Novitiate

The Novitiate provides a special time and environment for the nurturing of a growing vocation; it does not give birth to the vocation. The Novitiate builds upon what is already under way in a person's life. It serves to mature and clarify a vocation in accordance with the religious life style and the special charism of the Society.

The novice during this time must deepen his understanding and commitment of his own vocation.This is a time of serious personal and community discernment, the aim of which is to allow the novice to make a mature and free decision whereby he publicly commits himself to the religious missionary life of the Society as a clerical or brother student.

The Novitiate experience is designed to strengthen the novice's commitment to the Christian way of life. This entails a personal relationship with God through a discipline of prayer, a desire to place one's gifts and talents at the disposal of others through ministry, and active involvement in the Church.

The Novitiate Program is also designed explicitly to develop the novice's understanding and living of religious life within the particular charism of the Society. The emphasis here is on the heritage, mode of commitment (vows) and way of life of the community. This lies at the heart of the Novitiate formation.

The Novitiate experience is finally designed to support and enhance the novice's growth as a human person. The emphasis here is on the continued development of the personal and affective qualities and capabilities necessary for living and working with others.

Routine of the Novitiate

The novice is expected to attend daily community prayer and Eucharist as well as periods of private prayer. He involves himself in regular household duties.

Regular input from the Novice Director and other capable persons as well as attendance at the Kairos Programme (the Inter-Novitiate Programme in the Sydney area) are also part of this commitment. Some pastoral activity, especially toward the end of the Novitiate, is recommended. Private meetings between the Novice and his Director are a feature of this time. The novice is introduced to the keeping of a personal and spiritual journal.

Days off for the novices during the year are opportunities when the students can move away temporarily from the regular routine. A thirty-day retreat is usually undertaken half way through the programme. A second, shorter retreat is done as preparation for taking first vows.