Novitiate Training Program

From Sekhet-Maat Lodge

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

Active, Initiate O.T.O. members in good standing of any degree who have been accorded Lay membership in E.G.C. may undergo a period of Novitiate training under the supervision of a Bishop, to prepare them for ordination as Priest, Priestess or Deacon. Novice Priests, Priestesses, and Deacons may participate in the celebration of a Gnostic Mass. Novices are not considered to be official representatives of E.G.C.

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 fill the office of Child in a celebration of the Gnostic Mass.

Any individual can fill the office of either Child (Positive or negative) if:

1. The potential Child states his or her intention to the E.G.C. Coordinator.
2. They have been baptized within the E.G.C.
3. They have attended the E.G.C. Basic Training Class. This is a training and basic policy class offered up to four times per year for this purpose.
4. The Mass team with which the Child will perform otherwise fills all the requirements for Mass team composition.

Becoming a Novice Deacon

1. The potential Novice Deacon states his or her intention to the E.G.C. Coordinator.
   • He or she should already be at least Minerval Degree or higher and confirmed within E.G.C.
2. The Novice Deacon should select an ordained Priest(ess) with whom he or she will work closely. This Priest(ess) will act as a mentor, making sure that the Novice Deacon is trained in the mechanics of celebrating the Gnostic Mass.
   • The Novice Deacon should also select a Bishop with whom he or she will work.
   • The Priest(ess) with which the Novice Deacon works will train him or her to do Mass, while the Bishop will be ultimately responsible for the Novice Deacon celebrating Mass according to the guidelines as laid out in the E.G.C. Manual.
   • The specific duties of the Priest(ess) towards any Novice Deacon under his or her guidance are detailed in the volunteer agreement for ordained Deacons.
3. The Novice Deacon should take the E.G.C. Basic Training Class at the earliest opportunity, before his or her first Gnostic Mass. This is a training and basic policy class offered up to four times per year for this purpose.
4. The Novice Deacon’s first Gnostic Mass should be Private (see E.G.C. Manual, p9, for a definition of the terms 'Public' and 'Private'.)
   • At this first Gnostic Mass, the mentoring Priest(ess) should be present.
   • Each Novice Deacon is encouraged to celebrate Private Masses until they feel themselves ready to celebrate Public Masses.
   • If both the Novice Deacon and his or her mentoring Priest(ess) agree that they are ready to be scheduled for Public Masses, they will inform the Mass Coordinator of this. The latter will communicate this to the Lodge Master, who has the final say in this regard.
5. Each Novice Deacons is highly encouraged to function in the role of Child before that of Deacon.
   • In any event, every Novice Deacon is expected to be able to function in the office of Child in the Gnostic Mass as needed.

Becoming a Novice Priest or Priestess

1. The potential Novice Priest(ess) states his or her intention to the E.G.C. Coordinator.
   • He or she should already be at least Minerval Degree or higher and confirmed within E.G.C.
   • He or she should be prepared to fill the office of Child in the Gnostic Mass when necessary.
2. The Novice Priest(ess) should select an ordained Priest(ess) with whom he or she will work closely. This Priest(ess) will act as a mentor, making sure that the Novice Priest(ess) is trained in the mechanics of celebrating the Gnostic Mass.
   • The Novice Priest(ess) should also select a Bishop with whom he or she will work.
   • The Priest(ess) with which the Novice Priest(ess) works will train him or her to do Mass, while the Bishop will be ultimately responsible for the Novice Priest(ess) celebrating Mass according to the guidelines as laid out in the E.G.C. Manual.
   • The specific duties of the Priest(ess) towards any Novice Priest(ess) under his or her guidance are detailed in the volunteer agreement for ordained Priest(ess)s.
3. The Novice should take the E.G.C. Basic Training Class at the earliest opportunity, before his or her first Gnostic Mass. This is a training and basic policy class offered up to four times per year for this purpose.
4. The Novice Priest(ess)’s first Gnostic Mass should be Private (see E.G.C. Manual, p9, for a definition of the terms 'Public' and 'Private'.)
   • At this first Gnostic Mass, the mentoring Priest(ess) should be present.
   • The Novice Priest(ess) is encouraged to celebrate Private Masses until they feel themselves ready to celebrate Public Masses.
   • If both the Novice Priest(ess) and his or her mentoring Priest(ess) agree that they are ready to be scheduled for Public Masses, they will inform the Mass Coordinator of this. The latter will communicate this to the Lodge Master, who has the final say in this regard.
5. Each Novice Priest(ess) is highly encouraged to function in the office of Deacon before that of Priest or Priestess.
   • In any event, every Novice Priest(ess) are expected to be able to function in the office of Deacon in the Gnostic Mass as needed.