The National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States of America

by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

With gratitude to permanent deacons for their service to the People of God, the USCCB presents this second edition of the National Directory for the permanent diaconate in the United States! The National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and Life of Permanent Deacons in the USA, 2nd Ed., is an essential document for dioceses to grow and sustain the permanent diaconate. Reflecting on fifty years’ experience since the establishment of the permanent diaconate in the United States, this National Directory, second edition, harmonizes diaconal formation and ministry practices. The second edition focuses on the identity of the deacon as “a living icon of Christ the Servant within the Church” (Basic Norms) and emphasizes the deacon as a minister of Word, Liturgy, and Charity in the Christian community. The norms in this second edition are required for use and go into effect on June 9, 2022. The diocesan bishop, and those who assist him, will use the national norms in this directory to help prepare and sustain deacons in their pastoral ministry. The norms will guide dioceses, as they prepare and update diaconal formation programs and accompany deacons in their life and ministry. Diaconate directors responsible for the day-to-day implementation of these diaconal norms will especially rely on these norms. This national directory will also be a solid source of reflection for both new and seasoned permanent deacons, to strengthen their call and ministry in the Church. It would be great for every permanent deacon to have a copy!

208 pages, Paperback

Published September 3, 2021

About the author

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is the episcopal conference of the Catholic Church in the United States. Founded in 1966 as the joint National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB) and United States Catholic Conference (USCC), it is composed of all active and retired members of the Catholic hierarchy (i.e., diocesan, coadjutor, and auxiliary bishops and the ordinary of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter) in the United States and the Territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the bishops in the six dioceses form their own episcopal conference, the Puerto Rican Episcopal Conference (Spanish, Conferencia Episcopal Puertorriqueña). The bishops in U.S. insular areas in the Pacific Ocean – the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Territory of American Samoa, and the Territory of Guam – are members of the Episcopal Conference of the Pacific (Latin, Conferentia Episcopalis Pacifici).

The USCCB adopted its current name in July 2001. The organization is a registered corporation based in Washington, D.C. As with all bishops' conferences, certain decisions and acts of the USCCB must receive the recognitio, or approval of the Roman dicasteries, which are subject to the immediate and absolute authority of the Pope.