Evangelical Poverty means the attitude towards earthly goods as Christ the Lord practised it Himself and ordered His disciples to practise it. Chastity means the precious gift of grace through which the Lord Jesus invites someone to follow Him more closely in his own virgin way of life. He must give himself with his powers to love in a very particular way to Him who loves him, and through Him to all men. Obedience means Christ's obedience to His Father in Heaven, even to accepting death, death on the Cross. It is putting oneself in a lifelong service to the Congregation.

It was the year of the Novitiate that we had to meditate for half an hour before we attended the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. We had our individual rooms where we can do some of our spiritual daily routines, studies, etc. It is the rule that no one may enter another's private room except in case of necessity and emergency. To be alone in a room is tempting and melancholic, if you do not make use of your time.

Spiritual moulding is more intensified during the Novitiate year, to a more authentic life of faith. The novice is called to follow Christ more closely and to dedicate himself entirely to his mission among the nations. With the help of the Novice Master and supported by the new family community, the novice gradually comes to a better understanding and a better practice of the grace of consecrated and apostolic life. This total dedication to the Lord is expressed in prayers and community life, in study and apostolate, and in each task that is entrusted to him.

This spiritual formation calls for an atmosphere of silence and recollection in which interior receptivity and sensitivy to God's direction are sharpened. Everyone is aware that all these new members are in "seclusion," therefore, everyone is expected to participate in the formation of these new members.

Though spiritual formation is emphasized during this year, intellectual formation is not neglected. The tie with the education that has already been received must be kept up, in a way however that the proper character of the novitiate does not suffer. The novice must pay great attention to the study and meditation of the Holy scriptures, in which he will find a better insight into the history of salvation and into the principles of spiritual life. His study program must have ample room for the theology of the religious life, the history of the missions and of the Congregation.