The selection process for Holy Orders is a rather lengthy and prayerful discernment period lasting usually between four and eight months.  An applicant can be "non-selected" at any part of the process based upon accumulated data.  Full selection, however, is contingent upon the successful completion of all steps.  It
should be noted that the applicant is informed by letter after each step noting whether the applicant will proceed in the process.  (View a flow chart of the selection process)

1.  Discernment                                                                                   
    The process should begin with your personal discernment on
    God's call to ordained ministry and much discussion with your
    wife, if married.  She will play a major role in this decision as
    as well as traveling with you in all aspects of formation. You
    should also have a meeting with your pastor. 

2.  Submission of the Eligibility Form by the applicant
    The process begins with completing the Eligibility Application
    Form.  The form requests some general background information
    on both the applicant and his spouse (if married).

3.  Record Check
     A police records check will be done for the applicant only.

4.  Review by Diaconate Selection Committee
    The Diaconate Selection Committee will review the application
    and make the decision to forward the applicant to the Perceiver
    Interview stage.

5.  Deacon Perceiver Interview
    This is a structured interview for the applicant only (not the wife).
     It is taped, evaluated and scored by standard criteria.  The interview
     is administered by a Deacon who has been trained by the Gallup
     Corporation who developed the interview.

6.  Submission of a full application
     This application is 10-12 pages and requests much more detailed
     information than what was presented on the Eligibility Application.
      Persona and professional references are also requested.

7.  Pastor endorsement letter and evaluation
    This request is made by Diaconate Office

8.  Evaluation by Selection Committee
     At this point the Diaconate Selection Committee will review all of
     the above material (predominately #' 4, 5 and 6 above)

9.  Home Interview at Applicants Residence
     This is an in-home interview with two deacon couples and a priest.
     It is a very informal meeting with the intent of getting to know the
     applicant and his family a little better.  The group is not looking
     for an evaluation of your housekeeping skills!

10.  Psychological Testing
      Both the applicant and his spouse will be tested.  The Archdiocese
      retains the services of a trained local clinical psychologist for this testing. 
      The applicant is sent a copy of the final report when it is issued,
      The total cost for the test is $600 and the Diaconate Office requests the
      couple pay half of that cost ($300) if they are financially able to do so.
      In the event the couple cannot afford this, the Archdiocese will pay the
      full amount. 

11.  Selection Committee Review
      The Selection Committee will review the results of the psychological
       test when it has been completed.

12. Submission of Documents
     Basically this step is to prove to the Diaconate Office that everything
      you have told us is true!  We want to see certificates of Birth, Baptism,
      Confirmation and Marriage certificates, any Divorce decrees or Nullity
      papers, High school and/or College Transcripts and any other paper
      deemed necessary.

13.  Selection Committee Review
      The Selection Committee reviews all the above items and makes the
      decision to forward the applicant to the Archbishop.

14.  Meeting With Archbishop
      A personal meeting with the Archbishop will be scheduled for the applicant
      and his spouse.  This is a very informal meeting in his office and most
      every applicant has stated they thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  This
      is the final step in the selection process.