The Conventual Prior

1. A prior should frequently preach the word of God to the brothers and offer the sacrifice of the Mass for them;
2. he should willingly seek the advice of the brothers, encourage them to be responsible, and foster the collaboration of all for the good of the community and the salvation of humankind.

1. If it should happen that a prior’s three-year term of office is due to end within the three months which precede the holding of a provincial chapter or the election of a prior provincial, the prior’s authority is extended until the completion of the chapter, or if a prior provincial is elected outside a chapter, until the prior provincial takes office.
2. Where, for a just cause, it does not seem advisable to hold the election of a prior within a month after the office becomes vacant, the prior provincial, having consulted the chapter of the convent, may appoint the outgoing prior or the subprior in capite as his vicar to govern the convent for not longer than six months, unless within that six-month period a provincial chapter is to be held.

If he judges it opportune, a prior may appoint as his vicar any priest brother assigned to his convent who shall have whatever authority the prior gives him.

If the prior, the subprior, and the vicar are absent, the priest who is oldest in order of profession, who has active voting rights and is assigned to the convent, shall be accepted as vicar.

A prior who is prevented by illness from properly fulfilling his duties shall resign from office if there is no hope of recovering his health within six months.

At the end of his term of office, a prior shall present a report on his administration according to the procedure laid down in the statute of the province.