Page 61 - SJC Constitution

Canonical Novitiate

111 The duration of the novitiate is two years of which the first
year is the canonical one. During this period the novices
receive religious training, living together in the novitiate
house under the Novice Mistress.

In special cases, with the permission of the Superior General
given with the consent of her Council, a novice may be
permitted to make her novitiate in any of our house under
the direction of an experienced sister. The Superior General
26
with the consent of her Council may permit the novices to
stay in another house of the Institute for a definite period. 27

112 To be valid, the canonical novitiate must be made
continuously and fully for one complete year. But the absence
from the novitiate house for a period of less than three
months, either continuous or interrupted, does not affect the
validity of the novitiate. However, an absence of more than
15 days must be made up. If there is a legitimate reason, the
Superior General may permit the novice to anticipate her
first profession by 15 days. 28
Second Year Novitiate

113 The purpose of the second year novitiate is to further deepen
the religious training received during the canonical novitiate
through prayer, reflection and through such continuing
formation progammes as regency to be conducted according
to the regulation of the Institute. Further details regarding
this are to be specified in the Ratio Institutionis.
114 A novice can freely leave the congregation, if she, after
prayerful reflection, discerns that religious life is not
appropriate for her; the Superior General with the consent
of her Council has the right to dismiss a novice for a just
cause. 29

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