The Diaconal Community of the Diocese of Saint Cloud is one of the oldest in the nation and  dates back to 1968 when the bishops of the United States received permission from Pope Paul VI to implement the renewal of the Permanent Diaconate in this country. Four pilot training programs were established in the United States including one at St. John's University, Collegeville, Minnesota. From this program, John Scott, the first deacon for the Diocese was ordained by Bishop George Speltz in 1971.

The requirements for the Program of Formation for Permanent Deacons are:

• You are 31 years of age or older at this time.
• You were baptized Catholic or have been received into the Church more than five years ago, and you continue to participate in the sacramental life of the Church.
• If you are married, your marriage is recognized in the Catholic Church.
• If you are married, your wife supports your vocation as a deacon.
• You are involved in your parish: by participating actively at liturgy, in parish-related groups, and/or by serving the poor.
• You are in good health.
• You have the ability to study at the Master's degree level and are willing to participate in a program of formation. (An undergraduate degree is not necessarily required.)