Aspirancy I
Once you complete the inquiry application and have been given the approval to proceed with the Aspirants application, you will be sent an application in the mail. The following link is for the checklist for the Aspirancy application
Please note: all applicants must be sponsored by their parish to receive any scholarship funds.
Diaconal Formation is a process of spiritual, human, intellectual and pastoral growth spanning a period of several years. The principal components of this growth comprise the following dimensions.
Spiritual Dimension –
The fostering in the aspirant to diaconal ministry of the spirituality appropriate to a deacon. Emphasis is placed on conforming the man into the image of Christ the Servant through growth in personal and liturgical prayer. Personal private prayer in the form of a Holy Hour, Eucharistic Adoration, contemplation, and the rosary are complemented by liturgical prayer through participation in Mass, reception of Holy Communion and the Liturgy of the Hours. All aspirants to diaconal ministry must be under the care of an approved spiritual director.
Human Dimension –
The fostering in the aspirant of those aspects of integral human growth that enable the potential deacon to be a bridge between Christ and the world. Emphasis is placed on helping the man to recognize his personal strengths and gifts, which should be nurtured and enhanced. Attention is also given to helping the man become aware of his own limitations and weaknesses so that he may learn to overcome and transform them. A high priority is placed on strengthening the married candidate’s marriage and fully involving his wife in formation. Unmarried candidates are encouraged to develop a healthy and integral lifestyle of intentional celibacy.
Intellectual Dimension –
The fostering in the aspirant of the intellectual growth necessary to enable him to represent the church as an ordained minister of the Gospel. A full range of formal instruction is given in philosophy, systematic and pastoral theology, Scripture, canon law, moral and social teachings, sacraments and liturgy, homiletics, and Spiritual Formation.
Pastoral Dimension –
The fostering in the aspirant of the ability to function competently as a minister in a range of diocesan and parish pastoral settings. The candidate participates in field education in ministry to the poor, the sick, the homeless, and the incarcerated. Emphasis is placed on the role of the deacon at Mass, leading communion services and officiating baptisms, marriages, and funeral rites.
Timeline of Formation:
6 months to 1 year.
Aspirancy I
Following formal admission by the bishop, the first two years of formation are called the Aspirancy Period (also called in Vatican documents the Propaedeutic Period). During Aspirancy the focus of the formation classes and exercises is on introducing the aspirants to the nature of the diaconate and beginning the process of spiritual and human formation through prayer, spiritual direction and reflection on the individual’s gifts and personality traits. Some formal academic training is also presented during the Aspirancy years. These years also include 7 weekends of formation and one additional Saturday.
Application to Formation
The Diocese of Buffalo initiates diaconal formation classes every fall with each class comprising approximately 5 years of formation. The new classes begin every September. Application needs to be in by no later than June 1st. to begin in the fall with Aspirancy. The requirements for admission and the details of the application are given in the links below. Additional documentation is supplied by the Diaconate Office once the Inquiry Application is completed.
Please return the forms to: