This is the sequence of chapters: the elective chapter, the chapter of diffinitors, the chapter of priors provincial, and so on. A new series of chapters in the aforesaid order begins with the elective chapter even if the election of a Master has to be held before the completion of the nine-year period.

1. A general chapter shall be held:
   1. every three years;
   2. whenever the office of Master of the Order falls vacant.
2. A chapter may, if it judges it opportune, call the next chapter within a shorter period of time.

He obtains his office by canonical election and remains in it for nine years. The time is computed from one elective chapter to the next elective chapter, disregarding whatever
few months—not, however, more than six months—which fall short of or exceed nine years.

1. The four-year term is calculated from one provincial chapter to another, disregarding the few days, weeks, or months by which, occasionally, the term falls short of or exceeds the four-year period; and it is terminated on the day immediately before the vigil of the commencement of the provincial chapter.
2. If it should happen that a prior provincial’s four-year term ends when the Order has no Master or that it ends within six months of a general chapter (see n. 354, § I), in either case it is understood that his term is extended until the following provincial chapter which will be held after the completion of the general chapter.

1. The electors are the brothers with active voice and assigned to the convent even if they live habitually outside the convent of their assignation. Those, however, who, in accordance with n. 497, § II, have been joined to a particular electoral college, are not to be counted among the number for determining the socii of a prior going to a provincial chapter (see n. 458, § II).
2. Those, however, who, under any title whatsoever, are already included among the voters at a provincial chapter cannot participate in the aforesaid election.

In the provinces there should be no houses which do not have at least four brothers.

A superior in his house has ordinary power according to law, just as a prior in his convent, and is bound by the same obligations, in so far as they apply.

1. The master, according to the capabilities of each, shall advance the brothers towards the gradual attainment of the perfection of religious and apostolic life, in the spirit of the Order. He shall teach them that to follow Christ is the supreme rule of our life; he shall teach them to be of one mind with the Church, to know and cherish the spirit of Saint Dominic and the Order’s sound traditions, to read when opportune the signs of the time and to interpret them in the light of faith.
2. Guided by their love for their Dominican family, which receives them and enriches them with its manifold traditions, the brothers will learn that religious life provides a more stable life-style, tested doctrine for the way to perfection, fraternal communion in solidarity with Christ, and freedom fortified by obedience.

Reports of the chapter and council votes are to be sent to the prior provincial by the prior. Personal and academic reports on each candidate are to be sent to him by the master. And if the regent deals with students, a report should be sent to the provincial.

1. A negative vote of both the chapter and the council is decisive when the brother has resided in the convent of his own province during that year; if the case concerns a cleric, the scholastic year can be counted for such a year. When the brother has resided outside the province, a decisive vote of the council of the province of affiliation is necessary.
2. In the case in which the votes of the chapter and the council do not agree, the matter is to be referred for decision to the proper provincial.
3. If a brother has not yet lived for a year in the convent of his actual assignation and is due to make solemn profession, the convent in which he spent the immediately preceding year takes a vote of the chapter and council according to n. 206, 2,  But the convent where he is actually living must first take a vote for the sake of information.