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The abbey of Saint Sixtus of Westvleteren |
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Formation |
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| A monk, like any other person, needs continual formation. This does not primarily mean acquiring knowledge and insight, but growing to inner freedom so that Christ may truly and fully become human in each of us. This is a life-long process. Especially during the first years of monastic life (novitiate) special attention is given to making oneself familiar with the Cistercian way of life, which encompasses characteristic features such as the Liturgy of the Hours (the Divine Office), lectio divina, manual labour, personal prayer, loneliness and living in community. | |
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| During the novitiate, care is taken to discern whether the novice has grown spiritually through his participation in monastic life. If he truly seeks God, is zealous for the work of God, for obedience and humiliations and if he is suited to living correctly, in solitude and silence. (Constitution 51)
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