👉 Novitiate is a term used in Catholic theology and education, referring to the first year of a student's theological training. It typically lasts for two years and includes preparation for ordination as a priest or deacon. The term "novitiate" can be translated into English as "priestly novitiate," which is the first stage of the religious formation process for priests, where a person undergoes a period of spiritual reflection, prayer, and study to become more in tune with