By EMMALEE ITALIA
Contributing Editor
For diaconate candidates to be ordained May 18, 2024, their second-to-last semester of formation has been focused on pastoral experiences – preparing to serve as deacons, particularly in preaching the Gospel. Their spring session will shift to practicum, or as Father Christopher Colavito called it, the “nuts and bolts” of diaconate ministry.
“Practicum is the actual practice of serving as a deacon at the Mass, as well as at a Baptism or matrimony – how you physically do it,” explained Father Colavito, who is the diocesan Director of Vocations and Director of the Permanent Diaconate Formation Program. “[This includes] how to prepare the altar, how to actually do the Baptism itself, moving beyond the theology learned in classes” as well as the specifics for celebrating larger occasions like the Easter Vigil Mass.
Having completed four years of Seton Hall seminary classes in May 2023, the fall semester of their fifth year concluded Dec. 11 with a Christmas dinner hosted by Father Colavito for the candidates and their spouses. The evening included an opportunity for the men to give feedback on the diaconate program, particularly the fall session, which comprised visits to numerous parishes of the Diocese.
The weekly parish visits included practicing delivering homilies before their classmates in different churches, as well as insights offered by their deacons and pastors.
“Some were a little surprised when we practiced homilies for Baptisms – they aren’t done from the ambo or the sanctuary,” Father Colavito said. “You have to be able to stand there in the midst of everything going on and do a homily,” as well as navigate the physical aspects, such as “where is the baptismal font, what is the layout of the church, and how many kids and families?”
He noted that this was a primary reason for having the candidates travel to different parishes each week. “You never know if you’re going to be moved to another parish,” so preparing for a variety of buildings was important. “The difference in acoustics were a surprise, too – it definitely affects how you preach and how your voice carries.”
Throughout the summer and fall, the candidates were encouraged to “shadow” their own parish deacons or those in neighboring parishes in various ministries – pre-Cana, wedding rehearsals, baptisms, funerals and wake services, annulments and ministry to the homebound.
Some candidates in smaller parishes had to work harder to find ministry practice, but a self-imposed text chain among the classmates kept each other informed of opportunities. Many of the men agreed that where they will be most public in their ministry – serving at Mass and giving homilies – they would appreciate the most practice.
“I encourage them to go to their parishes as often as possible, when no one is there, and practice using incense, carrying the Book of the Gospels, reading the Gospel from the ambo and giving a homily,” Father Colavito said.
In January the candidates will begin their practicum with Father Michael Hall, director of the Office of Worship. Meanwhile, their feedback on the classes and training will be used to reshape the diaconate program before recruitment begins in September for the next set of candidates beginning studies in fall 2025.