Anyone wishing to become a Cistercian monk was first admitted to
the guesthouse where he remained for four days. He was then received
within the monastery as a novice and began a one-year testing
period known as the novitiate. He was guided and supervised by
a monastic official known as the novice-master. The novice dressed
in a similar manner to the monks but instead of a cowl wore a
sleeveless hooded mantle. Novices generally enjoyed a more relaxed
diet than the other monks and might have added comforts, such
as fireplaces in their quarters. At the end of the trial period,
the novice was formally received as a full member of the monastic
community. This ceremony took place in the chapter-house where
the novice made his will and received the tonsure, whereby the
crown of his head was shaved. The second part of the ceremony
took place in the church where Mass was celebrated and the new
monk took vows of obedience, stability and chastity. He was then
officially welcomed as a full monastic member of the community
and took his place with the rest of the monks in the church,
refectory and dormitory.
What happened to the novice’s hair once it
had been shaved?
The sacrist was responsible for burning the hair in a special basin known
as a piscina.
