The National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States "is an important point of reference for those Churches in which the permanent diaconate is a living and active reality." It contains the guidelines and directives to be used when preparing or updating a diaconate program and formulating policies for the ministry and life of deacons. This volume also includes Basic Standards for Readiness for the formation of permanent deacons in the United States from the Bishops' Committee on the Diaconate and the committee document Visit of Consultation Teams to Diocesan Permanent Diaconate Formation Programs. Book jacket.