Entering the monastic life began with a year of living as a novice. Novices lived in separate quarters and although they participated in prayers and services, they received instruction in the community’s customs and sign language. Novice-masters expected to do a fair amount of counseling as the novices struggled with depression and discouragement. Monks and nuns were keenly aware of how difficult it could be to adjust to their rigorous schedule; nobody ever had a full night’s sleep. Of course, children raised as oblates had the advantage of knowing customs and schedules already.
Joining the community as a fully avowed monk began in the chapter house, the building designated for the community’s daily meetings. Dying to the world, the novice made a will. Then the sacrist gave him his first tonsure. (Occasionally, a novice had a panic attack while the straight razor was being sharpened, knowing it was the last moment for an easy out.)
Next, the community said Mass, and the novice took his vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. They gave him a cowl, his official robe of the monastic order, and each member gave him a kiss of peace.
The new monk often spent three days with the cowl covering his head, in full or partial seclusion. Partial seclusion meant speaking to no one and keeping even his singing voice to a murmur, taking last place, and remaining alone in the chapel when others were at the chapter house. The three days ended at a Mass where the abbot uncovered his head and made him a full member of the community.
Lay brothers and sisters were not full monks. They took vows of obedience, but did not shave their heads in the tonsure, and they did not wear robes of the order. The chief distinction between lay brothers and choir monks was illiteracy. No one who could not read could become a full monk. Lay brothers lived in separate quarters, took part in some of the prayers and services, but had their own choir area on the other side from the full monks.