Constitution

The Master of the Order, since he is the successor of St Dominic and the source of the Order’s unity, is the proper and immediate prelate of all the brothers, convents, and provinces, in virtue of the profession of obedience made to him by every member.

1. When a Province has outside of its territory in another nation or region at least fifteen vocals and one convent properly so called, at least two houses of which one is a convent properly called, and at least fifteen vocals, the provincial chapter may combine them into a provincial vicariate, so that the apostolic activities and regular life of the brethren there can be better coordinated.
2. The provincial vicariate is regulated by a statute drawn up by the provincial chapter and approved by the Master of the Order.

1. In each province there shall be a bursar who shall have charge of the goods of the province in accordance with the norms established for administration.
2. The brother who will have fulfilled this office may be proposed immediately for a second term, but not a third, unless with the consent of the Master of the Order.

1. In each province there shall be a socius of the prior provincial who shall assist him in governing the province.
2. The socius shall be a priest who is at least thirty years old.
3. He shall be appointed by the prior provincial with the consent of the diffinitory of the provincial chapter.

1. It is the duty of the provincial council to assist the provincial to perform his duties, especially with regard to decisions which had been made by the provincial chapter and which with the passage of time appear to be timely or necessary for promoting the apostolate and regular life.
2. In the provincial council more important matters shall be decided by a decisive vote, unless it is determined otherwise in our legislation.
3. If at any time the votes are tied, the president has the casting vote (cf. appendicem n. 14-bis).

Provided they are assigned to the province or are members of the province assigned to convents under the immediate jurisdiction of the Master of the Order but are not members of the general council, the following are members of the provincial council:

1. the ex-prior provincial who has ceased from office;
2. the regent of studies;
3. the socius of the prior provincial;
4. the diffinitors of the last provincial chapter, until the following chapter;
5. councillors elected by the provincial chapter (see n. 519, § II) until the following chapter.

The president and the diffinitors have full ordinary power, according to law, over the entire province, its convents and brothers, until the end of the chapter, without prejudice to n. 361, § II.

The chapter shall be held regularly every four years or when a prior provincial is to be elected and at a time determined by provincial custom.

1. The provincial chapter is a gathering of the brothers over which the vicar of the province or the prior provincial presides. Its object is to discuss and to make decisions about all that pertains to the fraternal and apostolic life and the good administration of the province. It also holds elections for the province.
2. Besides the ordinary chapter mentioned in the preceding paragraph, an extraordinary chapter may be held for the sole purpose of electing a prior provincial.

The vicar of the province has the same authority as the prior provincial.