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 40 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.

The Diocese of Fargo Permanent Diaconate is a 5-year 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. Call the Vocation Office if you would like to be notified of upcoming informational events. Continue to check here for any specific updates.

Winter 2023 & Spring 2024 - Begin watching for informational events. Dates TBD.
Fall 2024 - Applications open.
August 2025 - Next formation class begins.