Constitution

It is for the Master of the Order, principally:

1. to establish centres of institutional studies;
2. to appoint regents of studies;
3. to draw up the Ratio Studiorum Generalis, promulgate and suitably modify it as changing circumstances demand;
4. to approve individual Rationes Studiorum Particulares.

Studies are governed by the following:

1. the Ratio Studiorum Generalis which lays down what is needed for the overall planning of studies and the doctrinal unity of the Order;
2. the particular Rationes Studiorum suited to the needs of specific times and places.

What was said above in numbers 76-83 about the importance of study and its sources should be taken very seriously by the student brothers and put into practice. They must be aware that the study they undertake is an essential part of the life they have, by profession, bound themselves to lead.

Clerical brothers after first profession ordinarily move to the studentate where, normally, they remain until ordination or until the end of institutional studies, continuing and completing their formation.

After three years of simple profession, the formation of co-operator brothers, whether in solemn vows or not, shall continue for at least two years. It shall take place in a suitable convent under the care of the local superior, according to the norms established by the provincial chapter.

After their novitiate, the co-operator brothers shall spend three full years in a convent designated for their formation under the care of their own master, who may be a solemnly professed co-operator brother and who will guide their spiritual and human formation. The regent or some other suitable brother, appointed by the prior provincial with his council, shall be responsible for their intellectual and professional formation.

After first profession, the brothers may be given the ministries of reader and acolyte as a way of forming them gradually and prudently in the apostolate.

So that religious formation may be imbued with an apostolic spirit it should be possible to conduct an apostolate in the convent of formation and to introduce the brothers to it, by way of real and active sharing, each according to his condition, gradually and prudently.

1. Post-novitiate formation is aimed at consolidating and developing novitiate formation, and completing the time of testing both by the Order and by the brothers.
2. Therefore, for a period of time determined by our laws, the brothers shall live in a convent of formation under the care of the master. They shall dedicate themselves earnestly to more profoundly understanding the values and demands of their vocation, and putting them into practice. By so doing, they will be fulfilling their Dominican profession faithfully and responsibly.
3. The norms set out in n. 182 concerning the appointment of novice masters, their duration in office and removal, are to be followed when appointing other masters.

Whatever temporal goods are acquired by the brothers after solemn profession, under any title whatsoever, belong to the Order, province or convent, according to our laws.