Novitiate Training Program

From Sekhet-Maat Lodge

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This document pertains to E.G.C. clergy performing the Gnostic Mass under the auspices of Sekhet-Maat Lodge (the term 'clergy' includes novices).

Contents 1 General considerations 2 Becoming a Child 3 Diaconate 3.1 Steps toward becoming a Novice Deacon 3.2 Other considerations 4 Priesthood 4.1 Steps toward becoming a Novice Priest or Priestess 4.2 Other considerations

General considerations

• Initiate members of Sekhet-Maat Lodge who have been confirmed in E.G.C. are entitled to undergo a period of novitiate training under the supervision of a Bishop to prepare them for ordination as Priest, Priestess or Deacon.
• Anyone participating as an officer in the Gnostic Mass must have first attended the E.G.C. Basic Training. This class is offered at least four times per year for this purpose.
• Novice Priests, Priestesses, and Deacons may participate in official performances of the Gnostic Mass, in training and preparation for ordination.
• Novices are not considered to be official representatives of E.G.C.
• Performances of the Gnostic Mass shall conform with all relevant national and local policies.

Becoming a Child

Although not technically a function of the Novitiate Training Program, this is an appropriate place to mention the requirements at Sekhet-Maat Lodge to serve in the office of Child in a celebration of the Gnostic Mass.

Any Sekhet-Lodge Member is entitled to serve in the office of either Child (Positive or Negative) if that individual:

1. states their intention to the E.G.C. Coordinator.
2. responds to the Mass Scheduling Coordinator's call for volunteers.

Diaconate

Steps toward becoming a Novice Deacon

The potential Novice Deacon:

1. has functioned successfully in the role of Child.
2. states his or her intention to the E.G.C. Coordinator.
3. requests the mentorship of and is accepted by an ordained Priest or Priestess, with whom they will work closely.
4. requests supervision from, and is accepted by a Bishop with whom he or she will work.
5. works with the Mass scheduling Coordinator to schedule one or more Review Performances of the Mass in the office of Deacon.
   • Attendance at the Novice Deacon’s Review Performance of the Gnostic Mass will be limited to initiates only.
   • By request of the Novice Deacon, attendance can be limited further to e.g. only invited guests.
   • Supervisory clergy shall be present at any Review Performance.
   • Each Novice Deacon may continue to schedule Review Performances of the Mass until they feel themselves ready to celebrate their first public Mass.
   • If both the Novice Deacon and his or her supervisory Bishop agree that they are ready to be scheduled for a public Mass, they will inform the Mass Scheduling Coordinator of this. The latter will communicate this to the Lodge Master, who has the final say in this regard.

Other considerations

• Every Deacon, Novice or otherwise, is expected to continue to function in the office of Child in the Gnostic Mass as needed.
• The Bishop is ultimately responsible for the training of the Novice Deacon.
• The Priest(ess) with whom the Novice Deacon works will train him or her to do Mass with the guidance of the Bishop.
• Ordination to the office of Deacon requires initiation to the Second Degree of O.T.O. and agreement from the Bishop concerning the readiness of the Novice Deacon.

Priesthood

Steps toward becoming a Novice Priest or Priestess

The potential Novice Priest(ess):

1. has functioned successfully in the offices of Child and Deacon.
2. states their intention to the E.G.C. Coordinator.
3. confirms their existing mentorship by an ordained member of the Clergy, or newly requests the mentorship of and is accepted by an ordained Priest(ess) with whom he or she will work closely.
4. confirms, or newly requests and is accepted for, supervision by a Bishop with whom he or she will work.
5. works with the Mass scheduling Coordinator to schedule one or more Review Performances of the Mass in the office of Priest(ess).
   • Attendance at the Novice Priest(ess)’s Review Performance of the Gnostic Mass will be limited to initiates only.
   • By request of the Novice Priest(ess), attendance can be limited further to e.g. only invited guests.
   • Supervisory clergy shall be present at any Review Performance.
   • Each Novice Priest(ess) may continue to schedule Review Performances of the Mass until they feel themselves ready to celebrate their first public Mass.
   • If both the Novice Priest(ess) and the supervisory Bishop agree that they are ready to be scheduled for a public Mass, they will inform the Mass Scheduling Coordinator of this. The latter will communicate this to the Lodge Master, who has the final say in this regard.

Other considerations

• Every Priest(ess), Novice or otherwise, is expected to continue to function in the offices of Child and Deacon in the Gnostic Mass as needed.
• The Bishop is ultimately responsible for the training of the Novice Priest(ess).
• The mentoring Priest(ess) with whom the Novice Priest(ess) works will train him or her to do Mass with the guidance of the Bishop.
• Ordination to the office of Priest or Priestess requires initiation to the Degree of Knight of the East and West within O.T.O. and agreement from the Bishop concerning the vocation and readiness of the Novice Priest(ess).