Constitution

When the time of simple profession has been completed, a brother should either make solemn profession or leave.

1. For the duration of simple profession, a brother retains ownership of his possessions and the power to acquire others. Whatever he may acquire, however, by his own activity or by virtue of his religious state, belongs to the Order.
2. Before making simple profession, a novice must hand over, for the duration of his vows, the administration of his possessions to whomever he prefers, even to the Order if he so wishes, and make arrangements for their use and usufruct. He may also draw up a will with regard to his present belongings and those that may accrue to him in the future.
3. If, due to the lack of possessions, the arrangements mentioned in § II do not apply, they can be made or repeated after profession if the brother subsequently acquires possessions.
4. Within sixty days before making solemn profession – earlier would be invalid – a brother must dispose of all he possesses or is likely to possess, to whomever he wishes, on condition that profession is to follow.
5. If a brother wishes to change these arrangements for a just reason, he needs the permission of the major superior. (CCL, n. 668, § 2).

1. Simple profession is to be made according to this formula:
   ‘I, brother N.N., make profession and promise obedience to God, to blessed Mary, and to blessed Dominic, and to you brother N.N., Master of the Order of Friars Preachers and to your successors (or: to you brother N.N., prior provincial of the province of...; or: delegated...; in place of N.N. Master of the Order of Friars Preachers and his successors), according to the rule of blessed Augustine and the institutions of the Friars Preachers, that I will be obedient to you and your successors for three years.’ (or: one year).
2. If, however, the Order does not have a Master at the time of profession, the brother making profession promises obedience to whoever presides in place of the Master of the Order without mentioning any name.

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

1. he who is about to make profession must have completed his eighteenth year;
2. that profession must take place after a validly completed one year of novitiate, unless, by dispensation of the prior provincial, it is anticipated. This, however, cannot be by more than fifteen days;
3. he must have the consent of the chapter and council of the novitiate convent;
4. the consent of the prior provincial, or of both priors provincial if the novice has been formed in another province.

1. When the novitiate has been completed, a novice shall ordinarily make simple profession.
2. This profession is made for three years. However, it can be made for one or two years, according to the statute of the province, but in such a way that it must be renewed to complete the three years. (see CCL, c. 655).

Profession is to be made in the convent designated by the prior provincial, and normally in the presence of the community. In exceptional cases, with the consent of the prior provincial, it can be made outside a convent of the Order. A record of the profession, signed by the brother and two witnesses, shall be registered in the book of professions. (see Appendix n. 8)..

The following, and their delegates, can validly receive profession: the Master of the Order, the prior provincial in his own province, the prior or subprior in capite of the convent where profession is made.

1. When the examination has been completed and the results given to the prior of the convent, the conventual chapter first and then the council shall vote on the admission of the brother to profession. Before voting, the president shall discreetly inform the voters of the examination results and ask if they have any particular information about the candidate.
2. The prior shall give a full report to the prior provincial.

There are two forms of profession in the Order: the first is simple and temporary, made after the novitiate; the other is solemn and, therefore, perpetual.

1. The brothers need the written permission of their major superior to publish books. To publish books and articles, the brothers need the permission of their major superior, in addition to the requirements of common law.
2. If the major superior has doubts regarding matters of faith or morals, he shall appoint a commission of three experts to study the work.
3. If he refuses permission, he must tell the author the reasons for refusing.
4. An author who has been refused permission by a major superior can appeal to the Master of the Order. The Master shall set up a commission to examine the text. The judgement of the Master of the Order shall be definitive.