Process of Becoming a Deacon

1. The following are the minimum requirements at time of application (see application windows below):
   • No younger than 35;
   • No older than 60;
   • U.S. citizen or permanent resident;
   • Lifelong Catholics must have received all three sacraments of initiation at least three years prior to applying;
   • Applicants recently received into the Church must have reached their fifth anniversary prior to applying;
   • If married, must be in a sacramental marriage at least five years;
   • If a widower, must be widowed at least five years;
   • Must have at least a High School diploma or GED;
   • Must be in good standing with the Church;
   • Must be actively involved in parish ministry for at least three years.
2. Meet with your pastor to express your interest in the formation program.
3. If your pastor supports your desire to apply, email the Director of Formation to let him know of your interest and your pastor’s support.
4. The pastor must then do the following:
   • Call the Director of Formation to discuss why he believes you may be called to be a deacon. The Director, if he concurs, will then send the pastor Form A (Pastor’s Recommendation) of the application.
   • Pastor fills out Form A and submits to the Office of the Permanent Diaconate.
5. Once the Director of Formation has reviewed Form A, he will then inform you as to whether you should apply.
6. The Director of Formation will then invite qualified applicants to schedule an interview with the Diaconate Board.
7. Qualified applicants will then undergo a psychological evaluation.
8. The Diaconate Board will recommend qualified applicants to the Vicar for Clergy, and then to the Bishop for a decision.

APPLICATION WINDOWS

Class of 2031: Closed

Class of 2033: July 1, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027

Class of 2035: July 1, 2028 – Jan. 31, 2029

1. Formation is a 5½ year program. This includes a nine-month period of discernment as well as academic formation and practicums.
2. Academic formation is done through St. Leo University.
3. The men in formation normally meet for class on the third Saturday and Sunday of every month:
   • Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (including Mass), and
   • Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
4. Classes are held at Our Lady of the Hills Church, 120 Marydale Lane, Columbia, SC 29210.
5. The men in formation will shadow their pastors, priests, and deacons in their various ministerial duties (e.g. hospital visits, funerals, wakes, baptisms, weddings, etc.).
6. We require the wives to attend all classes during the discernment year. We encourage them to attend classes at any time, but the bishop asks that the wives attend at least four classes per academic year.
7. If a man in formation needs to take a leave of absence, he will normally be invited to rejoin formation where he left off, with a different formation class.
8. At the end of the school year, the Director of Formation sends each pastor the grades for his respective candidate(s).

1. The total cost of formation includes St. Leo tuition, professor travel and lodging, facility rental, and lunch on Saturdays.
2. These costs are shared between the diocese, the candidate’s parish, and the candidate. As a result of the parish’s financial commitment, newly ordained deacons will normally serve at the parish a minimum of three years.
3. St. Leo limits each class to 25, however, if space is available, we invite wives to pursue a master’s degree along with the men. Wives who choose to take classes for a degree will be responsible for paying full tuition after the diocesan discount.

For 2025-2026

Candidate tuition for the year is as follows:

• Costs for Discernment Year are borne by the parish
• Full tuition for Master’s Program — $1,500 per year
• Full tuition for Undergraduate Program — $1,000 per year
• Full tuition for Audit Program (for those with a postgraduate religious degree) — $800 per year

The diocese pays St. Leo directly. The diocesan Office of Finance invoices each parish and student their portion. Candidates are billed approximately 1/3 of their total each semester. Payment is due upon receipt.

1. The Director of Formation, in consultation with the Director of the Permanent Diaconate, will evaluate each candidate annually.
2. This evaluation will decide whether the man will continue.
3. Grades, participation, personal development, and involvement in their parish will be the determining factors for the evaluation.