The novitiate is a 20-month experience divided into two years, much of which takes place at the Novitiate community at Mount Saint John in Dayton, Ohio. During the first year the novice’s formation is focused on intellectual and spiritual growth as a Marianist brother. A novice participates in daily classes—learning about the history, theology and spirituality of religious life and Marianist life in particular. The novitiate is an intense time of discernment, preparation for future ministry and learning skills for living the vows and the common life. Evaluations of the novice by the community, novice director, and self-evaluations of the novice himself are important parts of the two-year experience. Some discernment about the possibility of ordained ministry also takes place in the context of Marianist community life and brotherhood.
The first four months of the second year are spent in active ministry while living in another community in the Province. The remaining six months, back at the Novitiate community, conclude the final time of discernment before first vows. There is also typically some immediate academic preparation for ministry, usually at the University of Dayton.
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