Deacon Formation Program

 

Archdiocese of Chicago

 

University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary

All potential Aspirants need the support of a sponsoring pastor.

All applications are requested through and submitted by the pastor.

 

If you would like to take the first step of inquiry—please fill out the Pre-Application Form and email your completed form to Administrative Assistant Deacon Jim Cozzo. Jr. at jcozzo@usml.edu. The Director of Formation will contact you directly.

 

What are we looking for in an applicant?

 

Deacons must be involved in the world. As the National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States tells us, “ The diaconate is lived in a particularly powerful way in the manner in which a deacon fulfills his obligations to his secular occupation, to his civic and public responsibilities, and among his family and neighbors. This … enables the deacon to bring back to the Church an appreciation of the meaning and value of the Gospel as he discerns it in the lives and questions of the people he has encountered.” paragraph 58

 

“The deacon is ordained precisely for service in both the sanctuary and the marketplace.” paragraph 59

 

The Deacon Formation Program is looking for men who are already living a lifestyle of service to their Church and their community, men whose lifestyles of service would be further strengthened and sacramentalized by the reception of Holy Orders.

 

We are looking for men who:

 

· Are of service to others, both in their Church and secular communities.

· Have the ability to articulate their faith.

· Are in love with the Lord.

 

In other words, we are looking for men who have the heart of a deacon.

 

 

Model standards for application to the DFP

 

Ministerial involvement

· Have a verifiable record of service to the parish community in ministry of the Word, Liturgy, and Charity and Justice.

· Be passionate about the Church’s mission of charity and justice, and involved in these ministries.

 

Vocational support

· Recommended by your pastor and have the full support of the pastoral staff.

· Have the full consent of your wife (if married) and family.

· Also, your wife must possess the Christian moral character to support your vocation, and must be willing to participate in those formation program activities where her presence is required.

 

Stability of life

· Be of good moral character with an active spiritual and prayer life that incorporates Catholic worship (Eucharist/Mass) regularly and the Sacrament of Penance frequently.

· Be fully initiated (baptized, confirmed, received Eucharist) into the Catholic Church for at least three years and be living a life that adheres to Catholic teaching.

· If married, should be in a stable, valid and sacramental marriage for at least three years (Catholic Matrimony).

· If divorced, living a chaste lifestyle and decree granted at least three years prior to application.

· If widowed, living a chaste lifestyle for at least three years.

· If single, living a chaste lifestyle and be willing to commit to a lifetime of celibacy at ordination (Chastity refers to correct moral living based on Catholic Christian moral teaching and celibacy refers to not being married).

 

Age, residency, health, employment

· Be at least 31 and not older than 62 at the time of application.

· Reside in the Archdiocese of Chicago (Cook or Lake Counties).

· Be in good physical and mental health, and, if addicted, actively in recovery.

· Financially self-sufficient with a history of steady employment.

 

Education and background

· Have at least a high school diploma or GED, with an ability to do the required college-level academic work of the program.

· Have completed a criminal background check, Code of Conduct form, Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System form (CANTS), attended Protecting God’s Children (Virtus) awareness program as well as Mandated Reporter Training,  undergo routine physical examination (men and women) and psychological inventory (men only), and (if married) participate in a marriage inventory.

 

· Provide all required documentation with application.