What is a Deacon?
Deacons represent the Catholic Church in its calling as servant in the world. We reveal the servanthood of Christ in which people share.
There are two kinds of deacons in the Catholic Church. The transitional deacon, who is preparing for priesthood, and the permanent deacon, a deeply spiritual and prudent man, who after years of study and training, assists the pastor and serves the church and its people.
Permanent deacons are representatives of Jesus Christ who minister to God’s church. Strengthened by sacramental grace, they serve the people of God and are ministers of the liturgy, Gospel and works of charity. Deacons are the guardians of the true treasures of the church – the body and the blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ and the people of his church.
Role of a Deacon
Pope Paul VI outlined the role of a deacon as follows:
- Assist the bishop and priests during liturgical services regarding all those matters assigned to the deacon by the liturgical books for the various rights
- Administer baptism solemnity
- Reserve the Eucharist and to give communion to himself and others, bring viaticum to the dying and give benediction with the monstrance or ciborium
- Assist marriage in the name of the church, when no priest is available, and, with the bishop’s or pastor’s delegation, to impart the nuptial blessing
- Administer sacramentals and preside at funerals and burial rites
- Read the books of Scripture to the faithful, to instruct and exhort the congregation
- Preside at offices of worship and prayer services, when no priest is available
- Lead celebrations of the work, especially in places where there is a lack of priests
Such is the liturgical service deacons render to God and God’s people in the celebration of the Eucharist, other sacramental rites and communal prayer.
Apply to the Permanent Diaconate
To apply for admission to the Aspirancy Path of formation for the Permanent Diaconate in the Archdiocese of Atlanta, a man must meet the requirements explained in the following document.
Applications will be accepted from any man who has attended the two required information/inquiry sessions. These men will receive the application form by email. Please save it on your hard drive and start to complete it, saving every time you add new information.
All application material should be submitted as a single application package with the exception of transcripts and sacramental records, which may be submitted once the applicant receives them.
The last day to receive applications is February 15 of the following year. Any application received after this date will be considered for next year’s process. Applicants should bear in mind that the interview and evaluation process can take between 8-9 months. Successful applications will be admitted to the Aspirancy class that begins on the last Saturday of January following their acceptance.
Submit hard copy applications (NOT INCLUDING APPENDIX 4) to:
Associate Director of Formation, Office of the Permanent Diaconate
Archdiocese of Atlanta
2401 Lake Park Drive SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
SUBMIT APPENDIX 4 TO:
Delegate for Canonical Affairs, Office of the Vicar for Religious
Attn: Br. Nicholas Wolfa
Archdiocese of Atlanta
2401 Lake Park Drive SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
NOTE: DO NOT return appendix 4 with your submission to the Office of the Permanent Diaconate.
Formation Program
The Permanent Diaconate Formation Program prepares men spiritually, academically and pastorally for ordination and to assist the church in its mission of salvation of souls.
Men who are called and chosen will be formed and sent to teach, to guard, bear witness and to serve the church through the example of their lives and their ministries of Word, service and charity.
Pray for Our Deacons in Formation
Please pray for our candidates preparing to become permanent deacons within the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
Class of 2027
Mark Woo
Andrew Shen
David Schulze
Dennis Rosenthal
Martir Machado
Class of 2028
Eric Williams
Tim Standard
Carlos Levisohn
Edward Kujawski
James Hill
Matthew Gries
Shawn Buckley
Class of 2029
Daniel Redman
Jeffrey Newman
Gerald Mairena
Bill Leis
John Hogan
Johan Fernando
Class of 2030
Robert Snipes
Jorge Silva
Thomas Sheehan
Anthony Nettuno
Paul McAdam
Lee Golusinski
Javier Garcia
Sean Gallagher
Danny Daigle
Orlando Cruz
Class of 2031
Doug Jones
Garrett John
Matthew Ingram
Paul Hunton
Ray Gonzalez
Patrick Chieh
Sig Chiclana
Stacy Chadwick
Visiting Clergy Protocol
For deacons from other dioceses planning to visit the Archdiocese of Atlanta, please follow the requirements outlined on the Visiting Clergy Protocol webpage.
Visiting Clergy ProtocolDiaconate Directories
For deacons from other dioceses planning to visit the Archdiocese of Atlanta, please follow the requirements outlined on the Visiting Clergy Protocol webpage.
