Constitution

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.

I. 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.

II. The master of the co-operator brothers may be assisted in fulfilling his role by a solemnly professed co-operator brother.

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.

The same formula as in first profession is used, except for the final words, ‘until death.’

The following conditions are required for the validity of solemn profession:

1. that the brother be admitted by his own prior provincial; if the brother lives in another province, the prior provincial of that province must be consulted;
2. the vote of the chapter and council of the convent of assignation where the brother has spent the year immediately preceding.