Ordination

Dispensations, nominations, and similar measures issued in any way whatever by a general chapter or by the Master of the Order without a time limit remain in force until they have been revoked by a similar authority. If they are issued in any way whatever by lesser chapters or superiors, they remain in force until the promulgation of the acts of the following chapter or until their successors take office, unless the contrary is expressly stated in our legislation.

Ordinations made in canonical visitations remain in effect until the next visitation by a similar authority.

The ordinations of superiors and of those who take their place cease when they leave office, without prejudice to n. 284.

1. Ordinations in the statute of a province remain in force until they are revoked by a provincial chapter, without prejudice to n. 279, § III.
2. Other ordinations of a provincial chapter remain in force until the date when the acts of the following provincial chapter take effect.

1. Ordinations which have remained in force through two five successive chapters and in the third sixth have been approved, shall be inserted in the Book of Constitutions and Ordinations. If they have not been inserted, they are considered to be abrogated, unless they are instituted again by the General Chapter.
2. Ordinations in the Book of Constitutions and Ordi­nations can be revoked by a general chapter until the next chapter; if, however, the second chapter confirms the previous one, they are definitively abrogated (see Appendix n. 2). 

1. Constitutions and ordinations of general chapters are promulgated by publication in the acts of general chapters or in another manner determined by the chapter itself; unless otherwise expressly stated, they begin to have force two months after promulgation, counting from the date on which the letter is signed by which the Master of the Order presents the acts of the chapter to the brethren.
2. Ordinations of the Master of the Order are promulgated and begin to have force in the manner determined by him.

Ordinarily, deputation is not made for longer than six months. By way of exception, however, especially because of teaching, it can be made for a year.

Temporary appointment of a brother to a province or convent is called deputation. It is given in writing by a major superior and imposes those obligations of an assignation which have not been expressly excluded. It does not grant assignation rights, but leaves intact the right to take part in elections in the convent of assignation.

As soon as possible, and not later than a week from its reception, the letter of assignation shall be read in the presence of the community in the convent to which a brother is sent. From that moment a brother’s appointment to that convent begins, even if he cannot be present immediately.
The superior should note the reading of the assignation in the council book and notify the superior of the convent of previous assignation.

1. A general chapter or the Master of the Order may freely assign brothers to any province or convent.
2. A provincial chapter or a prior provincial may make assignations within their own province.
3. A provincial chapter or a prior provincial may assign a brother from another province to theirs, with the consent of the provincial chapter or of the prior provincial of the province of affiliation, the Master of the Order having been informed.
4. A brother who in accordance with § I or § III has been assigned to a province also needs to be assigned to a specific convent as soon as possible.
5. Direct or indirect assignations by reason of study must be made in writing (see Appendix, n. 13).