Novitiate Journal Collection

Collection

Identifier: PH-NJ

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains 29 volumes covering the events and notes from novitiate classes from 1940 to 1965. Each novitiate class, which ran from August to June of the following year, tasked one novice to chronicle their experiences. Each year comprises one volume with the exception of the classes of 1953-1954/1954-1955, which are combined.

There are also two volumes which contain entries from 1946 to 1965, 1943-1954 and 1953-1965, respectively, but are not extensive for any particular year.

Dates

Creation: 1940-1968

Conditions Governing Access

Material from this Collection may only be accessed upon consultation and written permission from the Provincial.

Conditions Governing Use

Some materials might require the use of audiovisual materials. Any AV materials must be viewed using equipment within the archive. Contact the archivist prior to visiting.

Biographical / Historical

During the Province's time using St. Peter Martyr Priory in Winona, MN it was practice to assign one of the novices as the "record keeper" who would write down what happened every day of their time at the Novitiate. Each recorder interpreted this in different ways and gave each journal a distinct voice and record of their novice class.

The practice fell out of favor as novitiate classes became smaller and the novitiate moved to Denver in 1969.

Extent

29 Volumes (29 Large Volumes)

Language of Materials

English

Latin

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains 29 volumes covering events and notes from novitiate classes between 1940 and 1968. Each class, running from August to June of the following year, had one novice chronicle their experiences a bound book. Additionally, there are two volumes with entries from 1946 to 1965, covering 1943-1954 and 1953-1965, though these are not extensive for any particular year.

During the novitiate's time at St. Peter Martyr Priory in Winona, MN, it was customary to assign a novice as the "record keeper" to document daily events at the Novitiate. Each recorder's unique interpretation gave each journal a distinct voice and record of their time. This practice ended as novitiate classes became smaller and the novitiate moved to Denver in 1969.