A particular outreach to the Church in the United States led to the development of a comprehensive program for the education and formation of permanent deacons for local churches across the country.

Building on the resources and experience of Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, while taking into account the resources and specific needs of the diocese, this program provides the academic component for ordained ministry, but schedules coursework, practica and workshops in collaboration with the diocese to address specific diocesan needs.

Saint Meinrad selects and assigns faculty, both regular faculty from the Seminary and School of Theology and others who lecture as adjuncts, who go onsite into the diocese.

The diocese selects and assigns spiritual directors, mentors, facilitators of theological reflection groups, and supervisors of supervised ministry experiences.