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).

Becoming a Novice Deacon

This is a stub. Please edit this page to add information here. See also: List of Stubs

Becoming a Novice Priest or Priestess

1. The potential Novice 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 perform the role of Child in the Gnostic Mass when necessary.
2. The Novice 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 is trained in the mechanics of performing the Gnostic Mass.
   • The Novice should also select a Bishop or Auxiliary Bishop (hereafter ‘Bishop’ will be understood to include Auxiliary Bishops) with whom he or she will work.
   • The Priest(ess) with which the Novice works will train him or her to do Mass, while the Bishop will be ultimately responsible for the Novice performing Mass according to the guidelines as laid out in the E.G.C. Manual.
   • The specific duties of the Priest(ess) towards any Novice under his or her guidance are detailed in the volunteer agreement for ordained Priest(ess)s.
3. The Novice should take the Lodge’s E.G.C. Training course at the earliest opportunity, before his or her first Gnostic Mass.
4. The Novice’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.
   • Novices are encouraged to perform Private Masses until they feel themselves ready to perform Public Masses.
   • If both the Novice 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 Lodgemaster, who has the final say in this regard.
5. Novices are highly encouraged to function in the role of Deacon before that of Priest or Priestess.
   • In any event, Novice Priest(ess)s are expected to be able to function as Deacons in the Gnostic Mass as needed.