Life in the religious institute begins with the novitiate (Canon 646 and Const.#69) This is a stage of developing mutual trust and rapport with the community and the provinces. During this time, the Novice learns how to live her religious missionary life according to the spirituality and Charism of our Congregation. It is primarily a time of deepening one’s personal relationship with God

The purpose of the Novitiate is to enable the Novice and the Congregation to discern whether she has a vocation to the Congregation. It is a time for the Novice to grow in personal relationship with Christ through the practice of silence, solitude, contemplation and reflection on the scriptures. She develops an understanding of what is to live a vowed life through the practice of the evangelical counsels. She grows into a deeper understanding of our way of life through experiences of intercultural community living, missionary activity and the study of the spirituality. (Const. #70)

In order to enable the novice to deepen her personal relationship with Christ and develop an attitude of openness to the Divine Missions, the novitiate period demands a prolonged time of quiet, sound spiritual direction and formation in contemplative prayer (Dir#66)

The novice participates fully in the life of the community.

Novitiate programme takes place in Mariam Nilaya Convent, Bangalore, India South Province.