1. Provinces are named and ranked among themselves according to the existing tradition (see Appendix n. 12). Those that may be founded in the future shall be ranked according to the time of their establishment.
2. Consequently, those who represent a province, such as a prior provincial, a diffinitor, or an elector, are ranked among themselves according to the order of provinces.

1. For the union or fusion of several entities the following are required:
   1. A consultative vote with respect to the mutual negotiations to be worked out about the union;
   2. To the extent that the joinings require permit, consultation of the brethren of the entities which are involved, to be conducted in a way worked out by the Master General;
   3. the decision of the Master of the Order with his council; the first superior of the new entity is appointed by the Master of the Order.
2. If it seems necessary, a special statute of provisions can be promulgated by the Master of the Order.
3. If a province is to be divided, the procedures to be followed shall be worked out by the provincial council and approved by the Master of the Order with his council.

To establish a new province, besides the conditions set out in n. 253, it is necessary that there be a well-founded hope that, drawing on vocations in its own territory, it can eventually advance in regular and apostolic life.

From the goods which divine Providence has bestowed on it, a community, with their superior’s consent, ‘should willingly contribute part of what they possess for the other needs of the Church and for the support of the poor, whom all religious should love in the heart of Christ.’ (Vatican II, Decree Perfectae caritatis, n, 13)

1. It is not permitted to contract debts and financial obligations unless it is established with certainty that inter est on the debt can be paid from regular income, and that the principal can be liquidated within a reasonable period of time
2. When asking permission to contract debts or obligations, all other debts and obligations with which the contracting party is burdened to that date must be declared, without exception; otherwise the permission obtained is invalid.
3. Contracts concerning incurring debts or obligations must be submitted for examination by the economic council.

All important contracts to do with economic matters should be made in writing in accordance with the norms established in the province’s administrative statute.

When they travel, brothers are to be given their expenses by their superior. On completion of their journey they must give him an account of that money and of any other money they received while outside the house convent.

Every brother who, ex officio or by appointment, is entrusted with the administration of goods is obliged to give an account of his administration.

Without prejudice to n. 543, all brothers, even superiors, are obliged to give to the bursar all money or accruals of any sort, so that these can be recorded accurately in the account books and, respecting the rights of any third party, be added to the goods of the community.

In economic administration the requirements of civil law must be strictly observed, as must the Church’s law and our own.