Deacon Formation

Formation Information Nights Changing

Beginning August 2019, the Permanent Diaconate Formation Program will be accepting men every other year.  The next information sessions will be held in September, 2020.  If you wish to have your name placed on a contact list, please call Deacon Michael Riley 609-403-7134. 

The Permanent Diaconate Formation Program Begins a New Academic Partnership

Beginning with incoming classes starting in August 2019, the Permanent Diaconate Formation Program’s core academic courses will be provided by Seton Hall University’s Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology.  The NJ Dioceses of Paterson, Newark and Metuchen Diaconate Formation Programs are in an academic partnership with Seton Hall as well.

Professors from Seton Hall U. will travel to the Diocese of Trenton Chancery in Lawrence, NJ to instruct our candidates in foundational academic classes two evenings a week.  This program, taught on the graduate level, will allow those who qualify to earn a Masters of Art in Theology.  Those who do not have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent credits will receive credits toward that degree.   Each candidate who successfully completes the course requirements will also receive a Certificate in Diaconal Studies.

Pastoral courses will continue to be taught by selected, experienced personnel from the Diocese of Trenton further preparing the men to carry out the deacon’s ministry of Word, Sacrament and Charity. Although most pastoral classes will also be taught at the Chancery, some may be taught off-site. Wives are invited and encouraged to attend the pastoral courses.

The Formation Program is 5 years with classes held two evenings a week from August-May. It is consistent with the intellectual norms established in the National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States. 

Moving forward, recruitment, selection and acceptance of candidates for the Program will be done every other year. The next Diaconate Information Session which begins the selection process will be in September 2020.

Tuition and fees for the Program will continue to be divided equally among the candidate, his parish/ sponsoring entity, and the Diocese of Trenton.  

For further information concerning the Diaconate Formation Program, please review the Basic Criteria and articles on The Diocese of Trenton website (Vocations/Diaconate) or contact Deacon Michael Riley, Associate Director of the Office of Clergy (609-403-7134) mriley@dioceseoftrenton.org.