What is a Deacon?

A deacon is a man ordained to a ministry of service. He is an ordained person living in the lifestyle of the laity—over 90 percent are married. The deacon's service is threefold: service of the Word (proclaiming the Gospel message, teaching, conducting retreats, counseling), service of the altar (witnessing marriages, baptizing, presiding at wakes and funerals, conducting prayer services), and service of charity (serving the poor, giving voice to those who are silenced, being involved in social justice).

In the Catholic Church, deacons are "the eyes and ears of the bishop;" that is, they are the bishop’s immediate representatives in the execution of his concerns. They are his extended "sense perception" among the people. Deacons take note of the moral condition of the people, identify the sick and the needy, and oversee the bishop’s decisions concerning them. People often approach the bishop with their concerns through the deacons. On a practical level, most deacons assist pastors in their local parishes with the many and varied pastoral tasks of the parish.

The Permanent Diaconate Program for the Diocese of Fargo was founded in 1978. There are currently 49* ordained permanent deacons serving the parishes of Eastern North Dakota. Additionally, there are several candidates studying for the Diaconate. Deacons in the Diocese of Fargo participate in nursing home care, ministry to the sick and homebound, jail ministry, St. Vincent de Paul, marriage preparation, alcohol and drug abuse ministry, peer counseling, Habitat for Humanity, wake and funeral services, baptism and communion services, RCIA, and many other Church ministries.
*49 total. 16 retired. 33 "active". 1 serving outside the diocese. 32 "active" permanent deacons serving within the Diocese of Fargo.

3-fold mission of the permanent diaconate.
     Diakonia liturgiae - Liturgy: serving at the altar, sacristan
     Diakonia verbi - Word: preaching, teaching, evangelizing
     Diakonia caritatis - Charity: serving the poor, imprisoned, elderly, ...

• 8 weekends during August & May, plus a 4-day retreat in January for both husbands & wives
• Friday 7pm - 9pm;  Saturday 8am - 7:30pm;  Sunday 8am - 1pm (includes morning Mass)
• 4 - 10 hours of reading and studying outside of class each month
• Yearly evaluations
• Application for Candidacy and spousal letter of support required the spring of second year
• Positive vote by Holy Orders Commission after second year to proceed to Candidacy

• 12 weekends during August & May, plus a 4-day retreat in January for both husbands & wives
• Friday 7pm - 9pm;  Saturday 8am - 7:30pm;  Sunday 8am - 4pm (includes morning Mass)
• 4 - 10 hours of reading and studying outside of class each month
• Plus 3 - 4 hours of Apostolic activities each week beyond study time
• Yearly evaluations; Yearly vote by Holy Orders Commission to proceed to next step of formation
• Final year comprehensive exam and additional 5-day retreat, for men only, prior to ordination

The Diocese of Fargo Permanent Diaconate is a 5-year formation program. Prospects for the next formation group must be born between January 1965 and December 1994. Talk to your parish priest or deacon if you are discerning this vocation. They will be happy to answer your questions and walk with you on this journey. 

Fall 2024 - Applications open.
August 2025 - Next formation class begins.