English 
Description
The novitiate is a stage of formation that lasts two years and prepares young women, who desire to be missionaries, for First Religious Profession.
The Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate thought that a common and international formation is a richness because it helps from the beginning to live together in the cultural difference and gives the opportunity of a rich and solid formation for all. For this reason, four years ago we started the International Novitiate experience in Rome. The experience is proving to be a great opportunity for growth for the young girls preparing for consecration to God for the mission.
The girls come from our missions, currently from Papua New Guinea, Bangladesh, India and Guinea Bissau, and there are also young Italian girls. The young girls spend three years in Italy. The first year is entirely dedicated to studying the language and settling into the country and takes place in Monza. The two years of the novitiate take place in Rome. There are currently thirteen novices.
The formation of the young women is both internal (with the formator or other sisters and qualified people) and external with twice-weekly attendance at an inter-congregational school, specifically for novices and novitiates whose headquarters are in Albano Laziale. It also provides for various cultural and pastoral experiences and activities.
