Diaconate formation is a magnificent journey for men and their wives. It was one of the best things my husband and I did as a couple. Upon his ordination, I willingly offered him in service to the church. Although diaconate formation primarily focuses on the men who may be ordained one day, wives are required to attend certain classes each year and to provide yearly consent to their husband’s continuing participation in diaconal formation.

As my husband began diaconate formation, I initially thought it was only about the men discerning the call to serve God and his church. I did not realize the enormous impact it would have on me. In diaconate formation, I encountered Christ, gained a deeper understanding of my identity as a beloved daughter of God and embraced my baptismal call to service. As I walked with my husband in diaconate formation, God transformed my heart. I discovered that transformation and spiritual growth required vulnerability and humility to open and surrender my heart to God.

For many of us, when we start a journey, we focus on what we need for the trip and pack an overabundance of things. That is not the case for a journey through diaconate formation. It is about lightening your load, unpacking the stuff you carry, and making room so God can fill you. As St. John of the Cross said, “God does not fit in an occupied heart.”

Men in diaconate formation must discern the will of God for their lives, so they can become more fully who God calls them to be. Their wives are encouraged to do the same. By continually discerning God’s will for us, we make certain we are on the right path and remain receptive to the graces that God has for us on whatever steps we take with God by our side.

My husband and I have been blessed to walk two pilgrim routes of the Camino de Santiago in Spain. During these walks, we endeavored to stay on the right path by following the yellow arrows and shells marking the routes, and we were thankful for the graces God shared each day. The pilgrimages were not easy, but they were spiritually inspiring and incredibly worth it. This is what we also found with the diaconate formation journey. It was my greatest joy and blessing to have supported my husband’s diaconate formation and to have shared the experience with the 2019 deacon class.

For those considering embarking on the journey of diaconate formation, I encourage you to open your heart to God and to strive to be the person that God calls you to be. God will give you the strength you need for your journey. He is waiting for you with open arms.

THE DIOCESE OF AUSTIN WILL ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR THE DEACON CLASS OF 2031 BEGINNING DEC. 1.

The Office of Diaconal Ministry is offering informational sessions for those men and their wives interested in learning more about the diaconate. For more information and to register for one of these sessions, visit www.austindiocese.org/information-sessions.