Since 1972, St. Augustine's has provided a formation program for candidates for ordination to the Permanent Diaconate in the Archdiocese of Toronto. The program is under the direction of the President-Rector of the Seminary.

The main focus is to prepare candidates for the ministry of service towards the dispossessed and disadvantaged, those who have been pushed to the fringe of civil society by such things as poverty, sickness, crime and age. The ministry of the liturgy and the ministry of the word celebrate and reflect the deacon's ministry of service.

The Diaconate Formation Program is open to all men of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto who meet the basic requirements. The candidate should:

• Call the Director of Deacons at the Catholic Pastoral Centre, (416) 934-3400.
• Be prepared with his wife to attend an interview at St. Augustine's Seminary.
• Submit a letter of recommendation from his pastor.
• Undertake a tape-recorded 54-question interview.
• Complete the diaconate formation program application form with the required documentation.
• Experience a screening process of approximately six months, which will determine eligibility for acceptance as an aspirant into the initial stage of formation.