The Josephinum Diaconate Institute of the Pontifical College Josephinum offers pre-ordination deacon formation in English and Spanish. Our programming is designed to meet the requirements of The National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States of America, 2nd ed.
The Institute’s pre-ordination coursework provides the intellectual formation needed for diaconal ministry. Courses are offered in scripture, theology, philosophy, theology, pastoral care and administration, Church history, homiletics, and more.
Dioceses that entrust the intellectual formation of their men to the Josephinum Diaconate Institute can be assured that their men receive high-quality education. Our instruction is designed to be approachable for those candidates who are new to theological study while also providing the depth to prepare them well, especially for preaching and teaching the faith.
The staff of the Institute are dedicated to helping diocesan teams in their overall program of formation. We want to be part of your team, not just a provider of educational content.
The Institute’s programming is accredited and delivered by knowledgeable instructors who are mission-driven about forming deacons for the Church. Courses from the Institute are not a series of short online videos or weekend seminars. Unlike some other online programs designed for general catechesis, the Institute’s programming is specifically designed to prepare deacons for effective ministry.
Instructors for most classes have terminal degrees in their field of instruction, and many of our instructors are deacons with years of practical knowledge from ministry which is infused into their teaching. Students have the opportunity each week to interact with their instructors and learn from their experiences.
Classes will often have students from different dioceses learning together. Students interact with each other throughout the semester on assignments and in their online course sessions. This unique approach helps students create new friendships and to experience the richness of the Church from different parts of North America and the rest of the world.
The Institute has organized a model Core Curriculum from the course catalog that can serve as a model for a five-year pre-ordination formation program. This curriculum is available in both English and Spanish. Dioceses may customize this curriculum to meet their individual needs.
Many deacon aspirants do not have prior training in theology or scripture. To respond to this need, the Institute provides introductory courses that can be included in the curriculum prior to candidacy, such as Introduction to Sacred Scripture, Introduction to Catholicism, and Philosophy for Understanding Theology. These courses are included in the model core curriculum and provide a strong foundation for further studies.
The Church’s mission to Spanish speaking communities is essential. Many dioceses need deacons who can serve Spanish speaking congregations. An increasing trend is to organize mixed cohorts of English and Spanish speaking deacon candidates in formation together.
The Institute offers the pre-ordination core curriculum in Spanish, taught by Spanish-speaking faculty. This unique offering allows mixed-language cohorts to study the same coursework, each in their preferred language. Our Spanish programming has been well received and is helping to meet the challenge of serving native Spanish speakers, who form the fastest-growing demographic in the Church in North America.
The Pontifical College Josephinum is a pontifical seminary with the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States as its chancellor. As part of the Josephinum, the Institute’s formation programming is built on a strong educational tradition of forming men for ministry and faithful to Church teaching.
For many individuals, geography, time conflicts, work schedule, and lack of access to reliable theological instruction prevent them from attending in-person classes. Utilizing our online platform, the Institute provides a strong and trustworthy option for those wishing to pursue theological studies from anywhere in the world. Our approach is an especially good fit for geographically large dioceses where students are spread out over many miles and cannot easily drive to a seminary or other central location to attend class.
Some dioceses have individuals or small numbers of men in formation. The Institute provides cost-effective programming for these men by incorporating them into classes alongside students from other dioceses. These students receive the additional benefits of creating fraternity with others who are also in formation and hearing the experiences of ministry in other parts of the country and beyond.
Interested in learning more about our pre-ordination formation offerings? Contact the Institute today and see how we can partner with you.