Novitiate

14. Novitiate constitutes a formative phase which is fundamental and delicate.(⁵²) Here the young person begins the journey of vocational identity in religious life.(⁵³) This phase has as its purpose forming the novice well in the spirit and praxis of the specific vocation of the institute and further evaluating the motives of vocational choice, spiritual commitment, and the necessary suitability. In each institute, this phase requires a personalized accompanying, attentive to the growth of each novice, a formative atmosphere which is evangelical, serene, rich in values, sustained by the joyous testimony of the formators and of the community, nourished by authentic and deep experience of the foundational charism.(⁵⁴)

Where circumstances make it advisable, an inter-institute program can contribute to the adequate doctrinal formation of those who are beginning their formation for consecrated life, helping them to define themselves, in their own specific identity, as members of the Church mystery-communion and mission and to act as such, developing, in the rub of daily life, attitudes of fraternal co-responsibility. We must be mindful, however, that “one can speak of 'inter-congregational courses for novices,' men or women, separate from one another, but it is impossible to speak of an 'inter-congregational novitiate'”.(⁵⁵)