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Theological
and Pastoral Formation
National Conference of Catholic Bishops
along with the
Archdiocese of Los Angeles, California
The Diaconate Formation Program for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has three
main components, all of which are interrelated. The THEOLOGICAL
dimension of the program helps the deacon candidates become knowledgeable and
reliable witnesses of the faith and spokespersons for the Church's teaching. In
keeping with the guidelines for diaconate formation as established by the
National Conference of Catholic Bishops, our program includes the following
with regard to theological formation: the study of Sacred Scriptures,
Theological Foundations, Christology, Ecclesiology, Ecumenism, Church History,
Sacraments, Catholic Social Teaching, Liturgy, Canon Law, and Christian
Morality (in both its personal and social dimensions). Since an important
objective of the formation program is to prepare candidates to be effective in
pastoral ministry, this theological component is very much oriented toward giving
those in formation the appreciation and knowledge of the faith which is needed
to carry out the ministry of service, Word, and sacrament.
Our formation program also has a strong PASTORAL
focus. During the years of formation, candidates are involved in a variety of
ministries which help them become more aware of the needs and mission of the
local Church. They Experience hospital ministry, outreach to the homeless,
ministry to the imprisoned, family life ministry, and much more. Theological
reflection and ministry assessments are important dimensions of the candidates'
pastoral formation. Also, there are a variety of subjects to help participants
become skilled in pastoral practice. Among these subjects are the following:
- Liturgical Practice - the
administration of the sacraments of Baptism and Marriage, Funeral Rites,
the proclamation of the Word, and the deacon's role in assisting at the
Eucharist.
- Homiletics - preaching at the
Eucharist, at Baptisms and Marriages, and in other liturgical settings.
- Christian Social Service -
social awareness, parish social ministry, direct assistance to the needy.
- Pastoral Care - introduction
to pastoral counseling (grief ministry, communication and listening
skills, referral needs, etc.).
Furthermore, throughout the years of formation, candidates
become sensitized to the ethnic realities of the Archdiocese. In this regard
the Office of Hispanic Ministry, the Office of Asian Pacific and Ethnic Groups,
and the Office of African-American Ministry are of assistance.
The SPIRITUAL component of the formation program is
designed to help integrate the theological and pastoral dimensions. In addition
to their formal study of Scriptures, those in formation make use of a tool
called The Reverent Approach to the Word of God to help them appreciate the
living Word in their personal lives and in their faith community. Through their
participation in the Eucharist, the Liturgy of the Hours, and prayer services,
the candidates and their wives come to a fuller understanding and appreciation
of the need to deepen their prayer life on all levels: personal, familial,
communal, and liturgical. The academic curriculum includes the study of
Spirituality and Prayer so that participants become more acquainted with the
Catholic spiritual tradition. Those in formation are given the experience of
the Ignatian Exercises as one means of further discerning their vocation to
diaconal life and ministry. In order to help them in their endeavors to know
themselves more fully and to live reflectively, the candidates and their wives
are given the experience of participating in personal and relational growth
programs such as Personality and Human Relations (PRH). As part of the
curriculum, there is also an introduction to spiritual direction. Those in
formation are strongly encouraged to seek a spiritual companion to assist them
in their spiritual journey. In their four years of formation (ours was five
years), the participants develop a strong sense of Christian community through
shared Eucharist, shared prayer, shared work, shared meals and relaxation, and
shared conversation.
The entire program follows an adult learning model which includes
presentations, shared reflections, and group processes.
Theological Formation
- An introduction to the
Scriptures and to critical interpretation of the Bible: a theology of the
Old Testament; the New Testament, especially the Gospels and Epistles; the
relationship between Scripture and tradition; how to use the Scriptures in
preaching, catechesis, counseling, etc.
- Introduction to and
Theology of Hebrew Scriptures
- Study of the Psalms
- Study of New Testament
- Scriptures in
Preaching - Homiletics
- Fundamental Theology; the
sources, themes, and methods of theology; revelation, faith, and reason.
- Theological Formation
- Dogmatic Constitution
on Divine Revelation - Vatican II Documents
- The faith of the Church: the
mystery of God the Creator and Redeemer; Christology; Ecclesiology; the
role of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Christian Anthropology; Sacraments and
Liturgy, especially the Theology of Ministry.
- Christology
- Ecclesiology
- Sacraments
- Baptism, RCIA,
Marriage
- Liturgy
- Role of Mary in the
Church
- Christian Morality in both
its personal and social dimensions.
- Introduction to
Christian Morality - practical issues
- Methodology
- The Canon Law of the Church.
- Introduction to Canon
Law
- Canon Law with regard
to Baptism
- Canon Law with regard
to Marriage
- The History of the Church.
- Church History
- Early, Middle Ages,
Reformation, Modern Church
Pastoral Formation
- Liturgical practice: the
meaning of liturgy and symbol; the proper administration of the liturgical
rites and devotions; the sacraments and sacramentals; proper and effective
proclamation of the Word; and the deacon's role in assisting at the
Eucharistic liturgy.
- Liturgy of the Hours
- Oral Interpretation:
Proclaiming the Word of God
- Liturgy and Ritual
- A process for discerning the
charisms and skills for homiletic proclamation of the Word. Although every
deacon will proclaim the Word in a variety of situations, the public
proclamation of the Word in homilies at Mass, in the administration of the
sacraments, and in other liturgical rites is a particular and sacred
skill. There should be practical exercises on effective preaching.
- Homiletics
- Guided Practicums
- Baptism & Marriage
- Reflections on Social
Teachings
- Evening Prayer
- Thematic Homilies
- Courses on the principles of
Christian social justice and their implementation' parish social ministry'
skill in providing direct assistance to the needy in a respectful manner.
- Catholic Social
Teaching
- Reflections of
Church's Social Teaching
- Papal Encyclicals
- An introduction to
psychology, with particular attention to the methods of counseling
individuals and groups; recognition of the need for referral for
professional attention.
- Grief Ministry
- Introduction to
Care-giving
- Courses in sociology,
community organizations, etc., with particular attention to applications
in the local pastoral situation.
- Small Faith
Communities
- Parish Field Education
- When it is anticipated that
deacons e.g., will participate in the pastoral care of parishes or
communities, the program should provide training in the necessary
canonical, administrative and pastoral skills.
- Auxiliary programs,
e.g. - Loyola/Marymount
Spiritual Formation
- To assist the candidate, with
the help of his spiritual director and those responsible for the program,
in discerning whether or not he has a vocation to the diaconate.
- Ignatian Exercises
- One-on-one and group
experiences with deacon team members
- Personal and Human
Relations (PRH)
- Personal and
Relational Development (PRD)
- Introduction to
Spiritual Direction
- To deepen and cultivate his
commitment to Christ and the Church.
- Eucharistic
Celebration
- Prayer Services
- Study of Church
History
- retreats
- To help him integrate his new
ministerial commitment with his previous commitments to family and to
work.
- Ministry Reflection
and Assessment
- PRD
- Reverent Approach to
the Word of God
- To strengthen the personal
and ministerial charisms he has already demonstrated in his life.
- Reverent Approach to
the Word of God
- Ministry Reflection
and Assessment
- PRH
- PRD
- To develop the personal
qualities and abilities that will be needed in his ministry.
- Ministry Reflection
and Assessment
- Individual and Group
Ministry projects
- PRH
- Myers-Briggs
- To help him grow in self-
knowledge and to develop the habit of repentance and self-criticism in light
of the Gospel and of his ministerial responsibilities.
- PRH
- Ignatian Exercises
- Spiritual Direction
- To deepen his prayer-life:
personal, familial, communal, and liturgical.
- Experience of
Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius
- Liturgy
of the Hours
- Shared prayer
- Spiritual Direction
- Eucharistic
Celebrations
- Reverent Approach to
the Word of God
- To acquaint him with the
Catholic spiritual tradition, especially as reflected in classic spiritual
writings and in the examples of the saints, with contemporary developments
in spirituality.
- Prayer and
Spirituality
- Ignatian Exercises
- Selected Readings
- To prepare him for the
challenges of spiritual leadership that his ministry will entail.
- PRD - Ministry
Reflection and Assessment
- Group and individual
ministerial experiences
- Care-giving
- Ministry to the sick
- Ministry to street
people
- Detention ministry
- Family life