In response to the changing demographics of parish ministry, dioceses throughout the United States have turned to the permanent diaconate as a response to the Catholic Church’s ministry needs.

The challenge of offering a high-quality formation program, however, has proved to be a formidable task for many dioceses.

Building upon its solid reputation for preparing candidates for ordained ministry, Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology has developed a program of formation for the permanent diaconate. Begun in 1999, the program addresses the intellectual, spiritual and pastoral formation requirements mandated by the Church and implemented in the national guidelines for the United States.

A Focus on the Deacon's Unique Mission 

Carefully designed to focus on the ministerial mission of the diaconate, the curriculum of the program is tailored to meet the particular needs of the diocese the deacon will serve.

Since the program was begun, Saint Meinrad has served 22 dioceses, which have ordained about 450 permanent deacons formed through the program.

For more than 150 years, Saint Meinrad has offered quality education and formation for ministry—an integrated process of personal spiritual growth, intellectual advancement, and the development of professional identity and skills.