1. Ordinarily a prior takes office by canonical election confirmed by the superior. He continues in office for three years, after which he may be re-elected, but not immediately for a third term in the same convent.
2. His term of office begins from the date of acceptance and ends on the same date at the end of three years.

A prior, who ‘should regard himself to be fortunate as one who serves you in love, not as one who exercises authority over you,’1

1. must promote regular and apostolic fraternal life;
2. should provide for the brothers’ needs;
3. should be concerned that the brothers fulfil their personal obligations.

By law, a conventual prior has ordinary power for the internal forum and the external forum, over the brothers assigned to his convent or residing there.

A precept is invalid:

1. if it is not given in writing or if the formulas required by n. 294 is omitted;
2. if the local superior imposes a precept on an entire community without the previous consent of the prior provincial or, in a case of urgent necessity, of the conventual council; or if the prior provincial imposes it on a whole province without the consent of his council.

A general and provincial chapter, and also superiors and others delegated by them, have power to give a formal precept.

A formal precept which binds under pain of grave fault:

1. shall not be imposed unless there is question of matter which our laws regard as serious either in itself or from the circumstances, this after prudent consideration and sufficient investigation, and only in a case of true necessity;
2. must always be given in writing, for a specified period and must state clearly what is to be done or what is to be omitted;
3. must be given in the requisite formula: ‘we command (or we forbid) in virtue of obedience.’

1. Only a general chapter or the Master of the Order is empowered to dispense from the laws of the Order, either the entire Order or, permanently, a province, or a convent, or brothers.
2. A prior provincial in his province and a conventual prior in his convent may dispense the brothers in matters which are not reserved to a higher superior.

If a doubt about a text of our laws occurs outside the time of a general chapter, a declarative interpretation by the Master of the Order must be observed.

To give an authentic interpretation of our laws pertains to a general chapter. However, when it concerns the interpretation of constitutions, this does not acquire the force of a constitution unless it has been approved by three successive general chapters.

1. The legitimate customs of the Order or of a province retain the force of law until they are revoked by a general or a provincial chapter.
2. Customs contrary to the constitutions and ordinations found in this book, are rejected.