Postulantship is a compound word composed of "postulant" and "-ship". The first part is spelled with /ˈpɒstjʊlənt/, with stress on the second syllable, and refers to someone who is seeking admission into a religious community. The suffix "-ship" indicates a state or condition, as in "leadership" or "fellowship". Therefore, "postulantship" refers to the state of being a postulant. Despite its complex spelling, this word is used relatively commonly in discussions about religious life.
Postulantship is a noun that refers to the period and status of being a postulant, which is an individual who is in the early stages of seeking admission or acceptance into a religious order, typically within the Catholic Church. During the postulantship, the individual is in the preliminary phase of their journey towards becoming a fully fledged member of the religious community.
The postulantship marks a crucial period of discernment and discernment is the process of carefully considering and evaluating one's calling to religious life. During this time, the postulant explores the specific religious order or congregation they are interested in joining, and the order's members also discern whether the postulant is a suitable candidate for admission.
While in the state of postulantship, individuals engage in studies, contemplative practices, and various spiritual exercises in order to deepen their understanding of the religious life and the specific charisms and traditions of the order. This period also serves as a time of adaptation and adjustment, where postulants become familiar with the daily routines, rules, and customs of the religious community.
Upon completion of the postulantship, the individual may be accepted into the novitiate, the next stage in the process of joining a religious order. At this point, they formally begin their formation and training towards becoming a full member of the order. The duration of postulantship can vary depending on the order and its traditions, typically lasting for several months to a year or more.
The word "postulantship" is derived from the word "postulant". The term "postulant" dates back to the late 16th century, derived from the Latin word "postulans" which means "asking, demanding". In a religious context, a postulant is someone who is aspiring to become a member of a religious order or community and is in the initial stage of their formation. The addition of the suffix "-ship" indicates the state, condition, or quality of being a postulant.