Constitution

1. Obedience is pre-eminent among (the vows rel- evant to) the (evangelical) counsels. By obedience a person dedicates himself totally to God and his actions approximate to the goal of profession, which is the perfection of charity. Everything else too in the apostolic life is included under obedience.
2. Since we are united to Christ and to the Church through obedience, whatever labour and hardship we sustain in putting it into practice is, as it were, a prolongation of Christ’s self-offering. It takes on a sacrificial character for ourselves and for the Church, in whose completion the entire work of creation is perfected.
3. Because obedience ‘plants the roots of self-discipline in our hearts’ 1 Saint Gregory, Moralia, XXXV, PL 76, c. 765, quoted by Saint Thomas, Summa theologica, IIa, IIae, q. 104, art. 1. (Literally, by which ‘we overcome ourselves in our hearts’: nosmetipsos in corde superamus) it is of the greatest benefit to that freedom of spirit characteristic of the children of God, and disposes us to self-giving charity.

1. Through this profession, we imitate Christ in a special manner, Christ who always obeyed the Father, for the life of the world. We are thus more closely united to the Church, to whose building-up we are dedicated, for its common good and that of the Order. In this we are joined by our superiors, who by their common ministry represent God.
2. The common good is also revealed in the religious and apostolic options of the community, and by the interior enlightenment of the Holy Spirit who sustains the mission of the Order.
3. Our brothers are obliged to obey their superiors in everything that pertains to the Rule (see n. 275, § I) and our laws. We are not, however, obliged to obey —nor indeed may we — in matters that are against the commandments of God and of the Church, are contrary to the laws of the Order or do not allow a superior’s dispensation. If there is a doubt, how- ever, we are all obliged to obey.

1. From the Order’s beginnings, Saint Dominic required the brothers to promise him life in common and obedience. 2 Primitive Constitutions, distinction I, c. 14 He himself submitted humbly 3 The process of canonnization. MOPH XVI p 151, n 33, cf p 124, n 2 to the decisions, especially the laws made by the general chapter of the brothers after thorough discussion. 4 Jordan, Libellus de principiis ordinis praedicatorum, MOPH XVI, p. 46, n. 41 Outside of the general chapter, he demanded from all an unforced obedience  5 Primitive Constitutions, distinction I, c 13 to whatever he prescribed, after due deliberation, 6 The process of canonization, MOPH XVI, p. 127, n. 6; p. 150, n. 32, p. 163, n. 43; p. 142, n. 24, p. 143, n. 25, p. 166, n. 48. in governing the Order. This he did graciously, 7 Jordan, Libellus de principiis ordinis praedicatorum, MOPH, XVI, p. 74, n.103 certainly, but also firmly. 8 Ibid. Indeed, if a community is to remain true to its spirit and its mission, it needs that unity achieved through obedience.
2. That is why in our profession only one promise is made, namely that of obedience to the Master of the Order and to his successors according to the laws of the Order. Thus, the unity of the Order and of our profession is preserved and it depends on the unity of the head to whom we all owe obedience.

Let the brothers cherish the memory of those in the family of St Dominic who have gone before them, leaving them ‘the example of their way of life, a sharing in their communion and the help of their intercession. 9 ’Vat II, Lumen Gentium, n.51 Let the brothers reflect on and make known their teaching and achievements, while not forgetting to pray for them.

1. Brothers’ parents and other members of their families are to be treated with respect and affection.
2. In a spirit of gratitude, the brothers shall remember in their prayers and share the merits of their apostolic labours with the benefactors who helped them out of their spiritual and material resources to engage more effectively in the work of evangelisation.

When a brother becomes seriously ill, the superior, either personally or through someone else, and having consulted a doctor, ought discretely to alert him to the fact, so that he may receive the sacraments in due time.

The superior, following the example of St Dominic, who was ‘a father and consoler to the sick and to those in distress’ 10  should have an attentive care for the sick, giving them appropriate dispensations even without being asked. Both he and the brothers should be diligent in visiting them.

To ensure that apostolic cooperation and fraternal communion be more fruitful, the involvement of all the brothers is of the utmost importance: ‘What is accepted by all is quickly and easily accomplished.’ 11  Accordingly, each convent should hold meetings on how to promote apostolic and regular life.

1. So that each convent may be a fraternal community, all should accept and embrace each other as members of the same body, different, indeed, in talent and responsibilities, but equal in the bond of charity and profession.
2. Aware of their responsibility with regard to the common good, the brothers should willingly accept duties within the convent. They should be happy to share the work of their brothers and to help those whom they see to be overburdened.

1. As with the Church of the apostles communion among us also is established and made firm in the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit through whom we receive the Word in one faith from God the Father: the Word we contemplate with one heart, praise with one voice and in whom we share one bread and are formed into one body. In the same Word, we hold everything in common and all of us are committed to the same work of evangelisation.
2. The brothers, of one mind through obedience, and bonded by a higher love, thanks to chastity, more closely dependent on each other, thanks to poverty, ought first of all to build in their own convent the Church of God, which by their efforts they must then spread throughout the world.