A missionary may be ordained, or a vowed religious, or a lay person. It is governed by a monastic rule, or way of life, which involves a choice to live apart from society and the world, and so to witness in a radical way to Jesus Christ. As well as professing the three vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, monks often also take a fourth vow of stability, that is, to remain for life in one monastery. This process is called the novitiate. It introduces a novice to prayer, to the vowed life, to the spirit and charism of the religious community, and leads the novice through discernment to commitment as a member of the community.
Some communities have a one-year novitiate, others two years.
NUN - A nun is a woman who is a vowed member of a monastic community of women. As well as professing the three vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, nuns often also take a fourth vow of stability, that is, to remain for life in one monastery. All baptised persons are called to listen to God so as to know God's call and God's will in their lives. Men and women who vow or promise obedience commit themselves to listening to God's call as it is heard through their leaders and communities, and to responding faithfully to this call. Ordination involves prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop, that God may give the man receiving ordination the spiritual gifts he will need for ministry as a deacon, priest or bishop serving the Catholic community.