Editing Postulant (section)

{{Short description|Person who formally requests to be admitted to the novitiate of a religious order}}
A '''postulant''' (from {{langx|la|postulare}}, "to ask") was originally one who makes a request or demand; hence, a candidate. The use of the term is now generally restricted to those asking for admission into a Christian [[Christian monasticism|monastery]] or a [[religious order]] for the period preceding their admission into the [[novitiate]].<ref>{{Cite CE1913|wstitle=Postulant}}</ref> 

The term is most commonly used in the [[Catholic Church]], [[Lutheran Church]]es, and the [[Anglican Communion]] (which includes the [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal Church]]) to designate those who are seeking ordination to the [[diaconate]] or [[priesthood]]. In this respect, postulancy is generally considered the first formal step leading to [[candidacy]] (for [[ordination]]) and ordination. The [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] uses this term less frequently.