The Prior Provincial

1. The prior provincial is a major superior and the proper ordinary of the brothers.
2. In his province he has power corresponding to that which the Master of the Order has in the whole Order and, by superior right, to the power a conventual prior has in his own convent.

The duties of the prior provincial include the following:

1. the should strive to do his utmost to promote in his province the spirit and authentic life of the Order. Discerning the signs of the times, he should encourage the brothers to serve the people of God in the ministry of the word as zealously as possible;
2. he should have the common good of the Order very much at heart. He should willingly report to the Master of the Order about the life of the brothers and their apostolate, and he should encourage collaboration between the provinces of the Order;
3. he should promote cooperation between the province and the hierarchy and between the province and other religious families so that the needs of the local Church may be appreciated more deeply and provided for more satisfactorily.

Ordinarily, a prior provincial takes office by canonical election confirmed by the superior, and he continues in that office for four years. He may be elected for another four years but not immediately for a third time unless the required interval of time has been dispensed.

1. A prior provincial may at will appoint any priest brother as his vicar whether over the whole province or over any part of it.
2. 
     1. A vicar provincial appointed in this way has whatever authority the prior provincial grants, except the appointment or removal of superiors;
     2. the vicar’s office expires with that of the prior provincial who made the appointment.