The novitiate, the second stage of the monastic life, lasts a year and has these goals: to provide the person with the opportunity to respond personally to the call to holiness in the religious life and also to provide an initiation into this specific community and into the Benedictine tradition. During the novitiate year, the novices study Sacred Scripture, the history and theology of the monastic life, the Rule of St. Benedict, the canon law pertaining to religious life, and other theological topics. They are encouraged to discuss their private reading during regular meetings with the novice master. The novitiate is structured to provide a balance of prayer, study and work.

At the end of this year, if the novice has persevered and has been accepted by the monastic Chapter, he makes a temporary commitment of three years. During this period he studies philosophy and theology.

Other programs of study are decided on an individual basis and will depend on the interest of the person and the work which he will do. If it is decided that a person should pursue graduate studies, he may find it necessary to continue these not only during the three years of temporary commitment, but also later as well. For those who are not interested in teaching or scholarly work, more practical programs can be worked out in areas such as accounting, tailoring, carpentry and other crafts. In a Benedictine monastery, there are always certain types of work involving service to the community which need to be done but, to a large extent, the work in which a person engages depends on his talents and interests. Within the framework of the monastic life, there is room for a considerable variety of work.

After three years of temporary commitment, a junior monk, if voted on favorably by the Chapter, is admitted to solemn vows. He becomes then a full-fledged, life-long student in this school of the Lord’s service and acquires full rights and responsibilities in the community.

The novitiate, the second stage of the monastic life, lasts a year and has these goals: to provide the person with the opportunity to respond personally to the call to holiness in the religious life and also to provide an initiation into this specific community and into the Benedictine tradition. During the novitiate year, the novices study Sacred Scripture, the history and theology of the monastic life, the Rule of St. Benedict, the canon law pertaining to religious life, and other theological topics. They are encouraged to discuss their private reading during regular meetings with the novice master. The novitiate is structured to provide a balance of prayer, study and work.

At the end of this year, if the novice has persevered and has been accepted by the monastic Chapter, he makes a temporary commitment of three years. During this period he studies philosophy and theology.

Other programs of study are decided on an individual basis and will depend on the interest of the person and the work which he will do. If it is decided that a person should pursue graduate studies, he may find it necessary to continue these not only during the three years of temporary commitment, but also later as well. For those who are not interested in teaching or scholarly work, more practical programs can be worked out in areas such as accounting, tailoring, carpentry and other crafts. In a Benedictine monastery, there are always certain types of work involving service to the community which need to be done but, to a large extent, the work in which a person engages depends on his talents and interests. Within the framework of the monastic life, there is room for a considerable variety of work.

After three years of temporary commitment, a junior monk, if voted on favorably by the Chapter, is admitted to solemn vows. He becomes then a full-fledged, life-long student in this school of the Lord’s service and acquires full rights and responsibilities in the community.

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