In-i'ti-ā'tion, n.

(in-ish-ī-ā'shun), n. [Lat. initiatio, Fr. initiation, Sp. iniciacion, It. iniziazione.]

1. The act or process of initiating. “The initiation of courses of events.”
2. The form or ceremony by which a person is introduced into any society; mode of entrance into an organized body; introduction into the principles of any thing unknown or mysterious.

Silence is the first thing that is taught us at our initiation into the sacred mysteries. Broome.