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Program Overview

PERMANENT DIACONATE PROGRAM

Program Description

The Permanent Diaconate Program at St. Peter’s Seminary assists men who feel called to ordained service in the Church as permanent deacons. It offers a structured path of formation, theological education, and discernment for those wishing to serve in a lifelong vocation of charity, liturgy, and the Word.

This program is available to men who have been accepted by their bishop to begin the journey toward ordination to the Permanent Diaconate. Candidates typically balance formation with ongoing family life and professional commitments. This program is not open to general lay enrollment.

Restored after 1500 years by Second Vatican Council, the Diaconate is rooted in the New Testament Church. The apostles chose deacons to help them respond to the pressing needs of the infant Church and to maintain fidelity to its mission of service. Deacons are called to embody the ideal of every follower of Christ, to be “one who serves.” (Luke 22:27) 

A Permanent Deacons is:

An ordained minister of the Church, ordained in the persona of Christ the Servant. The permanent deacon is  ordained to be a witness to the Gospel through a life of service. The deacon serves the Church and the Diocese in a designated service, in the form of a charitable outreach to his community. The deacon is assigned to a parish, as his liturgical base, where he assists the pastor, as needed, in his sacramental ministry and his ministry of the Word of God.

A Permanent Deacon serves in a threefold ministry:

Through the permanent deacon’s ministry of Charity, he serves the community and his parish in various ways, ministering to those experiencing spiritual, social, educational and physical, as well as economic poverty.  A deacon serves through his person-to-person encounters.  He ministers to the poor, the aged, the sick, prisoners. He may participate in programs dealing with community problems like substance or child abuse. The deacon may work with youth and young adults in various parish or community programs. The deacon is called to be a positive influence for change in the world through his witness to social justice so that society may be renewed by Christ and transformed into the family of God.

As minister of Word, the deacon proclaims the Gospel, at Mass and through his personal example. He is an agent of evangelization, that is, of announcing the Good News of Christ in society. He may also preach at liturgical gatherings, teach in religious education programs, sacramental preparation programs, e.g., baptism, marriage, RCIA. 

As minister of Sacrament, the deacon may assist at Mass, administer the sacrament of Baptism outside Mass, witness marriage vows outside Mass, preside at funeral vigils and funerals outside Mass, administer some sacramentals, and preside at prayer services and Benediction.

In all that he does, the permanent deacon acts as a servant of the Church. He is called to embody the ideal of every follower of Christ, to be “one who serves” (Luke 22:27).  He  ministers as a Church leader by inspiring, promoting and helping coordinate the diakonia, self-emptying service to others, that each baptised Christian is called to undertake in imitation of Christ, the Servant (John 13:12-15).

The Permanent Diaconate Formation & Study Program

For The Diocese of London

Vision

The Permanent Diaconate Formation & Study Program will provide an integrated formation for those called to be permanent deacons in the Diocese, specifically preparing them for their ministries of Charity, Word and Sacrament.  It will strive to form deacons who embody

 “The Heart of a Servant and the Mind of the Church” (COR MINISTRI ET SENSUS FIDELIUM)

Program Outline

The year prior to the start of formation is known  as the Propaedeutic Period or the Aspirancy Period. This coincides with the application process. The propaedeutic period from September to May requires the mandatory attendance of the applicant and his wife (if married) on three special Saturdays of Prayer and Discernment at St. Peter’s Seminary.

Candidates accepted into the program are required to undergo formation for a period of four years. In that period, they attend one weekend (Saturday and Sunday) a month from September to June at St. Peter’s Seminary, for spiritual, intellectual, pastoral and human formation. In addition, they meet twice a month with a mentor couple (a deacon and his wife) in a designated area such as a parish meeting room or a home, for discussion, prayer and reflection. During the summer candidates are expected to engage in directed readings, and a designated service activity.

The Four Pillars of Formation

The spiritual formation process integrates doctrinal, theological, biblical and ministerial development for the expression of a life lived in Christian faith. The candidates are guided in methods of prayer, meditation and self-awareness. On study weekends each class meets for communal prayer, Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours, and a shared reflection on a given theme. Candidates are required to make an annual retreat. Candidates are required to have an ordained spiritual director for the four years of the formation program.

The Intellectual formation encompasses foundational studies in Scripture, Church History, Fundamental Theology, Dogmatic Theology, Christian Morality, Spiritual Theology, Liturgy and Canon Law.

The pastoral formation interfaces with the spiritual and theological formation of the deacon as it prepares the candidate for the Church’s ministry of Word, Liturgy, and Charity. Studies include, Proclamation of the Word, Liturgy, Community Life, Social Justice, Pastoral Judgement, Ministry of Charity Placement, and Parish Life Placement.

The human formation includes studies in Relational Maturity, Human Qualities, Ability to Relate, Affective Maturity, Formation and Education of Moral Conscience and Identification of Gifts.

The Application Process

A person can offer himself as a candidate for the diaconate, but he must be called by the Church and its leadership before he can be ordained. The call to diaconal service is identified and affirmed over a period of 5 years by acceptance, participation, completion and recommendation of the formation program.

In terms of qualifications, the Church seeks mature Catholic men who have demonstrated faith, service and leadership in their local Church communities. They must share the contemporary Church’s view of its mission and seek to grow in understanding as well as holiness.

Single or married men over 35 may be ordained. The wife of a married man is involved in the discernment process since a fully committed marriage underlies the ministry of married deacons.

Applicants must enjoy the health, time and academic ability needed for the years of preparation. After ordination, they must make specific commitments of time ( 10 – 15 hours per week) and talent to the Church without compromising their family, marital or job responsibilities.

Prerequisites for Application
  1.  A Roman Catholic who is a permanent resident of the Diocese of London and registered in a parish in the Diocese of London
  2.  Recognized by others as a man of faith, moral integrity and commitment
  3.  Active in parish or community service, demonstrating maturity, and leadership
  4.  Between 35 and 60 years of age at the time of application to the Program
  5.  Academically, psychologically, and physically capable of participation in formation and ordained ministry
  6.  Financially stable and able to support yourself and your family from your secular employment or pension income
  7.  Able to commit 10 – 15 hours per week to formation and ordained ministry
  8.  Free from any outstanding Church law issue, such as a failed marriage not yet annulled
  9.  If married: validly married for at least 7 years, with a strong marital relationship and supported by your wife in your decision to apply to the Program
  10.  Aware of Church law concerning celibacy should your wife die
  11.  If single: committed to a healthy moral single lifestyle and aware of Church law requiring celibacy after ordination
  12.  English language proficiency is required. This may be demonstrated through prior academic experience in English or standardized test scores where applicable.

Attendance at an In-person Information Session

Attendance at one of these sessions is mandatory:

  • In-person Information sessions are held in the various Deaneries around the Diocese of London.
  • They are held in late April and May in 2026 and every other year after (2028, 2030 and so on)
  • These sessions are advertised on the Diocese website, on social media, PD Brochures, and your parish bulletins.

Submission of the Inquirer Registration Form

After an Interview and consideration by the Admission Committee, an Inquirer will be notified whether he may apply for admission to the Permanent Diaconate Formation and Study program or not.

The inquiry form is at the bottom of this page.

INQUIRE

Requirements for Acceptance into the Program

  • Meet the 12 prerequisite requirements listed above.
  • Completion of the Application phase and the admissions discernment year
  • Psychological assessment, letters of recommendation, and an interview process are part of the admissions discernment
  • If married, your wife’s approval of entry into the program is required
  • Applicants must be formally accepted into the Permanent Diaconate formation process by their diocese

Are you curious about what it’s like to study at St. Peter’s Seminary? View our Graduate Stories page to find out more!

Graduate Stories
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Contact

Please feel free to email us or submit your inquiry form. We’d be happy to hear from you.

Email Here

If you have questions, you may contact us directly at: gerard.vanschyndel@spseminary.ca    Or you can fill the form below. We look forward to connecting with you.

Director, Permanent Diaconate Program

Deacon Gerard Van Schyndel

Inquire

Permanent Diaconate Inquiry/Registration Form
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