The Department of Permanent Deacons of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, working under the Secretariat for Clergy, has as its primary mission the formation of candidates for the Permanent Diaconate.  These candidates, along with their spouses for those who are married, undergo a program designed to respond to the human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral dimensions of the diaconate in our times.

Under the direction of the Archbishop of Philadelphia, and with fidelity to Vatican and National Norms, the Department of Permanent Deacons seeks to prepare deacons who will serve our Archdiocese through the ministry of the word, of the altar and of charity.

In order to carry this out, the Department is committed to a Program of Formation which provides:

• Spiritual formation by means of spiritual direction, days of recollection,
  spiritual conferences and an annual retreat.

• Intellectual formation through weekly classroom instruction

• Human & pastoral formation through workshops and practica.

In addition, the Department of Permanent Deacons assists the Secretary for Clergy in providing pastoral care and continuing formation for deacons.  All of these activities are undertaken with complete fidelity to the Magisterium of the Church and in complete communion with the Archbishop of Philadelphia.


For more information click here