Confirmed ACG 1968 River Forest n. Revision history
Regular observance, drawn from tradition by Saint Dominic, or instituted by him, regulates our way of life, supporting us in our efforts to follow Christ faithfully while enabling our apostolic life to be more effective. In order, therefore, to remain true to our vocation, we ought to cherish and wholeheartedly embrace regular observance, and live it out in practice.
Technice ACG 2010 Romæ n. 263 Revision history
All those things that go to make up Dominican life and order it through common discipline belong to regular observance. Chief among these are the common life, the celebration of the liturgy and private prayer,1 keeping the vows, the assiduous study of truth, and apostolic ministry. Cloister, silence, the habit and penitential exercises help us to carry out these effectively.
Confirmed ACG 1968 River Forest n. Revision history
Cloister is to be observed in our convents so that our brothers may be better able to devote themselves to contemplation and study, that more intimate family life may be achieved and the faithfulness and characteristics of our religious life may be revealed.
Confirmed ACG 1968 River Forest n. Revision history
The brothers need the superior’s permission to go out of the house. This can be a general permission for a specific purpose.
Definitive ACG 2016 Bologna n. 265, Secunda ACG 2004 Kraków n. 354, Acceptata ACG 2001 Providence 2001 n. 473 Revision history
For a long journey or a prolonged absence a brother needs the permission of the competent superior as determined by the provincial statute. A brother always needs the permission of a competent superior to travel.
Abrogatus ACG 2004 Kraków n. 355, Inchoata ACG 2001 Providence 2001 n. 474 Revision history
- Permission for a long journey should ordinarily be in writing and should state the term, reason, and time; the brother priest should also have a letter of recommendation from his superior.
- The local superior can grant permission to travel within the terms designated by the prior provincial.
Acceptata ACG 2022 Tultenango n. 338 Revision history
- A brother who is going to spend some time in the territory of another province should notify the relevant prior provincial in advance, with due regard for n. 137. However, in order lawfully to extend the length of stay beyond three months, the permission of said prior provincial is required.
- A brother who is travelling should as far as possible stay in our own convents wherever we have them.
Definitive ACG 2007 Bogotá n. 289, Technice ACG 2007 Bogotá n. 289, Acceptata ACG 1992 México n. 45 Revision history
If a brother lives unlawfully outside his convent beyond one year, the prior provincial with his council shall decide the appropriate procedures according to Code of Canon Law (CCL) 696, 697 and 699.
Confirmed ACG 1968 River Forest n. Revision history
- Silence is to be carefully observed by the brothers especially in places and at times devoted to prayer and study. Silence is the guardian of all observance and contributes greatly to the interior quality of religious life, to peace, prayer, the study of truth and authenticity in preaching.
- Silence is to be tempered by charity so that it never impedes fruitful communication.
Confirmed ACG 1968 River Forest n. Revision history
It is for provincial and conventual chapters to determine when and where silence is to be observed in accordance with the Order’s tradition.
Confirmed ACG 1968 River Forest n. Revision history
- The brothers’ food should be simple but adequate for their needs.
- All the brothers should eat together unless legitimately prevented.
- The provincial chapter, bearing in mind the tradition of the Order and the prescriptions of the competent church authority, shall determine how and when fast and abstinence are to be observed. The conventual chapter shall decide on appropriate penances for the community, particularly during Lent.
Confirmed ACG 1968 River Forest n. Revision history
The habit of the Order comprises a white tunic, scapular and capuce, together with a black cappa and capuce, a leather belt and a rosary. (see Appendix n. 3).
Confirmed ACG 1968 River Forest n. Revision history
The brothers should wear the habit of the Order in our convents as a sign of our consecration, unless, for a good reason, the prior provincial shall have determined otherwise. Outside the convent, the directives of the prior provincial shall be followed as well as Church laws.
Confirmed ACG 1968 River Forest n. Revision history
- Religious consecration and the apostolic calling impel the brothers more than the rest of the faithful to practice self-denial. By taking up their cross and carrying in their own body and soul the sufferings of Jesus, they earn the glory of the resurrection for themselves and for others.
- Imitating Saint Dominic who, ‘when he was living with us in the flesh, walked by the Spirit, not only not fulfilling the desires of the flesh, but actually quenching them at the source,’2 the brothers should practice the virtue of penance especially by observing faithfully all that belongs to our life.
Confirmed ACG 1968 River Forest n. Revision history
- It is the responsibility of provincial and conventual chapters to prescribe new forms of penance suited to different people and different places and drawn from present-day patterns of living. This applies especially to Advent and Lent.
- Individual brothers may take on further mortifications, the better to fulfil the duty of penance.
Confirmed ACG 1968 River Forest n. Revision history
Superiors, moderators of centres for institutional studies and masters of the brothers in formation administer correction to promote regular observance and the salutary improvement of the brothers..
Confirmed ACG 1968 River Forest n. Revision history
- The gravity of a transgression is to be judged especially by the damage done to the common good rather than by any sin that may be involved.
- The principal forms of penance are: the performance of spiritual exercises, works of mortification or self-denial, works of benefit to the community.