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- From the Order’s beginnings, Saint Dominic required the brothers to promise him life in common and obedience. 1 Primitive Constitutions, distinction I, c. 14 He himself submitted humbly 2 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. 3 Jordan, Libellus de principiis ordinis praedicatorum, MOPH XVI, p. 46, n. 41 Outside of the general chapter, he demanded from all an unforced obedience 4 Primitive Constitutions, distinction I, c 13 to whatever he prescribed, after due deliberation, 5 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, 6 Jordan, Libellus de principiis ordinis praedicatorum, MOPH, XVI, p. 74, n.103 certainly, but also firmly. 7 Ibid. Indeed, if a community is to remain true to its spirit and its mission, it needs that unity achieved through obedience.
- 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.
Constitution
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