Formation Program
If someone comes and keeps knocking at the door, and if at the end of four or five days he has shown himself patient in bearing his harsh treatment and difficult entry ... then he shall be allowed to enter.
The Rule of St. Benedict, Rule 58
As illustrated in this excerpt from the Rule, St. Benedict teaches us that admission into the monastic order should not be an easy thing. Before one can be admitted as a full member, proper discernment needs to take place. This discernement is the period of Formation, which involves interviews by the Abbot, mentoring with members of the community and training in prayer and meditation.
The Rule of St. Benedict, Rule 58
As illustrated in this excerpt from the Rule, St. Benedict teaches us that admission into the monastic order should not be an easy thing. Before one can be admitted as a full member, proper discernment needs to take place. This discernement is the period of Formation, which involves interviews by the Abbot, mentoring with members of the community and training in prayer and meditation.
The OCB Levels of Membership
Associate
As associate is an individual who wishes to be connected with the OCB in prayer and correspondence, however does not wish to enroll in the full formation program and ultimately profess vows. This level of membership is similiar to a Tertiary Order, Third Order Franciscan, or an Oblate group.
Postulant
After a Formation period a postulant has submitted a formal application to the order, has begun some initial studies of the Rule of St. Benedict and is being introduced to current members of the order. In a residential community, this initial application and introduction period is accomplished through several short stays in a guest room. When possible, face to face meetings with OCB postulants is encouraged. If face to face meetings aren't possible, introductions and familiarization with current members can be through email and/or telephone conversations.
Novice
A novice has completed the introductory period and has been approved to begin work toward full membership. The novitiate normally takes several months to a year to demonstrate a commitment to personal practice and ministry development.
Professed Monastic
A fully professed Monk or Nun, engaged in a ministry of his or her own choosing and dedicated to lifelong spiritual development and communion with God.
As associate is an individual who wishes to be connected with the OCB in prayer and correspondence, however does not wish to enroll in the full formation program and ultimately profess vows. This level of membership is similiar to a Tertiary Order, Third Order Franciscan, or an Oblate group.
Postulant
After a Formation period a postulant has submitted a formal application to the order, has begun some initial studies of the Rule of St. Benedict and is being introduced to current members of the order. In a residential community, this initial application and introduction period is accomplished through several short stays in a guest room. When possible, face to face meetings with OCB postulants is encouraged. If face to face meetings aren't possible, introductions and familiarization with current members can be through email and/or telephone conversations.
Novice
A novice has completed the introductory period and has been approved to begin work toward full membership. The novitiate normally takes several months to a year to demonstrate a commitment to personal practice and ministry development.
Professed Monastic
A fully professed Monk or Nun, engaged in a ministry of his or her own choosing and dedicated to lifelong spiritual development and communion with God.
