I'm not talking about seminarians who are en-route to their last year before ordination to the priesthood... I'm just curious how common are single men who go into the seminary specifically for the diaconate?

So rare as to be essentially non-existent.

What about widowers?

Very few dioceses actually send men to seminary to become deacons; in fact, I don't know if I've ever heard of it happening. Diaconate preparation is usually a part-time endeavor.

hmm. well, thank you for the response, Father.

So is there some sort of policy or unwritten rule about such deacons being married? I mean, are unmarried men who live chastely excluded, either officially or...unofficially? Just curious...

Unmarried deacons cannot marry without dispensation. Deacons whose wives predecease them cannot remarry without dispensation.

Got it, but is there some reason why single men living in chastity are not considered for the Diaconate, Father?

Because they don't ask to be?

Oh, ok. I just didn't know if it was some policy or unwritten rule.

Over here its actually a requirement and includes must be married for 5 years

Can. 1031 §2 A candidate for the permanent diaconate who is not married may be admitted to the diaconate only when he has completed at least his twenty-fifth year; if he is married, not until he has completed at least his thirty-fifth year, and then with the consent of his wife.


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That's the only distinction in law. I don't think there's even an unwritten policy because I don't think unmarried men apply, pretty much ever.

I know a guy who is training to be a Salesian deacon. He won't marry so I presume any deacon in a religious order can't marry?

Religious all take a vow of celibacy, so no, they can not marry.

What's a requirement? That diaconal candidates be married?