Deacon Aspirant Class of 2029
By Bryan Ramsey
We are midway through our first year, and it’s been a time filled with some intense study but so much joy in discerning the process to become a deacon in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. We have only begun learning the many aspects of becoming a deacon, so I want to take this opportunity to share what a typical week looks like in the life of an deacon aspirant.
Our class is made up of 10 aspirants who come to Mary, Mother of the Church Pastoral Center (the “Mothership”) in St. Francis every Tuesday and about every other Saturday. We travel from Fond du Lac, Big Bend, Hartland, Waukesha, New Berlin, Germantown, Menomonee Falls and Milwaukee. It’s a nice mix from many reaches of the archdiocese.
Nine of us are married, so we sympathize with our lone single aspirant when conversations get a little too focused on married life. Our wives have accompanied us so far for our Saturday formation sessions. This semester and from here on that accompaniment is significantly lessened, yet a few have continued to attend. Wives can participate in any or all of the sessions, and one does just that.
Tuesdays begin with evening prayer followed by two classes. All of us have enjoyed getting to know each other for these weekly meetings and the depth of teaching and discussion. We have truly been a big support for each other early in our discernment.
Saturdays begin at 8:00 AM with morning prayer, a class, midday Mass, personal devotional time, lunch, class and two workshops with the day wrapping up with evening prayer at 5:00 PM. The time with wives has given a good perspective on what to expect in our preparations and vocation as deacon couples.
As you might gather in this brief description, we engage all week—whether in session or out—in prayer, study, theology, reflection, writing, spirituality, the Bible, the Catechism, Tradition, Saints and the many dimensions of the diaconate. And as God says about Creation, “It is good.” Our discernment continues, and we look forward to drawing closer to God and each other in this process. God willing, we hope to be ordained in May of 2029.