And even these credentials apparently did not mean automatic acceptance Bene Gesserits, while doing their regular work, observed these particular female infante periodically for signs of active-trait characteristics As soon as sucb a child experienced her first menses, she was tested for sensitivity, using the gam jabbar test for human&ess Those females showing sensitivity and a certain degree of intelligence and interest were framed, either at a chapter house or by a Bene Gessertt tutor within their own homes, as "iflittae." The initiae trained within chapter houses could be identified both by their youth and by their clothing- dun-colored, long-sleeved shuts and leggings covered by short brown tunics. After five years of training, the imtiae were tested extensively for sensitivity and actne-trait potential and separated into two groups the 'virgae''-potential Reverend Mothers, and the ' profictuae"-future members of the genera] Sisterhood If successful, they were presented to a gathering of Bene Gessent in the ' Ceremony of the Initial Oath ' A Proctor Superior administered the oath to each individual, touching her forehead and repeating the following words I stand m the sacred human presence As I do now, so should you stand some day I pray to your presence that this be so The future re mams uncertain and so it should for it is the canvas upon which we pamr our desires Thus always the human condition faces a beautifully empty canvas We possess only this moment in which to dedicate ourselves continuously to the sacred presence which we share and create The candidate then faced the Sisterhood and repeated her first oath "I am a Bene Gessent I exist only to serve '' After this ceremony the young women moved from first form to second form, both in their training and in then living accommodations Their new status was shown by the sleeveless, hoodless abas they now wore, though someumes the) retained their dun shirts and leggings in cold climates Profictus and virga forms lasted three years The protictuae received specialized educa tion to prepare them for their work as Sisters Though all were trained for the general duties of "pellices" (breeders), some received special training to become concubines or wives of the aristocracy Others, were trained tor careers ' praecetrix ' to teach and tutor, "ermssanae espion" to join the spiderweb of Bene Gessent information gatherers, histon ans and archivists to keep the order's records, accountants and scribes to run the order's businesses, and domestic managers for the chapter houses and the schools The virgae, however, prepared for their eventual roles as Reverend Mothers After three years of preparation, the two groups of novices came together in the Gathering Hall of the Mother House to take their vows as Bene Gessents The Matres Felicissimae officiated before a gathering of Bene Gessent of all ranks, who BENE GESSERIT RANKS 132 BENE