totally secular. The Program will be conducted by the Diocesan Diaconate Office and the Theology Department at Providence College. While a college degree is not necessary to enter the program, the viable candidate must be able to master materials presented at the collegiate or graduate school level.

Other criteria include:
- be a practicing Catholic layman who will be at least 31 years of age at the time of ordination and be no older than 61 on January 1st in the year of recruitment
- have a high school diploma or equivalent
- be a fully initiated Catholic in good standing with the church
- have a familiarity with Catholic Theology
- should be actively involved in ministry at either the parish or diocesan level
- if married, be in a stable marriage of at least 5 years and have the support and agreement of his wife and family to pursue a diaconal vocation
- if unmarried (being single or a widower), to be living in a lifestyle consistent with the call to the ordained ministry of the Catholic Church. The order of the diaconate is an ancient order of the Church re-instituted as a permanent office by Pope Paul VI at the suggestion of the Second Vatican Council (1963-65).

Contact Deacon Paul J. Sullivan, coordinator of Permanent Deacons at the Diaconate Office, 401/ 278-4650 or Diaconate@DioceseofProvidence.org for more information about the Diaconate Program. The office's fax number is 401/278-4515.

Description of Deacons in Paul's first letter to Timothy
“Similarly, deacons must be dignified, not deceitful, not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain, holding fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Moreover, they should be tested first; then, if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. Women, similarly, should be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in everything. Deacons may be married only once and must manage their children and their households well. Thus those who serve well as deacons gain good standing and much confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.” - 1 Timothy 3:8-13