Vocations
Diocesan Vocations Director:
Rev. Fr. Tony Corr,
Address: Cathedral Presbytery, 38-40 Hill Street, Newry, Co. Down, BT34 1AT
Phone: 028 3026 2586
Email: frtony@newrycathedralparish.org
Qualities of a Priest
The qualities and characteristics of a perspective candidate for the priesthood:
- A personal relationship with God integrated through prayer and seen as an important and vital part of his life
- Has the ability and willingness to talk about his faith
- Has some involvement in his local parish
- Has a desire to serve others and make a difference in people’s lives
- Motivated by the mission of Jesus and ability to articulate it
- One who is approachable
- Has the ability to collaborate with others
- Takes initiative and assumes responsibility for his actions
- Recognizes the importance of the Church and the role of the Church as teacher.
- Has shown the capacity and evidence of living a chaste celibate life
- Has healthy relationships with men, women and children
- Has average intelligence, common sense
- Recognizes the need to both give and accept support from others
- Possesses a keen sense of empathy
- Has leadership skills
- The celebration of the Sacraments are important to him
- Has the ability to nurture another person’s growth
- He is open and respectful of all people
- A person of integrity
- An awareness of God’s presence
- Others have mentioned that he would make a good priest
This list does not exhaust all of the qualities needed to be an effective & holy priest.
How to Make a Decisions
Often when we are making decisions we want to know what God wants us to do. Sometimes we can get confused and worried. Apart from ‘listening to God’, knowing the ‘characteristics of God’ and praying, there is a simple method St Ignatius offers for trying to “work it out”:
| Five Attitudes |
Working It Out |
| Trust God is at work in your hopes and desires |
Be clear about what you are deciding about |
| Believe God works through your daily events and people |
Seek advice and information |
| Try to be free and not lean toward a particular choice |
List and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each option |
| Give time and energy to “working it out” |
Try to notice which option seems to bring either peacefulness or uneasiness |
| Have a basic commitment to follow God’s will as it becomes clear |
Make a decision and have God confirm it in prayer |
Some other questions might be answered in the following websites:
www.vocations.ie
www.sacredspace.ie
www.vocation.com
If you feel you may have a vocation to priesthood then please contact Fr. Tony
who will be happy to talk to you more about your calling.
You could also contact a priest in your parish, or a priest that you know,
who can help you with your discernment.
The Permanent Diaconate
Permanent Diaconate Vocations Director:
Rev. Dr. Frank Rice,
Address: Maypole Hill, Dromore, Co. Down, BT25 1BQ
Phone: 028 9269 2218
Email: info@stcolmans.org
What is the Diaconate?
The diaconate is an ordained ministry, of which there are three: bishop, priest and deacon. In December 2006, the Irish bishops announced the publication of the National Directory and Norms for the Permanent Diaconate, which has been approved by the Holy See.
The ministry dates from the time of the apostles. In the New Testament (Acts 6), the twelve apostles agreed to dedicate themselves to prayer and to the service of the word, and handed over the duty of looking after orphans and widows to others. It was from this that the ministry of the diaconate emerged.
The Second Vatican Council (1960s) introduced a rediscovery of the permanent diaconate as an important role in the Church.
Today candidates on the path to priesthood, become deacons a year before they are ordained, and during the Holy Orders for diaconate, they take on the commitment to celibacy.
The word ‘deacon’ means ‘service’.
What Deacons Do?
The diaconate is an ordained ministry, but unlike the other two ministries with Holy Orders, married men may apply to be permanent deacons. Deacons would not normally wear a clerical collar, but do wear vestments when officiating at the liturgy.
Deacons can read the Gospel, preach, baptise, preside at funerals and weddings and bring communion to the sick, but they may not anoint the sick, say Mass or hear Confessions.
Who can be a Deacon?
According to the new directory on the diaconate, candidates for the permanent diaconate will be men with a good knowledge of the Gospel, a well established spiritual life, and a proven willingness to serve others, even at some personal cost.
The minimum age for admission to the permanent diaconate is twenty-five years for a celibate candidate, and thirty-five years for a married candidate. The maximum age is sixty years. While married men may be ordained, deacons who are widowed may not remarry.
Study for Diaconate?
It will take four years for a man to become a permanent deacon – a preliminary year, before he is accepted as a candidate, followed by three years of formation, in a part-time course, involving the study of theology and philosophy, as well as pastoral, spiritual and human formation.
The Role of the Diaconate
The bishops emphasise that deacons are not a replacement for the priest. They said they were concerned that all Catholics would be helped to participate actively in the life of the Church, and “the diaconate should facilitate that rather than be in any sense an impediment to that participation”.
If you feel you may have a vocation to diaconate then please contact Rev. Frank
who will be happy to talk to you more about your calling.
You could also contact a priest or deacon in your parish, or a priest or deacon that you know,
who can help you with your discernment.
