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THE NOVICIATE The stage of the novitiate lasts for a full year , usually as from the beginning of August. The novice lives in the community; it is the canonical beginning of the Franciscan life. The novice carries the name "brother" and is given the religious habit. A retreat of one week precedes the celebration of the inscription to the novitiate. The novitiate is a privileged time for deepening the spiritual experience, by interiority, a followed-up accompaniment and periodic evaluations. This strong experience is under the direction of a master, who counts on the support of a community; it has a structure and a dynamism which unfolds in an atmosphere of prayer and of fraternal life. At present, the Novitiate fraternity is situated in Lachute, a peaceful village about 10 miles from Mirabel airport. A lovely site for a " take off". During the Novitiate, the candidate is asked to stop his professional activities, studies etc. There are ,though, regular cessions held there and elsewhere. At moments there will be activities among the needy in the area. This step allows the candidate to acquire and deepen his life of faith, of prayer, understanding of the religious life, the vows, the rule, spirituality and life and history of St Francis and the Order. At the end of this year as a novice, the novice may then make an official request in writing to the Provincial Minister and asking the grace to pronounce temporary vows, in living the Gospel in poverty, chastity and obedience. This engagement is celebrated in a spirit of thanksgiving with the brothers of the community, in the presence of family and a few friends. Here begins the stage of temporary vows.
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