There is no simple answer to the question “Am I called to be a deacon?”  However, we believe that God’s will can be discovered by the person of faith through personal prayer, competent spiritual direction and recognition that the Church has the obligation to discern if such a vocation is truly present. 

Certain personal, social and spiritual qualities are required for ordained ministry. These are generally of two kinds: those that pattern the candidate in the likeness of Christ and those required to meet the special needs of the local Church at a particular time and place.

Anyone contemplating a vocation to the diaconate should be actively involved in ministry in his local community and/or parish.  A candidate’s desire to be a deacon is never sufficient in itself.  He must, in addition, wait on the prayerful, enlightened decision of the Church.