Ordination

The novices should be imbued with a missionary spirit, learning about the conditions and needs of people in the world, and realising that they are to be ‘fervent in preaching whenever the opportunity presents itself.’ 1   Their training, therefore, should be not just theoretical but practical, with an opportunity for some participation in the apostolic activities of the Order.

1. The novices are to be thoroughly instructed by the master and his socii in salvation history, sacred scripture, liturgy, the principles of Christian life, and about the priesthood.
2. They shall also be taught the nature of religious life, and particularly the history, spirituality and laws of the Order. They ought to be introduced to our observances so that the spiritual and apostolic value of our observances becomes apparent.
3. They are to be encouraged to cultivate the human and Christian virtues in order to develop a deeper spiritual life through humility, fervour and self-denial. They shall be taught how to approach fruitfully the sacraments of penance and eucharist, and to practise mental prayer.

At least twice during the novitiate the master shall discuss the novices with the conventual chapter and council. He shall send a written report to the prior provincial.

Voluntary departure or dismissal of a novice is to be recorded in the book of admissions.

There shall be a common novitiate for clerical and co-operator brothers. The novitiate made for the co-operator state is valid for the clerical, and vice versa. However, a transfer from the co-operator to the clerical state and vice versa can only be made with the permission of the prior provincial and his council.

The habit can be given at the beginning of the novitiate or during it, according to the decision of the provincial chapter.

1. The declarations mentioned in the appendix shall be made in the presence of witnesses to candidates who have been admitted to the Order; this shall be recorded in the book of admissions, and signed by the candidates themselves. (see Appendix, n.5).
2. A declaration shall be made to candidates that they can claim no remuneration for any work done for the Order; a document recording this shall be drawn up and signed by the aspirant.
   (see Appendix n.5).
3. Before beginning the novitiate, the aspirant shall free himself from all business interests; any money or other possessions he may have brought with him shall be kept safely by the community. Should he leave the Order before making profession, these shall be returned to him.
4. Each province shall decide how the costs of formation are to be met.

Each province shall determine in its own statute how the examination is to be carried out and by which brothers.

The right of examining and admitting candidates to the novitiate belongs to the province. A special committee of brothers with a president shall be appointed to carry out the aforesaid examination.

Before anyone is admitted to the novitiate, superiors are obliged to obtain all those documents required by law, and any other information they may consider useful or necessary.