Novices generally experience a greater conviction to generously give themselves completely to God through the monastic life. Over a two year period the novice faces the realities experienced in the postulancy through a more intense process of self- knowledge. The novice is encouraged during this time to see if his consciousness with its ‘ups and downs’ can be healed through cistercian spirituality. He experiences faith in the monastic-cistercian way as he confronts problems in growth and development of his own view of and response to God. The sufferings at this stage are generally experienced as temptation beckoning the novice to find an escape (a return to the comforts of the world), increased desire for sleep, feeling greater anxiety. However, the novice is guided to use these experiences to foster maturity and openness to God's saving help.			Fr. Paul Mark Novice Director
		Observer					Goal:Personal integration of cistercian life and a more intimate relationship with God. Procedure: Clothed with the novice's white habit, continued formation. Time: Two years
		Postulant
		Novice
		Junior
							Practices and Observances (which foster the spiritual experience of the novice) 1. Interaction with the patristic/monastic spiritual writings and teachings of our faith through lectio divina. 2. Rather than going to observances and rules for guidance, the inner self goes to Scripture, the spiritual fathers/mothers, and insights that come from the Holy Spirit.
		-[vocations] godseeking@newclairvaux.org -[monastic life retreat] mlr@newclairvaux.org ---[address & phone]
		Abbey of New Clairvaux P.O. Box 80 Vina, CA 96092-0080 ----(530) 839-2434