Constitution

The following assemble and have votes in a general elective chapter: 

1. In the election of a Master of the Order:
   1. ex-Masters of the Order;
   2. all priors provincial;
   3. from each province, the diffinitor of the general chap­ter; 
   4. vice-provincials and vicars general, as provided for in n. 257, § II;
   5. a socius of the diffinitor of a general chapter from each province which has at least one hundred professed religious, excluding, however, those who are assigned to convents of the vicariates and those directly assigned to convents under the immediate jurisdiction of the Master of the Order;
   6. a socius of the prior provincial attending a general chapter from each province which has at least four hundred professed religious, excluding, however, those who are assigned to convents of the vicariates, and those directly assigned to convents under the immediate jurisdiction of the Master of the Order;
   7. a delegate from each province which has between twenty-five and one hundred brothers assigned in vicariates or houses of the province outside the boundaries of the province, the del­egate shall be elected from among the brothers and by them according to the provincial statute; furthermore, from each province which has between 101 and 200 brothers assigned to convents of the vicariates, a second delegate shall be elected, and so on.
   8. from among brothers directly assigned to convents un­der the immediate jurisdiction of the Master of the Order, two delegates if they total fewer than one hundred, three delegates if they total one hundred or more, chosen as laid down in n. 407-bis.
2. In matters to be dealt with after the election of the Master:
   1. the newly elected Master of the Order;
   2. ex-Masters of the Order;
   3. all those mentioned in § I, 2-8;

1. When a province has outside its own territory in some nation or region at least fifteen vocals and one convent properly so called, a provincial chapter can unite them into a provincial regional vicariate, so that the apostolic activity and regular life of the brothers there can be better coordinated.
2. The provincial vicariate is governed by statutes established by the provincial chapter, and approved by the Master of the Order. It is the task of the regional vicariate:
   1. to have its own statute, approved by a provincial chap­ter;
   2. to hold its own chapters as laid down in the vicariate statute;
   3. to admit candidates to the novitiate and to first profes­sion;
   4. to admit to solemn profession and sacred orders unless there is a different provision in the provincial statute.

1. When, outside its own territory, a province has in another nation or region at least fifteen vocals and one convent in the strict sense of the term, a provincial chapter may unite them into a regional vicariate so that the apostolic activity and regular life of the brothers there can be better coordinated.
2. it is the task of the regional vicariate:
   1. to have its own statute, approved by a provincial chap­ter;
   2. to hold its own chapters as laid down in the vicariate statute;
   3. to admit candidates to the novitiate and to first profes­sion.
   4. to admit to solemn profession and sacred orders unless there is a different provision in the provincial statute.
       

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. * [O] The brother who will have fulfilled this office may be proposed immediately for a second term, but not a third. (Bo, n. 303)

Provided that most of those who should be invited are present, in all transactions whatever is approved by an absolute majority – that is, by more than half the votes cast – has the force of law, without counting invalid votes and abstentions, without prejudice to CCL 127, § I.

1. The novitiate must be made in a convent where authentic Dominican life, regular and apostolic, flourishes. The convent is established for this purpose by a written decree given by the Master of the Order with the consent of his council.
2. The Master of the Order, with the consent of his council, can allow a candidate, in particular cases and by way of exception, to make the novitiate in another house convent of the Order under the guidance of an approved religious who assumes the role of master of novices. (cf. CIC 647, § 2).
3. The major superior can permit a group of novices to live for a stated period of time in another house convent of the Order designated by him (cf. CIC 647, § 3).

The master is to oversee the spiritual life and discipline of those in his charge, as is required by the integral training of those in formation. However, brothers in formation have the freedom to approach other priests brothers for spiritual direction of a more personal kind.

1. In every province there shall be a regent of studies who, under the authority of the prior provincial and with the advice of the commission for the intellectual life of the province, according to the statute of the province, shall:
     1. promote and coordinate, as head of the province’s commission for the intellectual life, the entire intellectual life of the province;
     2. take care especially of the province’s centre of institutional studies, and see to it that the Ratio Studiorum of the province and other legislation of the Order is observed;
     3. collaborate in implementing the programme for ongoing formation drawn up by the commission for the intellectual life of the province;
     4. collaborate with the conventual lectors in the promotion of study in the province’s convents;
     5. assist other centres of studies in the province, according to their proper statutes, and foster collaboration among them and with the centre of institutional studies of the province;
     6. help the prior provincial in solving doctrinal questions;
     7. see to the planning of the province’s intellectual life and the preparation of specialists required by the province and the Order’s centres of study;
     8. present an annual report to the Master of the Order.
2. The following requirements are needed for nomination as regent:
     1. an academic title such as is required of professors in centres of higher studies;
     2. some experience of teaching, especially in theology or philosophy;
     3. being known for his dedication to study and doctrine.
3. The regent is proposed by the provincial chapter and appointed by the Master of the Order for a four year term until the following chapter. He may be proposed for a second term immediately, but not for a third. As regent he:
     1. is a member ex officio of the provincial council;
     2. is ex officio head of the commission on the intellectual life;
     3. is allocated a financial subsidy in the budget of the province;
     4. cannot be nominated to any office that would interfere with the discharge of his duties.

1. Under the chairmanship of the Master or vicar of the Order, or of their vicar, the general council is composed of the socii to the Master of the Order and of the procurator general; their consent or advice is required according to our laws and common law.
2. The Master of the Order may convoke the councillors to seek their advice and opinion whenever it seems beneficial to him even if this is not required by law.

Each province which has at least twenty brothers assigned in vicariates or houses of the province outside the boundaries of the province has the right to send to a general chapter of diffinitors or priors provincial one delegate elected from and by those brothers according to the statute of the province (see Appendix 17). The latter selection shall be made in such a way by the Master of the Order with his council that half of the provinces shall be represented in one chapter and the other half in the next.