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Novice
NOVICE (nŏv'ĭs, Gr. neophytos, newly planted). Used only in
The term for a candidate (male or female) for admission to a religious order during the probationary period which customarily follows the postulancy, prior to the profession of any vows. Throughout the noviciate, established by the Council of Trent as not less than a full and continuous year, the novice lives according to the rule of the order, under the direction of the novice-master, and separate from the rest of the community, although he enjoys its privileges, immunities, and indulgences. He is free to leave, as the order is free to dismiss him, and therefore may not renounce his property.
NOVICE nŏv’ ĭs (νεόφυτος, G3745, newly planted). The word occurs only in
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)
In this sense it is found in Septuagint of
This means that a recent convert runs the very serious risk of being wise in his own eyes, of despising those who are still on the level from which, by his conversion, he has been lifted; and so he becomes puffed up with high ideas of his own importance. He has not yet had time to discover his limitations, he is newly planted, he does not fully understand his true position in the Christian community, he overestimates himself. For these reasons he is peculiarly liable to instability, and to the other weaknesses and sins connected with an inflated opinion of his own powers. His pride is a sure indication of a coming fall. A novice, therefore, must on no account be appointed to the office in question, for he would be sure to bring disgrace upon it.