Novitiate

The Novitiate

Postulancy

Although we do not have a formal postulancy program, the following preparation before aplication to enter is essential:

The candidate is asked to meet regularly with the nearest Dominican community for meals, recreation, common prayer and other activities which will enable the candidate to experience a local Dominican community life.

The candidate will be asked to visit St. Albert's Priory in Oakland, CA, so that he might begin to see the expectations of a Dominican friar in the house of formation.

The candidate is asked to have a spiritual counselor who will help him to reflect upon his vocation.

Usually a man has been in regular contact with the vocation director and spiritual counselor for about six months to one year before beginning the application process.

Upon arrival at the Novitiate community, St. Dominic Priory in San Francisco, CA, the "postulant" becomes aquainted with his classmates and the Novice Master.  Within days they all begin a retreat in preparation for the formal beginning of the Novitiate at Vestition.

Vestition

After returning from their retreat the "postulants" will be clothed in the habit of the Order.  It is at this time that they formally begin their lives as novices.  They might at the same time choose to take a name in religion, although this is not required.  This ceremony always takes place in private, with only Dominican friars present.  They will be reminded that this is a time for the novice to grow in understanding of what it means to be a Dominican, and the community grows in its understanding of who the novice is.  It is a time during which either the novice or the community can decide to end the process.

It usually takes a few days to adjust to wearing the habit, and navigating stairs can be a tricky affair for the newly vested novice, and it takes a while to realize that absolute cleanliness is not essential.

The habit consists of several pieces (click here for samples). The scapular is the only piece that is blessed in this ceremony. Whether one thinks of the scapular as an apron (its roots in monastic life) or compare it to the scapular of chain mail used by knights in medieval times for protection from attacks by sword, arrow, and other weapons, the scapular of the Dominican habit is for protection from attacks by any evil. Incidentally, the rosary, which is the only other blessed part of the habit, is worn on our left side. Just as a knight would generally draw his sword from the left using his right hand, the Dominican friar draws his rosary to engage in spiritual combat, calling upon the protectoress of the the Order to "pray for us sinners.".

The habit is not merely a link to tradition garb.  The habit is a mark of our fraternal life in common.  It is an outward sign of the vows we make as Dominican friars.  It is a visible reminder to us who wear it, that we unabashedly seek the salvation of souls and the truth of God in the spirit of St. Dominic that pursued Christ with his whole being.  And it is a sign to others that we are indeed seeking to live out God's call in Christ to proclaim His truth in all we say and do.

Studies

The novice will not have formal classes, but will be asked to study the Constitutions and Ordinations of the Dominican Order and teh ACTA of the Western Dominican Province.  They will also be given instruction in Dominican history and spirituality.  It is during this time that they become very familiar with the Liturgy of the Hours and the responsibility to celebrate in choir these offices.  Familiarity with the other liturgical actions, especially the Mass and all that is required for fruitful celebration, is also required.

Prayer

The sumit of our daily prayer is always the Eucharist.  Daily Mass is not only expected, but essential to developing a true devotion to Christ.  It is principally through the Eucharist that our friars will witness Christ to the people of God for the rest of their lives.  As the special patrimony of the Dominican Order, rooted in our devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Rosary will become a daily practice.  The singing of the Liturgy of the Hours in choir, and private recitation when choir is not available, will be normative.  Private times of meditation will be provided so that the lessons learned each day may be brought before the Lord in prayer.  It is through prayerful contemplation of the Word made manifest on Scripture, Sacrament and all Truth, that we are able to share with others the riches bestowed on us through Christ.

Ministry

From the very beginning, the novices are taught that what we are and what we do is not just for ourselves, but so that the Good News of Jesus Christ might permeate the world in which we live.  Thus a ministerial opportunity is provided so that even in the beginnings of formation, the novice might touch the lives if others with the blessings he has received.

Province Tour

Possibly unique in our formation process, the novices are introduced to most of our Dominican communities through two distinct times of journey.  The first is usually early in the season of Lent and covers many of our houses in the Southern part of our Province.  The second, late in Spring or early Summer visits many of our houses in the Northern portion of our Province.  At the end of this second tour, the novices join the students at our retreat center, St. Benedict Lodge, for a brief time of relaxation and an opportunity to get to know the students better.

Simple Profession

Returning from St. Benedict Lodge, the novices prepare to make simple profession at least one year and one day after beginning their Novitiate.  Upon profession the Novitiate ends and the friar is now part of the Studium and move to our House of Studies, St. Albert Priory in Oakland, CA.  Profession is usually for three years, which will be renewed with one year extensions twice before Solemn Profession, profession until death.

Next: The Studium and The Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology

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