Diaconate formation in the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama follows the guidance of the National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States. Formation takes place over a six year period divided into Inquiry, Aspirancy, and Candidacy.
The Inquiry program is a one year period that occurs before a man can formally apply to the Permanent Diaconate Formation program. The goals are to help the man and spouse, if married, learn more about the diaconate and the role of deacons in the Church. Understanding the overall formation process and expectations is another goal. 

The Inquiry program is an opportunity to discern if God is calling you to apply for Aspirancy. For married couples, this is a time to determine if the man has the full support of his wife and family. During the Inquiry phase, a man is encouraged to discuss with his pastor his desire to pursue diaconal formation.

After a formal application is submitted and with the approval of the bishop, the Inquirer advances to the Aspirancy period that lasts two years. The aspirant phase continues the ongoing discernment with emphasis on spiritual readiness, intellectual capacity, and pastoral abilities. The aspirant path provides the wife of a married aspirant time and information to help her ascertain her compatibility with her husband’s diaconal vocation and eventual ministry. The intellectual formation at the aspirant level teaches deeper knowledge of the faith and church tradition, as well as theology and spirituality. Prayer and reflection provide spiritual growth and time for discernment in how God is calling you. The Aspirancy concludes with a formal assessment conducted by the admission committee.

With the approval of the bishop, the aspirant advances to the Candidacy period that lasts three years. During candidacy, candidates continue their development in the human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral dimensions. There is a significant increase in academic activities during Candidacy. Candidates will engage in exercises and participate in various non liturgical ministries to expand their pastoral experiences. Candidacy is also a time for ongoing discernment by the candidate, spouse, if married, and the Church. As they advance through candidacy, candidates will be instituted as Lectors and Acolytes in preparation for their eventual ordination if approved by their formation team and bishop.

Following ordination, deacons continue their development by participating in an annual retreat as well as formal and self-guided continuing education.