Simple Profession

1. When the novitiate has been completed, a novice shall ordinarily make simple profession.
2. This profession is made for three years. However, it can be made for one or two years, according to the statute of the province, but in such a way that it must be renewed to complete the three years. (see CCL, c. 655).

The following conditions are required for the validity of first profession:

1. he who is about to make profession must have completed his eighteenth year;
2. that profession must take place after a validly completed one year of novitiate, unless, by dispensation of the prior provincial, it is anticipated. This, however, cannot be by more than fifteen days;
3. he must have the consent of the chapter and council of the novitiate convent;
4. the consent of the prior provincial, or of both priors provincial if the novice has been formed in another province.

1. Simple profession is to be made according to this formula:
   ‘I, brother N.N., make profession and promise obedience to God, to blessed Mary, and to blessed Dominic, and to you brother N.N., Master of the Order of Friars Preachers and to your successors (or: to you brother N.N., prior provincial of the province of...; or: delegated...; in place of N.N. Master of the Order of Friars Preachers and his successors), according to the rule of blessed Augustine and the institutions of the Friars Preachers, that I will be obedient to you and your successors for three years.’ (or: one year).
2. If, however, the Order does not have a Master at the time of profession, the brother making profession promises obedience to whoever presides in place of the Master of the Order without mentioning any name.

1. For the duration of simple profession, a brother retains ownership of his possessions and the power to acquire others. Whatever he may acquire, however, by his own activity or by virtue of his religious state, belongs to the Order.
2. Before making simple profession, a novice must hand over, for the duration of his vows, the administration of his possessions to whomever he prefers, even to the Order if he so wishes, and make arrangements for their use and usufruct. He may also draw up a will with regard to his present belongings and those that may accrue to him in the future.
3. If, due to the lack of possessions, the arrangements mentioned in § II do not apply, they can be made or repeated after profession if the brother subsequently acquires possessions.
4. Within sixty days before making solemn profession – earlier would be invalid – a brother must dispose of all he possesses or is likely to possess, to whomever he wishes, on condition that profession is to follow.
5. If a brother wishes to change these arrangements for a just reason, he needs the permission of the major superior. (CCL, n. 668, § 2).