ART CONGREGATION of the BLESSED SACRAMENT 2017

SSS DIRECTORY

RULE OF LIFE

GENERAL STATUTES

VADE-MECUM

ANNEXES
 3

SSS D IRECTORY
General Preface
Following the proposal of the pre-capitular Juridical Commission, I present you this edition of the “SSS
Directory,” by referring to the profound conviction of Saint Peter-Julian Eymard, who in his proposals
about the Constitutions wrote:
Concerning the spirit of the Society
2. To live out the spirit of Holy Mother Church, and to do so is to be deeply imbued with its
teaching, to carry out to the letter all her prescriptions and laws as coming from Jesus Christ,
to love her customs and practices.
Eymard, RR 46, 7 (OC VII, 378)
The “SSS Directory” presents to all religious the documents that are the essential support regarding
every spiritual and juridical matter. Indeed it must not be forgotten that the Rule of Life and the General
Statutes and consequently likewise the Provincial/Regional Statutes express for us in practice what the
Code of Canon Law states regarding Religious Life.
This proposed text will enable all religious, according to their task and responsibility, to know where to
find all the documentation that can be useful as regards their commitment to administration at all levels.

Preface to the Rule of Life and the General Statutes

As a preface to the Rule of Life and the General Statutes I would like to recall what the Code of Canon
Law sets down in the chapter regarding the common norms for all institutes of consecrated life:
Can. 587 - §1. To protect more faithfully the vocation and identity of each institute, the fundamental code
or constitutions of the institute are to contain, in addition to those elements which are to be
preserved in accordance with can.578, basic norms about the governance of the institute, the
discipline of the members, the admission and formation of members, and the proper object of
their sacred bonds.
§ 2. This code is approved by the competent ecclesiastical authority, and can be changed only
with the consent of the same.
§ 3. In the constitutions, the spiritual and juridical elements are to be aptly harmonised. Norms,
however, are not to be multiplied without necessity.
§ 4. Other norms which are established by the competent authority of the institute are to be
properly collected in other codes, but these can be conveniently review and adapted according
to the needs of time and place.
For the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament the Rule of Life constitutes the “fundamental code”
and, consequently, it cannot be modified except with the consent of the competent authorities of the
Church; the General Statutes present the internal norms of the Institute, formulated by the General
Chapters or even approved by these, and are modifiable according to the needs of the time. For this the
General Statutes have undergone modifications and have been brought up to date in the course of the
years.
“The General Statutes” – as n. 00.01 states – “concretise the principles of the Rule of Life and
determine the practical or juridical norms for their application that are valid for the whole Institute (cf. RL
101). Their purpose is to ensure that, within a healthy decentralization, we live a true fellowship in the
unity of a common commitment, and to promote the development of the Institute in keeping with the spirit
of the Rule of Life.”
“The Statutes are inserted” – n. 00.02 states – “like the Rule of Life, within the perspective of
communion proposed by the Second Vatican Council for the life of the Church. They therefore promote,
in every sector, co-participation, subsidiarity, co-responsibility and involvement in the activity of the
universal Church. Their spirit is drawn from the principles that govern Canon Law: clarity in what is
constitutive, flexibility in what is disciplinary. Except for what is strictly juridical, they are general
orientations to be further determined rather than particular norms to be applied.”
In their numeration, the choice has been made to follow the same as that of the Rule of Life in order
to see rapidly the clear correspondence between the fundamental principles of the Rule and the number
of the Statutes specifying and concretising them.
4

It is thus of a fundamental and valuable instrument entrusted to Superiors, to those who have a charge
of responsibility in the administrative, economic, formative domain, but also to all religious.
For the Institute, the GS thus represent, with the Rule of Life, the “Particular Law”, to which often the
“Common Law”, represented by the Code of Canon Law that is valid for all Institutes refers insofar as it
expresses the valid norms for all members of the Congregation, while respecting a just autonomy that
the Church concedes to each religious Institute so that it can regulate on the basis of its charism its
tradition and its requirements of life and mission.
In substance, the following can be inserted into the Statutes (but not into the Rule of Life):
- What is likely to change from time to time;
- What must be adapted to circumstance and new needs that arise;
- What is clearly secondary and does not affect the nature of the Institute;
- Purely technical rules that every social organization has to observe to function well.
This does not mean that the Statutes should simply be a juridical and practical text, without any
spiritual or moral consideration; yet they should not repeat what the Rule of Life contains, which would
render the Rule itself empty of its worth.
In this new edition, in addition to the General Statutes, we have also inserted the Vade-mecum, which
is a useful and necessary instrument for those who are responsible as new Provincial/Regional Superiors,
in order that they may face issues of ordinary and extraordinary administration, but also in dealing with
particular cases necessitating the application of the norms of common law and particular law by following
the correct procedure, for the wellbeing of the Institute and of each religious.
For this purpose, we have added at the end a set of forms to be used in regard to various issues and
procedures, for the benefit of facilitating the task of Provincial/Regional Superiors.

Practical suggestions regarding knowing and employing the RL and the GS

To enter into the ecclesial spirit and sense of belonging to the same religious Family, we propose
some practical suggestions in order to get to know better the Rule of Life and to respect the legislation
set out in the General Statutes.
It would be desirable for all religious, beginning from their First Formation, to understand in a deepened
manner the text of the Rule of Life and, consequently, the General Statutes that refer to each number of
the RL, of which the presentation made here includes the modifications inserted since 1987.
Members of the Provincial/Regional administrations are warmly encouraged at the beginning of a new
mandate to set suitable time to re-read and deepen their knowledge of the RL together with the GS. This
would enable them to discover how the spirit of the Rule is incarnated in the real context of everyday life
in fidelity to a legislation that governs the life and mission of the Congregation in a specific context.
This knowledge would also make it possible to verify whether the Statutes of each Province/Region,
with its own particular points, respond to their specific and current situation, in order to consider if they
require to be updated or modified. The Provincial/Regional Statutes should follow the same numeration
as the RL and the GS in order to facilitate reference for making possible modifications that require the
approval of the General Council.
It would also be useful that after this prioritised study one of the members of the Council be chosen
as a “watchdog” regarding all references to the RL, the GS and, of course, the Provincial/Regional
Statutes, in order to help the Provincial/Regional administration not to neglect what must be necessarily
taken into account in accordance with the norms of the “Particular Law” of the Congregation of the
Blessed Sacrament.
In wishing each of the members of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, following the spirit
and example of Saint Peter-Julian Eymard in fidelity to the Church, to be committed always more
generously for the Eucharistic mission that the Lord has entrusted to our religious Family,

On behalf of the Juridical Commission and the General Council,

Rome, 20 April 2017

Fr Eugênio Barbosa Martins, sss

Superior General
SSS Adveniat Regnum Tuum 2017

RULE OF LIFE

Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament

Official text

Publication
of the Generale House
ROME - 1985

With the modifications done since 1987

 CONTENTS

Decree .................................................................................................................... 7
List of abbreviations .............................................................................................. 7
Preface .................................................................................................................... 8

RULE OF LIFE .................................................................................................... 9

I. - CAPTIVATED BY THE LOVE OF GOD ................................................... 9

II - THE CALL OF THE GOSPEL .................................................................. 11

III. - A RADICAL RESPONSE ......................................................................... 14

IV. – “IN MEMORY OF ME” .......................................................................... 17

1. Around the table of the Word and the Bread .................................................... 18

2. In a profound atmosphere of prayer .................................................................. 20
3. As Church at the service of the world............................................................... 21

V. - A LIFE-LONG NEED: FORMATION ..................................................... 26

1. Initial formation ................................................................................................ 27

2. Life-long formation........................................................................................... 29

VI. - AT THE SERVICE OF OUR BROTHERS ............................................ 30

1. Principles of government .................................................................................. 30

2. The general government ................................................................................... 31
3. The province ..................................................................................................... 34
4. The local community ........................................................................................ 37
5. The administration of temporal goods .............................................................. 38
6. Separation from the Institute............................................................................. 39

VII. - THE VALUE TO BE ACCORDED TO THE RULE OF LIFE .......... 39

Formula of religious profession ............................................................................ 39

Table of contents ................................................................................................... 41

 Rule of Life 7

SACRA CONGREGATIO
PRO RELIGIOSIS
ET INSTITUTIS SAECULARIBUS

Prot. n. P.14 - 1/81

DECREE
The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, whose general house is in Rome, has
inherited from its Founder, Saint Peter Julian Eymard, a new form of consecrated
life within the Church. Its mission is to place at the centre of its life and the life of
the faithful, the Eucharist celebrated in the truth and internalized in a prayer of
adoration and contemplation.
In conformity with the decrees of Vatican Council II and other ecclesiastical
documents, the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament drew up a new text of
Constitutions (Rule of Life) which the Superior General, subsequent to the vote of
the Chapter, presented to the Holy See for approbation.
The Congregation for Religious and Secular Institutes, after having submitted the
text to the study of the Consulters and taking into account the favorable vote of the
Congress, approves and confirms the text, with the modifications requested by the
same Congress, as contained in the French language copy kept in its archives, on
condition that all the requirements of law be observed
This Congregation expresses the wish that, drawing upon their rich spiritual
heritage and faithful to this Rule of Life, the Religious of the Blessed Sacrament
will be authentic witnesses to the renewing power of the Eucharist for Church and
society.
Given at Rome, August 1, 1984, on the feast of Saint Peter Julian Eymard.
+ V. FAGIOLO + Fr. J. HAMER, O.P.
Secr. Pro-Préf.

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
Can. Codes Iuris Canonici (1983)
Const. Constitutiones Congregationis Sanctissimi Sacramenti (1962)
EM Instruction “Eucharisticum Mysterium” (May 25, 1967)
ET Apostolic Exhortation “Evangelica Testificatio” (June 29, 1971)
LG Conciliar Constitution “Lumen Gentium” (November 21, 1964)
PC Conciliar Decree “Perfectae Caritatis” (October 28, 1965)
RR Roman Ritual: “De sacra communione et de cultu mysterii eucharistici
extra Missam” (June 21, 1973)
SC Conciliar Constitution “Sacrosanctum Concilium” (December 4, 1963)
S.2 General Archives, Series S., vol. 2, p. 244
8 Rule of Life

PREFACE

The Rule of Life and Vatican II

The Second Vatican Council promoted the renewal of religious life and asked the
religious Institutes to revise their Constitutions (cf. PC 2 & 3).

In response, the Renewal Chapter of 1969/1971 drew up the Rule of Life. After
being tested within the Institute, then revised, amended and unanimously accepted
by the 1981 General Chapter, it was submitted to the Holy See for approbation.

After some required modifications, it was approved by the Holy See on August 1,
1984, the feast of Saint Peter Julian Eymard.

From that date the Rule of Life replaces the Constitutions of our Congregation,
interpreting for our times the fundamental inspiration of St. Peter Julian Eymard.
The General Statutes which accompany it are drawn up and approved by General
Chapters as the concrete application of the Rule.

The Rule of Life and the Constitutions

Our Founder left several drafts of the Constitutions, searching until his death for a
better formulation of his charism. The 1864 edition of the Constitutions contains
Father Eymard’s attempt to codify the life of the Institute after the decree of
approbation was given on June 3, 1863.

After his death in 1868, several changes were made to the Constitutions until they
were definitively approved by the Holy See on May 8, 1895. Later on, further minor
modifications were made at the request of the Church.

These texts, especially those composed by the Founder and approved by the Holy
See, have a special place in the patrimony of the Congregation. Meditated and lived
by generations of religious, they represent a spiritual tradition in the life of the
Church. They therefore remain an important reference point for us and an abiding
source of inspiration.

In accordance with the norms of Vatican II, the Rule of Life takes up this living
tradition and reinterprets it in new texts. Rooted in the past, it is an authentic
expression of our charism. It thus assures stability to our Institute, while remaining
open to the future.
 Rule of Life 9

RULE OF LIFE
I.

CAPTIVATED BY THE LOVE OF GOD

1. The name of the Congregation

Gathered in the name of the Lord
we are called to live
in the Church as brothers.
Under the inspiration of our Founder,
Saint Peter Julian Eymard,
we form
the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament,
a clerical religious Institute
of pontifical right,
composed of priests, deacons and brothers.
Our ideal is to live
the mystery of the Eucharist fully
and to make known its meaning,
so that Christ’s reign may come
and the glory of God be revealed
to the world.

2. The Founder
Challenged by the religious ignorance
and indifference of his time,
Saint Peter Julian Eymard searched
for an answer to its needs.
He found it in the love of God
manifested in a special way
in the gift of Christ in his Eucharist.
Captivated by this love Cf Phil 3,12
he made it known to his contemporaries.
For this purpose he traced out
for his companions
a new form of life in the Church,
to provide for Christ the Lord.
present in the Eucharist,
true and perpetual adorers
and zealous promoters of his love. Cf. Const. 2
Convinced that a life cannot be fully eucharistic
unless it is consecrated
to both God and our fellow human beings,
he left us an example of contemplation
and apostolic activity.
10 Rule of Life

His intense life of adoration,

his apostolate centered on Mass and Communion,
his efforts to lead people to adoration of the Lord
in the setting of solemn exposition,
his activity in the service of all,
with a preference for priests and the poor,
indeed his whole life
witnesses to the gift of himself to Christ.

3. Our mission
Following in the footsteps of Father Eymard,
our mission is to respond to the hungers of the human family
with the riches of God’s love,
manifested in the Eucharist.
Drawing life from the bread
given for life of the world, Cf. Jn 6,51
we proclaim in the thanksgiving prayer
the Passover of Christ,
and we welcome the Lord Jesus
in his eucharistic presence Cf. Jn 1,12
by a prolonged prayer of adoration and contemplation.
Formed by the Sacrament
of the New Covenant,
which frees us from the domination of sin,
we commit ourselves to building up
the Body of Christ. Cf. Eph 4,12
By our life and activities
we share in the mission of the Church,
so that the Eucharist
may be celebrated in truth,
that the faithful may grow
in their communion with the Lord
through eucharistic adoration
in the setting of exposition,
that they may commit themselves
to the renewal of their christian communities
and collaborate in liberating
individuals and society
from the forces of evil.
United in the Spirit
with those who are poor and weak,
we oppose everything which degrades human dignity
and we proclaim a more just and brotherly world
as we await the coming of the Lord.
 Rule of Life 11

4. The spirit of the Congregation

We cannot live the Eucharist Cf. Const. 3

unless we are animated by the spirit
which led Christ
to give his life for the world. Cf. Jn 10,17; 1 Jn. 3,16
When he proclaimed the New Covenant
by the gift of his Body and Blood
to his disciples,
it was out of love
that the Lord gave himself up. Cf. Eph 5,2
Sharing in this gift of himself to us,
we place ourselves
at the service of the Kingdom,
fulfilling the words of the Apostle:
“It is no longer I who live,
but Christ who lives in me.” Cf. Gal 2,20

5. A religious community

The love of God and our vocation

gather us, at the heart of the Church,
into living communities,
where all truly love one another.
Open to the summons of the Spirit
and attentive to the needs of the human family,
our communities become places of prayer,
reconciliation and festive celebration,
signs and leaven of the unity
which the world seeks.
To realize this ideal
we make profession of religious life
according to this Rule of Life.

II.

THE CALL OF THE GOSPEL

6. A path traced out for our communities
The Word of God calls us
and gathers us together;
it accompanies us
as a lamp for our steps. Cf. Ps 119,105
The Rule of Life traces out for us
a particular way
of living the Gospel in the Church.
It unites us in a single project
of life and mission.
12 Rule of Life

7. A paschal community
Following the example of the disciples,
who were of one heart and one mind,
we put all our resources in common. Cf. Acts 4,32
Our availability
and our concern for sharing and fellowship
manifest the presence of the Risen Lord.
We become witnesses of Christ
by making ourselves servants
of our brothers. Cf. Jn 13,12-17
The Lord calls us
to live his Passover day by day in this way.

8. Unity and diversity

A community is made up of persons
who differ in their capabilities,
duties and circumstances.
This diversity manifests the wealth
of the gifts of the one Spirit. Cf. 1 Cor 12,4
Christ breaks down all barriers Cf. Eph 2,14
and creates a unity
in which each one is called to live
as a brother among brothers.
Each religious,
whether young or old, sick or healthy,
is fully a member of his community.

9. Community and conversion

A religious community is called
to renew itself continually
through its trials and weaknesses,
in the light of the Word of God
and in a climate of listening to one another.
The Spirit of God enables the community
to discern in the circumstances of life
whatever contributes to its renewal.
A review of life fosters better understanding.
Forgiveness transforms circumstances of sin
into occasions of grace.
Each one shall approach
the sacrament of reconciliation frequently,
and the community shall celebrate,
from time to time, a penitential liturgy.
In this way the community allows each one
room to develop in a sharing of faith,
friendship and life.
 Rule of Life 13

10. Community and mission

A community does not exist for its own sake,
but aims at being a setting for seeking God
in order to reveal his love to people.
It shares the life of the human family
and seeks to live the Gospel
in all its dimensions.
Its project gives concrete expression
to its role in the mission of the Church
and determines its way of life.
In each house,
the community reserves for itself
areas of silence, prayer and study.
We willingly welcome guests
in areas set aside for this purpose.
Concerned about the need
for objective information
regarding events of human life,
we make discerning and prudent use
of the communication media.
As regards attire,
we dress according to the norms
of the Church’s common law for clerics.

11. Community meetings

The vitality of a community
depends to a large extent on its meetings
at which the brothers regularly share
their joys and problems.
Days of recollection and annual retreats
provide special occasions of renewal
for all the religious.
At our gatherings
we take stock of the community project
and evaluate our participation
in its realization.

12. Infirm or elderly religious

When one of our brothers is ill
the community shall unite itself with him
in his sufferings
and keep him company in his trial.
If he is hospitalized
we will visit him every day, if possible.
14 Rule of Life

The superior shall make sure

that our infirm or elderly religious
are provided with all the care they need
and that, depending on their condition,
they receive the sacrament of the anointing of the sick,
in the joy of the Lord
and surrounded by their brothers.

13. Death, a paschal event

Comforted by the prayer of the community
and by the Eucharist received as viaticum,
our brothers will then be ready
to die in the Lord.
The death of a brother
shall be celebrated as a paschal event,
in a prayer filled with hope.
We will faithfully carry out
the prescribed suffrages for our deceased.

14. With Mary

Mary, mother of Jesus,
voice of the poor and the lowly, Cf. Lk 1,46-55
welcomed the Word of God into her heart
and put it into practice. Cf. Lk 8,21
She shared her life and prayer
with the disciples Cf. Acts 1,14: 2,42
actively working with them
for the coming of the Kingdom.
We will honor Mary
as the poor one of Yahweh
and the Servant of the Lord, Cf. Lk 1,38
with a love like that of our Founder
who also invoked her under the title of
Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament.
We will love to meditate
the mysteries of the Rosary.

III.
A RADICAL RESPONSE
15. Religious profession
By our profession of religious life
we respond to the call of the Lord
who invites us to leave all things
to follow him,
and we publicly commit ourselves
within the Church
to live in chastity, poverty and obedience.
 Rule of Life 15

Religious profession incorporates us

into a community of brothers
and expresses our determination
to live the Gospel in a radical way.
Nourished by Christ,
who gives himself to us totally
in the Eucharist,
we express, in our form of life,
the gift of ourselves
as it was lived and taught
by our holy Founder. Const. 94
Our vows express our consecration to God
in the service of our fellow human beings,
and witness to a world yet to come
in the spirit of the Beatitudes.

16. Chastity
During his life Jesus remained totally free
to devote himself to the Kingdom.
Following in his steps, we vow ourselves
to perfect chastity in the celibate state.
Undertaken in a spirit of interior poverty
and prayer, in self-mastery
and an openness to the realities of human life,
it disposes us
for the experience of a universal love.
Trusting in him who is faithful Cf. 1 Cor 10,13
and with hearts that are free,
we attach ourselves to Christ and his mission
and we become witnesses to his power
to free human relationships
from individual and collective selfishness.
Community life is an invaluable support
for living this gift of the Spirit in joy.

17. Poverty
Like Jesus,
we wish to live a life of poverty.
We work to earn our keep
and to share what we have with our brothers.
By putting all our resources in common
we free ourselves
from all attachment to riches
so that we may depend entirely upon God.
Our life is marked by simplicity and moderation.
As a sign of unity,
our communities shall assist one another
by sharing their resources.
16 Rule of Life

Our personal and collective poverty,

our solidarity with the poor, Cf. ET 18
and our refusal to compromise
with any form of social injustice
express in this consumer-oriented society
our attachment to the Kingdom of God
and his justice. Cf. Mt 6,33

18.
By the vow of poverty, we give up the right
to use and dispose of material goods
without the authorization of our superiors.
Whatever we receive as remunerations,
pensions, insurance and gifts
belong to the Institute.
Each religious retains the ownership
of whatever goods he has inherited
and the right to further inheritance.
Before his first profession,
the novice relinquishes the administration
of his patrimony to whomsoever he chooses
and freely disposes of its use and income.
Before perpetual profession,
each religious makes a will
which is to be valid also under civil law.
He may not change its provisions
without the authorization
of the major superior.

19. Obedience

After the example of Christ

who, out of love, completely fulfilled
his Father’s will
even to the giving his life,
we profess obedience,
in order to serve our brothers better
and share in the mission of the Congregation.
By the vow of obedience we commit ourselves,
in docility to the Holy Spirit,
to obey our legitimate superiors
according to the Rule of Life
as well as the Sovereign Pontiff,
our highest superior.
 Rule of Life 17

20.

Choosing to live in community

Where, with our brothers, we search
for the will of God,
and attentive to the signs of the times
and the pressing demands of the Kingdom,
we take an active part
in drawing up and implementing
a community project,
which is to be approved
by the major superior.
We freely make our own
the options chosen in common
and the decisions taken by the superior
in the context of dialogue.
When lived in trust, faith and self-denial,
authority and obedience
complement each other
and foster true brotherhood.
In this way
we denounce the thirst for power
and the rule of might
and we announce to the world
the message of Jesus
who took among his own
the place of the One who serves. Cf. Lk 22,27

IV.

“IN MEMORY OF ME”

21.

Called to live as a eucharistic community,

we seek, by our vocation and way of life,
to give a more explicit witness
to the life of Christ
which springs from this sacrament.
The celebration of the Memorial of the Lord
is at the center
of our personal and communal life.
It is the starting point
for our understanding of the Eucharist
and inspires our prayer and ministry.
18 Rule of Life

1. AROUND THE TABLE OF THE WORD AND THE BREAD

22. The Word of God

The community’s faith

is nourished daily and its unity deepened
at the table of the Word of God.
The celebration of the Word in the liturgy
provides a special opportunity
for those who seek the Lord.
This Word,
which the Spirit causes to resonate
in our innermost being,
challenges us in ever new ways.
When shared fraternally,
and according to our capacity to receive it,
the Word enlightens us
and incorporates us into the mystery of Christ.

23. The liturgy of the Hours

The liturgy of the Hours,

the prayer of praise of the entire Church,
and particularly the Morning and Evening Prayer,
is an important moment
in the life of our communities.
Its celebration, by nature communitarian,
is the voice of the Church praying to Christ
and, through him, to the Father.

24. The celebration and salvation history

The celebration of the Eucharist

joyfully proclaims the marvels
God has accomplished in our history.
Daily, and in community if possible,
we give thanks for the New Covenant
which God has sealed once for all
in the blood of his Son, Cf. Heb 9,15
and which he renews in his ever faithful love.
Fraternal life is thus sustained
and the community constantly renewed.
 Rule of Life 19

25. The work of salvation

Each time we celebrate

the Memorial of Christ’s Passover
we enter into the work of salvation.
Through sharing in his Body and Blood
we are progressively wrenched
from the forces of evil.
The Lord reveals to us the presence of sin
in our selfishness,
in our apathy or complicity in injustice,
while drawing us towards a new life.
In this same movement,
we offer to the Father our own lives
along with the hopes and sufferings
of all those with whom we are working
to build a society based on justice and love.

26. Eschatological dimension

Thus the Spirit of the Risen Lord

exerts an ever increasing influence
over all who welcome him.
By sowing in our mortal flesh
the seeds of resurrection Cf. 1 Cor 15, 42
he transforms us day by day in love.
Our trials and afflictions
are taken up
into the mystery we celebrate
and death is our definitive participation in it.
Filled with hope,
we journey on towards that new world Cf. Rv 21,1
where God will be all in all. Cf. 1 Cor 15,28

27. Celebration and life

To celebrate the “Supper of the Lord” in truth Cf. 1 Cor 11,20

is to place ourselves
at the service of others,
as the Lord Jesus showed
by washing the feet of his disciples. Cf. Jn 13,1-17
In this way we become, by our whole life,
the adorers in spirit and in truth Cf. Jn 4,23
whom the Father seeks.
20 Rule of Life

2. IN A PROFOUND ATMOSPHERE OF PRAYER

28. Celebration and prayer

Jesus spent his whole life,

and especially the mystery of his Passover,
in a profound atmosphere of prayer.
As his life drew to a close,
he left us the Memorial
of the gift of himself to his Father
and to the human family.
Risen from the dead, he sent us his Spirit Cf. Acts 3,15; 2,4
that we might live our mission
in that same spirit of love.
We internalize the celebration of his Passover
by a prayer
that makes our whole life
a prolongation of our Eucharists.

29. Response to the presence

The bread and wine become Eucharist

ceaselessly remind us of the Supper of the Lord,
the thanksgiving of the Church
and the sacrifice of praise
of the whole world.
They reveal to us in a unique way
the presence of Christ
who pours out his life in us
by the gift of his Spirit. Cf. EM 50; cf. RR 80
For this reason,
faithful to the tradition received from our Founder,
we spend at least one hour each day
in prayer before the Eucharist.
This prayer forms part
of the mission of the Congregation Cf. Const. 2
and has priority in the life of each religious. Cf. RR 90

30. In the dynamism of the Eucharist

Our response to this presence of Christ

is to enter into the dynamism of the Eucharist
with a prayer of adoration,
of praise and thanksgiving,
of reconciliation and intercession,
as Church and for the world. Cf. Const. 15
Though our prayer finds its inspiration
in the celebration,
it is not limited to any one form.
 Rule of Life 21

We will help one another

to develop this precious gift
“which the Holy Spirit inspires and fosters
in a humble and upright heart.” Const. 17

31. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

By drawing our attention

to the signs of the Sacrament,
exposition of the Holy Eucharist
calls to mind the celebration
of the Memorial of the Lord.
It invites us
to recognize and adore the presence of Christ
in the gift of his body given up for us
and of his blood
poured out for a New Covenant.
Thus exposition
facilitates our communion with Christ Cf. EM 60; RR 82
who offers himself to us
as the Bread of Life
nourishment shared
for a community of brothers.
We practice and encourage it,
mindful of the pastoral needs
of the local Church.

32. Participation of the people

We associate the people with our prayer

so that their lives may be enlightened
and penetrated by the paschal mystery.
We are attentive in promoting communal prayer;
it manifests the unity of the Church,
fruit of the Eucharist.
According to pastoral possibilities,
we encourage nocturnal prayer
in a spirit of watching sand waiting
for the Lord.

3. AS CHURCH AT THE SERVICE OF THE WORLD

33. Inspired by our holy Founder

Saint Peter Julian Eymard

saw the Eucharist
as a powerful force of renewal
for Church and society.
22 Rule of Life

His life and his mission as Founder

awaken in us an echo
of his ardent faith and love.
His ability to translate
his eucharistic grace
into very diverse ministries
stimulates us to be creative
in our own mission.

34. The Eucharist, source of our mission

We seek to understand all human reality

in the light of the Eucharist,
source and summit of the life of the Church. Cf. SC 10
We discern in this sacrament
a call to share
in the life and mission of the Lord,
and we give priority to activities
that manifest the riches and demands
of the Eucharistic mystery
in all its dimensions.
(cf. General Statutes 34.02)
Consequently, as Church,
we combine “prayer and work
in order that the entire world
may be totally transformed
into the people of God,
the Body of the Lord
and the temple of the Holy Spirit.” LG 17

35. In union with the Church

While our mission extends to the whole Church

it is carried out
within the pastoral program
of a diocese or region.
We work in close union
with bishops, priests and laity,
eager to offer our own particular contribution
of spiritual life
and apostolic initiative.

36. Prophetic mission

Like the mustard seed

which never ceases to grow,
the Church progresses
in her understanding of the realities and words
that have been given to her.
 Rule of Life 23

Likewise, we ourselves ought to deepen

our understanding of the Eucharist
and promote a fruitful celebration
of this mystery
with whatever demands it makes on us. Cf. Can. 898
We wholeheartedly desire to hand on
the Tradition and teaching of the Church
on this sacrament.
We seek to further the progress
of eucharistic theology and practice.

37. Mission of social involvement

Attentive to the cry of the poor

and their distress,
we discover in every instance of injustice
a call of Christ to share in his mission
of announcing good news to the poor
and proclaiming liberty to captives. Cf. Lk 4,18
Every community that celebrates the Eucharist
is called, through a radical conversion,
to challenge sin and its structures
and proclaim the hope of a new world.
In solidarity with those
who are working for genuine human advancement,
we are alert
to the social implications of our actions.
The most telling message of our communities
is the witness of their lives.

38. Mission of unity

Our celebration of the Eucharist,

sign of the Covenant
between God and the human race,
remains, in a sense, incomplete
as long as we who are baptized
are divided by hate
or separated from one another.
The celebration leads us
to promote unity in all our activities:
within our Christian communities,
among all confessions
that share the same baptism
and among all those
who are working to unify the world.
24 Rule of Life

39. At the service of the Word

The disciples of Emmaus
met Jesus along the road
and after he had explained to them,
in the light of the Scriptures,
the meaning of their experiences,
they recognized him
in the breaking of the bread. Cf. Lk 24,13-15
In the same way, we journey with those
who are in search of meaning in their lives,
and we help them recognize Christ,
the living Word,
so that, having been baptized and confirmed
in the faith,
they may become fully integrated
into the Christian community
through the Eucharist.
We give very much importance
to the ministry of the Word:
in the proclamation of the Gospel,
in catechesis,
and in the preaching of retreats.

40. Liturgy
Liturgical research and apostolate
are of particular concern to us.
We devote ourselves
to liturgical animation and formation
using every available resource,
and, in line with the directives of the Church,
we look for expressions
better suited to the needs of the faithful
so that every celebration may become
an experience of faith
and a source of commitment.

41. At the service of parishes and communities

We will make our parishes
into authentic communities
shaped by the Eucharist,
source and centre of their life.
They shall be:
places of proclamation
and the living of the Gospel,
places of prayer,
eucharistic adoration and festive celebration,
places of sharing and fellowship,
places of freedom and human development.
 Rule of Life 25

United among themselves,

our religious engaged in parish ministry
shall collaborate in a special way
with committed lay people.
Under the action of the Spirit,
who ceaselessly renews
the life of the Church,
groups and communities are born,
grow and take on responsibilities.
We play our part
in their emergence and development.

42. Centers of prayer and retreat

Our communities are called

to become centers of prayer
which offer assistance to all
on their pilgrim way.
This ministry is particularly suited
to retreat houses and city-center churches.
These churches,
where the Blessed Sacrament is exposed,
are oases of silence and peace
in the heart of the city
and offer places of welcome and meeting,
prayer and adoration,
spiritual guidance
and sacramental reconciliation.
Attentive to the modem mentality,
we want to respond
to the expectations of our contemporaries
with appropriate catechesis,
an initiation into prayer,
and an awakening to their responsibilities.

43. Sharing our ideal

Following in the steps of Father Eymard,

we invite all those
whom the Spirit directs to the Eucharist,
both priests and lay people,
to become associated with our family
and share in its mission.
We offer them our continuing support
so that they may find in the Eucharist
the inspiration
for their whole life and commitments.
26 Rule of Life

44. At the service of priests

We recognize the importance
of the mission of priests.
We seek to share with them
a life of faith, prayer and friendship
and exchange pastoral plans and experiences.
We place ourselves at their service
by offering hospitality, animation
and formation,
encouraged in this
by the example of Father Eymard
who used to say,
“I would leave everything for priests.” S.2

45. The press and other means of social communication

The means of social communication
are bringing about a profound transformation
in our modem world
and can be powerful agents
for unification.
For the publication of any writing
dealing with religion and morality,
the permission of the provincial superior
is required.
Aware of the influence of these means,
we make use of them, particularly the press,
so that the entire Church may become
bread broken for a new world.

V.

A LIFE-LONG NEED: FORMATION

46.
It is in the Christian life that the continuing growth of the human person attains its
true dimensions.
Faith, which considers human realities in the light of the Word of God, leads us to a
personal knowledge of Christ and to a life of ever deeper union with him and with
one another. Formation is a life-long process and involves each and every one of us.

47. Vocation apostolate

It is the Lord who calls laborers to his harvest.
In our prayer and in all our pastoral activities we will be concerned to arouse the
faithful, especially the youth, to take up their personal responsibility of service to
the Gospel in the Church.
 Rule of Life 27

We work in coordination with the diocese to foster vocations to ministries and to

religious life.
Always respecting the ways of God in individual lives, we should know how to
discern the promptings of the Spirit and to welcome those who wish to share our
way of life.

1. INITIAL FORMATION
48.
Initial formation is effected in three stages: the pre-novitiate, which emphasizes the
personal discovery of Christ; the novitiate, which focuses on vocation, on initiation
into religious life, especially as it is lived in our Congregation; the scholasticate,
which aims at integrating three elements - religious life, studies and apostolic
experience - into a unified whole.

49. Admission
In order to admit a candidate to any one of the three stages and to Orders:
1. It shall be carefully verified whether he possesses the necessary human and
spiritual qualities and whatever is required in accord with common law and the
particular law of the Institute.
2. The competent authority is the major superior in accord with common law and
the particular law of the Institute.

50. Directors of formation

1. For each stage there shall be a director of formation and a team of assistants. The
master of novices and the director of scholastics, who must be perpetually professed
members of the Institute, are appointed by the superior general with the consent of
his council, in accord with the General Statutes.
2. The directors of initial formation shall coordinate their work, so as to achieve a
coherent and progressive formation from postulancy to perpetual profession or
priesthood.

51. The role of the directors

It is the task of the directors of formation to help the young religious centre their
lives on the love of God, to form them for evangelical and community living based
on prayer and nourished by the Eucharist, to lead them to understand the human
needs of their day so that they might discern in them the call of the Spirit, to have
them discover that there can be no religious life without a free and real participation
in the mystery of the cross and resurrection of the Lord and to initiate them into the
charism of the Founder and the life of the Institute.

The pre-novitiate
52.
Candidates for our vocation are introduced by stages into the Congregation, under
the guidance of a director or a formation team. In the beginning it is best that they
28 Rule of Life

live outside our communities. Later on they become postulants and share the life of
one or more of our communities.
It is the province which determines the duration of the pre-novitiate.

The novitiate
53.
The novitiate is a time to break from former patterns of living and to test one’s
vocation under the guidance of a novice master and his formation team.
The pedagogical approach for the novitiate is inspired by and prolongs the
baptismal catechesis.
In this way the novice will be able to discern the demands of the Kingdom and the
needs of the Church; he will be able to open himself to the riches of the Word of
God and the Eucharist and be initiated into the prayer life of the Congregation.
In an atmosphere of serious reflection, the novice will discover the historical and
living traditions of the Institute, the experience of our Founder and the spirit of the
Rule of Life.

54. Place and duration

The novitiate must be done, for validity, in the house erected with the written
authorization of the superior general. It must involve, moreover, twelve months
spent in the novitiate community.
As regards absences, interruptions, delays, dismissals and such like, the common
law shall be followed.

55. The formation program

The formation program of the novitiate must be approved by the provincial superior
and submitted to review by the superior general who may, with the consent of his
council, add further specifications. Provided that the twelve months required for
validity is safeguarded, one or more periods outside of the novitiate community
may be added to the program, with the consent of the provincial superior. These
must include activities related to the nature of the Institute. In accordance with law,
the novitiate must not exceed two years.

56. Admission to profession

At the conclusion of the novitiate, if there are sure and positive signs that a
candidate is called to our way of life, he shall be admitted to temporary profession.
If such signs are not evident, the provincial can prolong the time of novitiate by six
months. At the end of this extension, the candidate either makes profession or leaves
the Institute.

Religious profession
57.
1. The profession of temporary vows is annual and is renewed each year until
perpetual profession.
2. The period under vows between the novitiate and perpetual profession is a
minimum of three years and a maximum of six years. Nevertheless, in particular
 Rule of Life 29

cases, the superior general, with the consent of his council, can prolong this period
up to nine years.
3. The following are qualified to receive vows: the superior general, the provincial
or regional superior, the local superior, the master of novices, the director of
scholastics, or any perpetually professed religious delegated by one of these.

The scholasticate
58.
By first profession, the religious, whether brother or cleric, enters the scholasticate.
This is a time to integrate spiritual values, academic or professional activities and
pastoral ministry.
Throughout his development the scholastic is under the guidance of the director and
a formation team. Spiritual counseling is an essential part of his preparation for a
definitive commitment.

59. The formation program

Care shall be taken that all receive a formation that will properly equip them to
contribute to the mission of the Congregation in the Church.
The scholastic cleric continues his formation for diaconate and priesthood
according to the requirements of canon law and the program of studies of the
Institute. Depending on his talents, he will learn a specialized ministry.
The scholastic brother equally prepares himself, depending on the individual and
with the permission of the provincial superior, to carry out the various tasks in the
service of our communities, to take on a pastoral ministry or to exercise a particular
profession.

60. Admission to perpetual profession

When there is moral certitude, based on prolonged experience, that a candidate can
and wants to live according to the Rule of Life, he shall be admitted to perpetual
profession.
The scholasticate extends at least until perpetual profession. For the religious who
intends to go on to permanent diaconate or priesthood, it lasts until the completion
of the formation prescribed for these ministries.

2. LIFE-LONG FORMATION
61.
Life-long formation is more than ever necessary in our rapidly changing world; it
allows individuals and communities to renew themselves in their vocation.
This formation is to be encouraged in our communities by appropriate means, and
provinces shall ensure that it is incorporated into their overall plan. At a higher
level, the general council organizes or lends its support to inter-provincial meetings
for all our religious for the purpose of study or spiritual renewal. It encourages
theological and other forms of research and looks for ways of promoting studies on
the Founder and on the history and spirituality of the Institute.
30 Rule of Life

VI.

AT THE SERVICE OF OUR BROTHERS

1. PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT

62.
The government of the Congregation is assured, at various levels, by appropriate
authorities: by chapters and by superiors with their councils. When exercised in a
spirit of service and collegiality, it is of help to the religious in their search for God
and it assures their unity in the fulfillment of their mission.
In chapters, authority is strictly collegial. In councils, authority is exercised by
superiors who make decisions in union with their council. Common and particular
law determine the cases in which the council’s vote is consultative, deliberative or
strictly collegial.
Superiors, at all levels, have a personal authority over persons and temporal goods.

63. The role of authority

Superiors shall be attentive to God’s design as manifested in events and interpreted
in the light of the Gospel and according to the spirit of the Congregation. By their
discernment they assist their brothers to work together for God’s plan. They
strengthen them in faith, especially in their times of trial. At the beginning of their
mandate, the superiors make the profession of faith (Canon 833).

64. Decentralization
In accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, government is carried out through
a just decentralization: each religious, community and level of government has full
responsibility to take the decisions that fall within each one’s competence, which
are seen to be necessary for the accomplishment of their tasks.

65. Co-responsibility and participation

Co-responsibility is expressed through fraternal dialogue and participation in the
decision-making process as it concerns the life and involvement of the community,
whether local, provincial or general. In this way each one becomes aware of his
duty to work and accept responsibility within the community and in relation to
superiors. Where necessary, superiors shall exercise their authority when it comes
to making a final decision.
All perpetually professed religious have active and passive voice, both for elections
to chapters and to any office, unless the priesthood or other conditions are also
required for passive voice.

66. Communication
The decentralization of government and the diversity of local Churches necessitate
reliable and regular communication between the religious themselves and at the
various levels of government, so as to assure effective coordination.
 Rule of Life 31

To achieve this, the provinces shall set up a system of communication between local
communities and the central government. At the general level, a permanent
secretariat shall circulate ample information throughout the Congregation in order
to promote better understanding and mutual assistance among the provinces.

2. THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT

67.
The general government is the highest bond of unity in the Congregation, whether
at the level of the spirit of the Congregation or that of its mission within the
universal Church.

The general chapter

68.
The general chapter, the highest authority in the Congregation, is a deliberative
assembly which represents the religious of the Institute as a whole. Its purpose is to
promote the unity of the Congregation, to renew it in fidelity to its mission and to
formulate a project in response to the demands of the Church and the world.

69. Frequency and convocation

The ordinary general chapter shall be held every six years. It is convoked by the
superior general, in accordance with the norms of the General Statutes and the
Directory for chapters.
For grave reasons, and with the agreement of his council, the superior general can
also convoke an extraordinary chapter.

70. Composition
1. The general chapter is composed of members by right and elected members.
a. By right: the superior general; his immediate predecessor, for the first
ordinary chapter after the completion of his mandate; all the general
consultors, and the treasurer general, whether leaving office or newly elected;
the provincial and regional superiors.
b. Elected: one delegate (or his substitute) from each province; one delegate
from each region having at least thirty members (not counting novices); one
supplementary delegate from each province having more than a hundred
members (not counting novices).
2. To ensure a fair representation of brothers and scholastics, of certain
geographical areas or remote houses, the general council may nominate several
supplementary delegates, in conformity with the General Statutes.

71. Competence
The general chapter is competent, at both the legislative and executive level, in all
that concerns the life and mission of the Congregation. In particular, it has the
responsibility, in accordance with the provisions of the General Statutes:
32 Rule of Life

1. to evaluate the state of the Institute and provide norms and guidelines for the
promotion of the religious and apostolic life in keeping with the spirit of the
Founder and the needs of the Church.
2. to elect the superior general, the general consultors, and the treasurer general.
3. normally, to establish, modify, unite and suppress provinces.
4. to make modifications to the Rule of Life. These changes, which require a two-
thirds majority of votes, are to be submitted to the Holy See for approbation. Once
such approbation has been obtained, they take effect “ad experimentum” from the
moment of their promulgation. However, they are not to be introduced into the Rule
of Life until they have been approved, with the same majority of votes, by the
following general chapter and after authorization to do so has been obtained from
the Holy See.
5. to determine the practical application of the Rule of Life, the authentic
interpretation of which is always reserved to the Holy See.
6. to draw up, with an absolute majority of votes, new numbers of the General
Statutes or modify the already existing ones.
7. to deal with all questions that concern the life and mission of the Institute and
that, in accordance with common law and our own particular law, fall within the
competence of the general chapter. To achieve this, it can make decisions binding
on all.

The general council

72.
The general council, in addition to the superior general who presides over it, is
composed of at least four consultors. It is the ordinary and permanent body
responsible for assisting the superior general and participates with him in the overall
government of the Congregation: it is at the service of its mission within the Church.
It collaborates with the various bodies of the Institute to keep it constantly in a state
of renewal and adaptation. In this work of animation it is guided by the orientations
and decisions of the general chapter.

73. The superior general - Election

The superior general is the highest authority in the Institute after the general chapter
and is president of the general council.
1. He is elected by the general chapter for a term of six years and, at the completion
of his mandate, may be re-elected once. He must be a priest, at least thirty five years
of age and ten years perpetually professed.
2. The election requires an absolute majority of the votes, according to a procedure
that foresees three ballots.
On the first and second ballots, the one who receives the absolute majority of the
electors present will be considered elected (cf. Can. 119 §1) or, in the case of a
postulation admitted by the Apostolic See, the one who has obtained two-thirds of
the votes.
 Rule of Life 33

After two inconclusive ballots, the only candidates considered will be the two who
have received the most votes on the second ballot, or if there are several, the two
oldest in profession, counting from the day on which each one made first profession
in the Congregation.
If, on the third ballot, the two candidates obtain an equal number of votes, the oldest
in profession will be considered elected. If they should have made profession on
the same day, the oldest in age will be considered elected.
3. If the office of superior general should become vacant, then the amplified general
council shall elect a successor for the period still remaining. If this should be less
than two years, the vicar general shall complete the term.

74. The superior general - Competence

The authority of the superior general extends, in accordance with law, to every
province, region and house and to every member of the Institute.
1. He exercises his authority at the service of the Congregation’s unity and its
mission in the world, in conformity with the norms of the Rule of Life.
2. In union with his council, he animates and coordinates the life and mission of the
Institute as a whole by, among other things, visits to the provinces and meetings
with individual religious.
3. He is the permanent and official representative of the Congregation to the highest
authorities of the Church and to international organizations, a function which he
may delegate to one of his consultors.
His duties are defined more precisely in the General Statutes.

75. The general consultors

The general consultors are elected by the general chapter, according to the
procedure set down in the General Statutes for chapter elections. Their term is for
six years and they are eligible for re-election. They must be at least thirty years of
age and five years perpetually professed. The consultors likewise exercise a role of
coordination and animation within the Institute.
If a consultor is unable to complete his term, the ordinary general council shall elect
his successor, after consultation with the members of the amplified general council.

76. The vicar general

The vicar general is chosen by the superior general from among the elected
consultors. Besides possessing the qualities required for consultors, he must also be
a priest.
He deputizes for the superior general when the latter is absent or is otherwise unable
to carry out his duties; at such times he enjoys the same powers as the superior
general.

77. Other general collaborators

Besides the general consultors, there are other permanent collaborators with the
superior general in the government of the Institute.
34 Rule of Life

1. The general procurator will be named by the general superior with the consent of
his council and after consultation with his provincial superior. He handles matters
of ordinary administration with the Holy See, in conformity with the directives of
the general council. He may be chosen from among the consultors.
2. The treasurer general is elected by the general chapter in the same way as the
general consultors. He administers the temporal goods of the Congregation under
the direction of the superior general and his council, in accordance with common
law and the particular law of the Institute. He may be chosen from among the
consultors, but he may not be vicar general.
3 If either of the above is unable to complete his term, the ordinary general council
shall elect his successor, after consultation with the members of the amplified
general council.

The amplified general council

78. The amplified general council

The amplified general council is an extraordinary body of government. Its main
function is to ensure a more effective collaboration between the provinces and the
general government by providing precise information on the general state of the
provinces and their particular problems. It is composed of the superior general and
his council, the treasurer general, the provincial and regional superiors. If a
provincial or regional superior is unable to attend, his vicar shall take his place. The
manner of its convocation and its competence are determined by the General
Statutes.

3. THE PROVINCE

79.
The province is an organic unity within the Congregation. It comprises a number of
houses taken as a whole, where the religious carry out their mission within a given
area and in cooperation with the local Church. It is equipped with the means and
structures necessary for its mission, and it enjoys the autonomy that belongs to it to
collaborate in building up the Body of Christ in the area where it is established. The
province creates personal bonds between all its members whom it unites in the
sharing of the same concerns and the realization of common objectives.
Each province lives in fellowship with the whole Congregation, especially through
the intermediary of the general government.

The provincial chapter

80. Convocation
The provincial chapter is the highest authority in the province. It is held in order to
study the state of the province as a whole and to update the provincial project in
line with changing conditions.
 Rule of Life 35

The ordinary provincial chapter is convoked periodically by the provincial superior,

in accordance with the norms of the General and Provincial Statutes. It is composed
of members by right and elected members.
For grave reasons, the provincial superior may convoke an extraordinary provincial
chapter, with the consent of his council and the approval of the superior general.

81. Composition
The provincial chapter is composed of members by right and elected members:
a. by right: the provincial superior and the regional superiors, whether
leaving office or newly elected; the provincial consultors and the
provincial treasurer, whether leaving office or newly elected.
The Statutes may determine a greater number of capitulars by right.
b. elected: delegates chosen according to the criteria determined by the
province. Their number must be at least equal to that of capitulars by right.

82. Competence
The provincial chapter is competent:
1. to elect the provincial superior, from a list of three names presented by the
superior general after an appropriate consultation with the province;
2. to elect the provincial consultors and the provincial treasurer, as well as the
delegates to the general chapter and their substitutes, according to the procedures
determined in our own laws governing chapter elections;
3. to request the general council to establish a region;
4. to draw up and revise provincial and regional statutes with the approval of the
general council;
5. to deal with any problem that, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, is
not reserved to the general administration.

The provincial council

83.
The ordinary provincial council, in addition to the provincial superior, who presides
over it, is composed of the provincial consultors. It is the permanent body which
assists the provincial superior and participates with him in the government of the
province. At its own level and in liaison with the central government, it exercises a
role analogous to that of the general council and enjoys corresponding rights.

84. The provincial superior

The provincial superior has authority over the whole province and is president of
the provincial council. In union with the other members of the council, he exercises
his authority in order to animate and coordinate the life and activity of the
communities of the province.
36 Rule of Life

He is elected by the provincial chapter, in accordance with the norms of the General
Statutes. He must be a priest, at least eight years professed and thirty years of age.
His mandate is for four years and is renewable once.

85. The provincial consultors

The number of provincial consultors and their mode of election are determined in
the General and Provincial Statutes. They exercise their mandate as collaborators
with the provincial superior, constantly attentive to their duty of coresponsibility.
They enjoy the right of consultative, deliberative and collegial vote, in accordance
with common law and the particular law of the Institute.

86. The provincial vicar

The provincial vicar must be a priest and at least eight years perpetually professed.
He is chosen, in accordance with the provincial statutes, from among the consultors.
He deputizes for the provincial superior if the latter is absent or is unable to carry
out his duties and succeeds him until the next provincial chapter if the office of
provincial superior should become vacant.

87. The provincial treasurer

The provincial treasurer is elected by the provincial chapter in the same way as the
provincial consultors. He may be chosen from among the elected consultors, but he
may not be provincial vicar. He administers the temporal goods of the province
under the direction of the provincial superior and his council, in accordance with
common law and the particular law of the Institute.

The amplified provincial council

88.
The amplified provincial council, an optional governing body, assures a broader
representation in the government and animation of the province.
Recourse to it is had especially when it is a question of making decisions that are
normally the responsibility of the provincial chapter but which, for reasons of
urgency, have to be made, as a provisional measure, before the chapter.
It is composed of the provincial superior, the provincial consultors, the provincial
treasurer and several representatives of the province, particularly those in charge of
various tasks and activities.
The norms to be followed in choosing the representatives of the province, as well
as the further areas of competence of the amplified provincial council, are
determined in the General Statutes and the statutes of each province.

89. Provincial commissions

The provincial chapter and the provincial council may set up commissions for
research and animation. These are at the service of the government of the province.

90. Expansion of a province

New communities manifest the apostolic dynamism of a province.
 Rule of Life 37

Those founded outside a country constitute the nucleus of future provinces. They
are to have the autonomy required for their development. The province shall
encourage and assist communities that are remote or facing difficulties.

The region
91. Nature
A region comprises a number of communities to which the province has granted a
certain autonomy.
When a group of communities constitutes a kind of unit, whether culturally or
otherwise, but does not have sufficient personnel at its disposal to form a province,
it can be set up as a region, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity. While
linked with its province of origin, a region tends toward becoming an autonomous
province.
The right and power to set up a region and to approve its statutes belong to the
general council, acting on the recommendation of a provincial chapter.

92. Powers
The region is administered and animated by a regional superior and his council.
The provincial superior, as determined by the Statutes, grants to the region, to a
greater or less extent, the powers enjoyed by the province.
In exercising these powers, the regional superior remains dependent on the
provincial superior and his council, especially in matters regarding admission to
religious life and to sacred orders.

Inter-provincial conferences
93.
When several provinces in the same geographical area are living under similar
conditions and closer collaboration is considered advisable, an inter-provincial
conference comprising the provinces and regions concerned may be set up, with the
consent of the superior general.
The statutes of these conferences are to be approved by the superior general and his
council. They shall indicate the conference’s competence, composition and manner
of operating.

4. THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

94.
The local community, basic unit of the province, brings a number of religious
together in order to live the Gospel according to the mission of the Congregation
within a particular Church.
The needs both of the province and of the dioceses demand a healthy diversity in
the type of communities. Each community, according to its particular objectives,
assumes its full responsibilities and is integrated organically into the province.
38 Rule of Life

Our communities live in religious houses, canonically erected by the superior

general with the consent of his council. Each religious lives there, except in cases
authorized in accordance with law.
The permission of the superior is required in order to preach to the religious in our
churches or oratories.

95. The local superior

Each local community shall have a superior appointed by the provincial superior
with the consent of his council, after an appropriate consultation with the
community, in accordance with the norms set down in common law and the
particular law of the Institute. He must be a priest and at least three years perpetually
professed. His appointment is for a term of four years, renewable in accordance
with the General Statutes.
The local superior exercises his authority at the service of his brothers and the
community. He ensures the unity of the community by seeing that its common
project is carried out with the collaboration of all. He maintains a fraternal
relationship with each one, while animating the communal life of his house in such
a way that it becomes a true family, united in the name of the Lord.

96. The local council

To ensure the animation and administration of the house, each local superior shall
have a council. It shall be composed of the superior and his vicar, as well as one or
more members of the community.
Each community shall have a treasurer, distinct if possible from the superior, to
administer the temporal goods of the house and provide for the material needs of
the community, under the authority of the superior.
The vicar and the treasurer are appointed by the provincial superior in accordance
with the norms of the General and Provincial Statutes.

97. Community meetings

Regular community meetings make it possible for all to participate in the life and
activity of the house. They afford the opportunity for a community, under the
direction of the superior, to reach agreement on the drawing up of a common
project, to implement it and to evaluate it.
This project concretizes that of the province, adapting it to particular situations. It
is to be submitted to the provincial superior for approval.

5. THE ADMINISTRATION OF TEMPORAL GOODS

98. Principles
The institute, the provinces, the regions and the houses have the legal right to
acquire, possess, administer and dispose of temporal goods, in conformity with
common law and the particular law of the Institute.
 Rule of Life 39

Goods are owned in common and each one is responsible for whatever part is in his
possession. They are for the service of people and of our mission.

99. Administration
The administration of temporal goods, while being a juridical act, is also an act of
poverty. Administrators shall find their supreme norm on the nature of these goods,
their purpose and their use in the Gospel and the Rule of Life. They shall observe
the established laws, both ecclesiastical and civil.
Extraordinary acts of administration are subject to the authorization of the
provincial or general council, depending on which is competent, and, in certain
cases specified in canon law, to the approbation of the Holy See.

6. SEPARATION FROM THE INSTITUTE

100.
In cases of exclaustration, leaving, dismissal, readmission or transfer to another
Institute, the norms of common law are to be observed. The major superiors who,
by law, are competent in the matter, shall proceed with patience, discernment and
charity as pastors caring for their brothers.
When a novice or a professed leaves the Institute, he cannot demand any
compensation for work done during his stay in the Congregation. We shall give him
moral support and, according to circumstances, materially help him to find his place
again in life.

VII.
THE VALUE TO BE ACCORDED
TO THE RULE OF LIFE
101.
This Rule of Life expresses the original inspiration of our Holy Founder adapted to
the continual growth of the Body of Christ and attentive to the needs and challenges
of the world.
The General Statutes express its principles more concretely and give practical
applications which hold good for the entire Institute.
By accepting it as a gift from the Lord and by conforming our lives to it, as our
profession commitment requires, we are strengthened in fidelity to our eucharistic
mission in the Church for the world.

102. Formula of religious profession

Summoned by the love of God
manifested in Jesus Christ
and celebrated in the Eucharist,
40 Rule of Life

I intend to respond to God’s gift

with the gift of myself.
I wish to live the Paschal Mystery,
to internalize it in prayer
before the Blessed Sacrament,
and to share with others the life
that springs from it.
For this reason, in order to follow Christ
in the way he is calling me,
before you, Reverend Father Provincial
(or superior...)
and in the presence of my brothers,
I, ...
make to God the annual (perpetual) vows
of chastity in the celibate state,
evangelical poverty
and obedience,
according to the Rule of Life of the
Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament.
By the grace of the Holy Spirit,
I commit myself to seek God
with a community of brothers.
I intend to take the Gospel
as my source of inspiration
in all that I do,
and to enter into the life of the Congregation,
which welcomes me as one of its members.
Trusting in the intercession
of the Virgin Mary
and Saint Peter Julian Eymard,
I ask you, Lord, in your ever faithful love,
to grant that I may commit my whole life
to the service of Christ
and my fellow human beings.
Grant that I may work at building a world
founded on justice and love,
so that the Reign of Christ may come
and your glory be revealed to the world.

***

Acclamation by all present:

For the Kingdom, the power and the glory

are yours, now and for ever.
 Rule of Life 41

TABLE OF CONTENTS

RULE OF LIFE

I. - Captivated by the love of God

1. The name of the Congregation......................................................................... 9
2. The Founder ..................................................................................................... 9
3. Our mission .................................................................................................... 10
4. The spirit of the Congregation ....................................................................... 11
5. A religious community .................................................................................. 11

II. - The call of the Gospel

6. A path traced out for our communities ......................................................... 11
7. A paschal community .................................................................................... 12
8. Unity and diversity......................................................................................... 12
9. Community and conversion ........................................................................... 12
10. Community and mission ................................................................................ 13
11. Community meetings ..................................................................................... 13
12. Infirm or elderly religious .............................................................................. 13
13. Death, a paschal event ................................................................................... 14
14. With Mary ...................................................................................................... 14

III. - A radical response

15. Religious profession ...................................................................................... 14
16. Chastity .......................................................................................................... 15
17. Poverty ........................................................................................................... 15
18. (Disposal of material goods) .......................................................................... 16
19. Obedience ...................................................................................................... 16
20. (Search for the will of God) ........................................................................... 17

IV. - “In memory of me”

21. (The celebration at the center) ....................................................................... 17

1. AROUND THE TABLE OF THE WORD AND THE BREAD

22. The Word of God ........................................................................................... 18
23. The liturgy of the Hours................................................................................. 18
24. The celebration and salvation history ............................................................ 18
25. The work of salvation .................................................................................... 19
26. Eschatological dimension .............................................................................. 19
27. Celebration and life ....................................................................................... 19

2. IN A PROFOUND ATMOSPHERE OF PRAYER

28. Celebration and prayer ................................................................................... 20
29. Response to the presence ............................................................................... 20
30. In the dynamism of the Eucharist .................................................................. 20
31. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament ............................................................ 21
32. Participation of the people ............................................................................ 21
42 Rule of Life

3. AS CHURCH AT THE SERVICE OF THE WORLD

33. Inspired by our holy Founder......................................................................... 21
34. The Eucharist, source of our mission............................................................. 22
35. In union with the Church ............................................................................... 22
36. Prophetic mission ........................................................................................... 22
37. Mission of social involvement ....................................................................... 23
38. Mission of unity ............................................................................................. 23
39. At the service of the Word ............................................................................. 24
40. Liturgy ........................................................................................................... 24
41. At the service of parishes and communities .................................................. 24
42. Centers of prayer and retreat .......................................................................... 25
43. Sharing our ideal ............................................................................................ 25
44. At the service of priests ................................................................................. 26
45. The press and other means of social communication .................................... 26

V. - A life-long need: Formation

46. (A life-long need)........................................................................................... 26
47. Vocation apostolate........................................................................................ 26

1. INITIAL FORMATION
48. (Stages) .......................................................................................................... 27
49. Admission ...................................................................................................... 27
50. Directors of formation ................................................................................... 27
51. The role of the directors ................................................................................. 27

The pre-novitiate

52. (Nature) .......................................................................................................... 27

The novitiate

53. (Nature and content) ...................................................................................... 28

54. Place and duration .......................................................................................... 28
55. The formation program .................................................................................. 28
56. Admission to profession ................................................................................ 28

Religious profession

57. (Duration and competent authority) ............................................................... 28

The scholasticate

58. (Nature) .......................................................................................................... 29

59. The formation program .................................................................................. 29
60. Admission to perpetual profession ................................................................ 29

2. LIFE-LONG FORMATION

61. (Necessity and means) ................................................................................... 29

 Rule of Life 43

VI. - At the service of our brothers

1. PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT

62. (Exercise of authority) ................................................................................... 30

63. The role of authority ...................................................................................... 30
64. Decentralization ............................................................................................ 30
65. Co-responsibility and participation ................................................................ 30
66. Communication .............................................................................................. 31

2. THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT

67. (Bond of unity)............................................................................................... 31

The general chapter

68. (Nature and purpose) ..................................................................................... 31

69. Frequency and convocation ........................................................................... 31
70. Composition ................................................................................................... 31
71. Competence ................................................................................................... 31

The general council

72. (Composition and role) .................................................................................. 32

73. The superior general - Election ...................................................................... 32
74. The superior general - Competence ............................................................... 33
75. The general consultors ................................................................................... 33
76. The vicar general ........................................................................................... 33
77. Other general collaborators ............................................................................ 33

The amplified general council

78. The amplified general council ....................................................................... 34

3. THE PROVINCE

79. (Nature) .......................................................................................................... 34

The provincial chapter

80. Convocation ................................................................................................... 34

81. Composition ................................................................................................... 35
82. Competence ................................................................................................... 35

The provincial council

83. (Composition and role) .................................................................................. 35

84. The provincial superior .................................................................................. 35
85. The provincial consultors............................................................................... 36
86. The provincial vicar ....................................................................................... 36
87. The provincial treasurer ................................................................................. 36
44 Rule of Life

The amplified provincial council

88. (Nature and composition) .............................................................................. 36

89. Provincial commissions ................................................................................. 36
90. Expansion of a province ................................................................................ 36

The region

91. Nature............................................................................................................. 37
92. Powers ............................................................................................................ 37

Inter-provincial conferences

93. (Purpose and nature) ...................................................................................... 37

4. THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

94. (Nature) .......................................................................................................... 37

95. The local superior .......................................................................................... 38
96. The local council ............................................................................................ 38
97. Community meetings ..................................................................................... 38

5. THE ADMINISTRATION OF TEMPORAL GOODS

98. Principles ....................................................................................................... 38

99. Administration ............................................................................................... 39

6. SEPARATION FROM THE INSTITUTE

100. (Prescriptions to be observed) ..................................................................... 39

VII. - The value to be accorded to the Rule of Life

101. (A gift to be accepted) ................................................................................. 39

102. Formula of religious profession ................................................................... 39
ART CONGREGATION of the BLESSED SACRAMENT 2017

GENERAL STATUTES

VADE-MECUM

ANNEXES
 ART CONGREGATION of the BLESSED SACRAMENT
2017
GENERAL STATUTES

SUMMARY

PRELIMINARIES ......................................................................................... 53
00.01 Purpose of the Statutes
00.02 Nature of the Statutes
00.03 Amendments and interpretation

I - CAPTIVATED BY THE LOVE OF GOD .................................................. 54

01.01 Official title of the Congregation
01.02 The members of the Institute
01 03 Fellowship with the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament
01.04 Participation of priests and laity
02.01 The Founder
03.01 Esteem for the Eucharist Mystery

II - THE CALL OF THE GOSPEL ................................................................ 55

06.01 One same Call

Community life ............................................................................................ 55

07.01 Elements
07.02 Means to achieve fellowship

Unity and diversity ...................................................................................... 55

08.01 Principle
08.02 Unity
08.03 Diversity
08.04 Residence
08.05 Living outside our houses
08.06 Religious in difficulties

Reconciliation ............................................................................................. 57

09.01 Penitential celebrations

09.02 Sacrament of reconciliation

Community and Mission ............................................................................ 57

10.01 Religious on mission

48 General Statutes

Meetings - Spiritual retreats - Feasts ....................................................... 57

11.01 Community meetings

11.02 Spiritual retreats
11.03 Feasts to be celebrated
11.04 Local feasts
12.01 Anointing of the sick and Viaticum
13.01 Suffrages for the deceased
14.01 With Mary

III - A RADICAL RESPONSE ...................................................................... 59

Religious profession .................................................................................. 59

15.01 Stages
15.02 Profession
15.03 Perpetual profession

Chastity ........................................................................................................ 59

16.01 Formation
16.02 Means

Poverty ......................................................................................................... 59

18.01 Disposal of personal property

18.02 Individual practice of poverty
18.03 Community practice of poverty

Obedience .................................................................................................... 60

19.01 Lawful authorities and Superiors

19.02 Spirit
19.03 Practice

IV - “IN MEMORY OF ME” .......................................................................... 62

21.01 Animation

1. AROUND THE TABLE OF THE WORD AND THE BREAD ................................ 62

22.01 The Word of God

23.01 The Liturgy of the Hours
24.01 Celebration of the Eucharist: authenticity
24.02 Community celebrations

2. IN A PROFOUND ATMOSPHERE OF PRAYER ............................................... 62

Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament ...................................................... 62

29.01 Necessity
29.02 Organisation of the service of adoration
31.01 Exposition
32.01 Community adorations
32.02 Nocturnal adoration
 General Statutes 49

3. IN THE CHURCH AT THE SERVICE OF THE WORLD ...................................... 63

33.01 The Founder

Our proper works ........................................................................................ 63

34.01 Our traditional works

34.02 Priorities
35.01 Global dimension of our mission

Our missions: presence among the young Churches ............................ 64

35.02 Purpose and activity

35.03 Preparation of missionaries
35.04 Solidarity with our missionaries
36.01 Prophetic mission
37.01 Mission of social Involvement
38.01 Mission of unity

Parish ministry ............................................................................................ 65

41.01 An expression of our mission

41.02 Conditions of acceptance and termination
41.03 Choice of personnel
41.04 Parish apostolate
41.05 Other forms of commitment
44.01 At the service of priests
45.01 Publications

V - A LIFE-LONG NEED: FORMATION ...................................................... 67

47.01 Vocation apostolate

1. INITIAL FORMATION ................................................................................. 67

50.01 Formation directors

The pre-novitiate ......................................................................................... 67

52.01 The postulancy

The novitiate ................................................................................................ 68

53.01 Admission
54.01 Location
55.01 The master of novices
55.02 Novitiate studies
55.03 Contact with the novices
55.04 A single novitiate
56.01 Admission to first profession

Religious profession .................................................................................. 69

57.01 Making of profession

57.02 Dispensation from temporary profession

The scholasticate ........................................................................................ 69

50 General Statutes

58.01 The director of scholastics

59.01 Programme of studies
59.02 Spiritual direction
60.01 Admission to renewal of profession, perpetual profession and orders
60.02 Preparation for professions and orders

2. ONGOING FORMATION ............................................................................ 70

61.01 Perspectives
61.02 Studies within the various fields of our mission

VI - AT THE SERVICE OF OUR BROTHERS ............................................. 72

1. PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT ................................................................. 72

62.01 Principles of government

63.01 Role of authority
64.01 Notification of decisions
65.01 Conditions of eligibility and appointment to various
offices in the Congregation

Elections ...................................................................................................... 73

65.02 Calculation of an absolute majority for elections

65.03 Procedure for elections
65.04 Procedure for other collegial acts

Communications ......................................................................................... 74

66.01 Purpose of reports

66.02 Reports by communities
66.03 Reports on candidates
66.04 Reports by local Superiors
66.05 Reports by Regions and Provinces
66.06 Reports by the local Treasurer
66.07 Reports by the Regional/Provincial Treasurer
66.08 Other communications
66.09 Archives
66.10 Secret Archives

2. THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT .................................................................. 75

The General Chapter .................................................................................. 75

69.01 Convocation
69.02 Preparation
70.01 Composition
71.01 Authority
71.02 Publication of the acts

The General Council ................................................................................... 76

72.01 Powers - with deliberative voice

72.02 Powers - with consultative and collegial voice
72.03 Replacement of absent General Consultors
74.01 The Superior General - powers
75.01 The General Consultors
 General Statutes 51

76.01 The Vicar General

77.01 The Treasurer General
77.02 The Secretary of the General Council
77.03 The community of the General House
77.04 The communities dependent on the Generalate

The Amplified General Council .................................................................. 80

78.01 Convocation
78.02 Authority
78.03 International Commissions

3. THE PROVINCE ....................................................................................... 80

79.01 Constitution and suppression

The Provincial chapter ............................................................................... 80

80.01 Convocation
81.01 Composition
81.02 Selective ballot
81.03 Vote by proxy or by correspondence
81.04 Preparation of the chapter
82.01 Authority of the chapter
82.02 Procedure for the designation of candidates
to the office of Provincial/Regional Superior
82.03 Election of the Provincial/Regional Superior
82.04 Procedure for other elections
82.05 After the chapter
82.06 The Provincial Statutes
82.07 Publication of the acts

The Provincial Council ............................................................................... 83

83.01 Composition
83.02 Rote of animation
83.03 Powers - with deliberative voice
83.04 Powers - with consultative and collegial voice
83.05 Further powers
84.01 The Provincial/Regional Superior - powers
87.01 The Provincial Treasurer

The Amplified Provincial/Regional Council - Provincial/Reg. Assembly 86

88.01 Composition
88.02 Authority
89.01 Provincial/Regional Commissions or secretariats

Foundation and suppression of a house ................................................. 86

90.01 Criteria
90.02 Consultation
90.03 Report
90.04 Contract
90.05 Foundation in the territory of another Province/Region
90.06 Suppression of a house
52 General Statutes

The Region .................................................................................................. 87

91.01 Nature and erection

92.01 Powers
92.02 Representation
92.03 Designation of the Provincial

Geographical Conference .......................................................................... 88

93.01 Establishment and Powers

4. THE LOCAL COMMUNITY .......................................................................... 88

94.01 Community life

The local Superior ...................................................................................... 88

95.01 Appointment
95.02 Role

The local Council ........................................................................................ 89

96.01 The local Council

96.02 Various services within the community
97.01 Community project and local statutes

5. THE ADMINISTRATION OF GOODS ............................................................. 90

98.01 The administration of goods

98.02 Stable Patrimony of the Congregation or of a Province/Region
98.03 Inventory
98.04 Evaluations
98.05 Goods not belonging to any Province/Region

Ordinary administration ............................................................................. 90

99.01 Common ownership of goods

99.02 Disposal
99.03 Reports
99.04 Responsibility for ordinary expenses

Extraordinary administration .................................................................... 91

99.05 Responsibility for extraordinary administration

99.06 Determination of the limited amount
99.07 Disposal of goods
99.08 Acceptance of obligations
99.09 Reports to the General Council in financial matters

6. SEPARATION FROM THE INSTITUTE .......................................................... 92

100.01 Procedure
 General Statutes 53

GENERAL STATUTES

PRELIMINARIES

00.01 Purpose of the Statutes

The General Statutes concretise the principles of the Rule of Life and determine the practical or
juridical norms for their application that are valid for the whole Institute (cf. RL 101). Their
purpose is to ensure that, within a healthy decentralisation, we live a true fellowship in the unity
of a common commitment, and to promote the development of the Institute in keeping with the
spirit of the Rule of Life.

00.02 Nature of the Statutes

1. The Statutes are inserted, like the Rule of Life, within the perspective of communion proposed
by the Second Vatican Council for the life of the Church. They therefore promote, in every sector,
co-participation, subsidiarity, co-responsibility and involvement in the activity of the universal
Church.

2. Their spirit is drawn from the principles that govern Canon Law: clarity in what is constitutive,
flexibility in what is disciplinary. Except for what is strictly juridical, they are general orientations
to be further determined rather than particular norms to be applied.

00.03 Amendments and interpretation

1. It pertains to the General Chapter to establish new Statutes and to modify the existing ones,
in harmony with the Rule of Life. An absolute majority is sufficient and recourse to the Holy See
is not required.

2. Between Chapters, the General Council is competent to give an authentic interpretation of

the Statutes.
54 General Statutes

I - CAPTIVATED BY THE LOVE OF GOD

01.01 Official title of the Congregation

1. The official name of the Congregation is "Congregatio Sanctissimi Sacramenti".

2. When signing their name, all our professed religious may add the letters S.S.S. (Societas
Sanctissimi Sacramenti).

01.02 The members of the Institute

There exists a basic equality amongst all the members of the Institute: priests, deacons and
brothers. All work together, in brotherly fellowship, for the realization of the same vocation and
strive to bear witness to a religious life which is at the service of the Eucharistic Mystery
according to the Rule of Life.

01.03 Fellowship with the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament

The Congregation manifests a particular spirit of fellowship with the Congregation of the
Servants of the Blessed Sacrament, which originated from the same Founder and shares the
same Eucharistic charism.

01.04 Participation of priests and laity

The Congregation closely associates priests and laity with its own Eucharistic mission, and in a
special way the secular Institute, Servitium Christi. The Provinces/Regions shall find ways and
means of achieving this closer sharing in our spirit and life.

02.01 The Founder

We shall study the life and spirituality of our Holy Founder and the history of the Congregation,
as well as the orientations of the contemporary Church and the challenges of our environment.

03.01 Esteem for the Eucharistic Mystery

As sons of Father Eymard, we have a particular concern to explore, revitalise and promote the
riches of the Eucharistic Mystery, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and in keeping with the
orientations of the Church and the Rule of Life.
 General Statutes 55

II - THE CALL OF THE GOSPEL

06.01 One same Call

While it is true that each one's abilities and talents involve us in a diversity of duties, we all obey
the one same call: to live the Gospel under the inspiration of Saint Peter Julian Eymard.

Community life

07.01 Elements

Community life becomes possible to the extent that we are attentive to the following objectives:

1. To create conditions that allow the individual to grow in an authentic way according to the
vocation received.

2. To develop in each one a sense of belonging to one and the same family, at the level of the
community, the Region, the Province and the Congregation.

3. To become signs of fellowship through living together the experience of faith, prayer, the
Eucharist and the sharing of goods and resources.

4. To be promoters of fellowship through the witness of a strong sense of Church, encouraging

collaboration among all those who are active in the Church or who are engaged in human
development, justice and peace.

07.02 Means to achieve fellowship

1. Fellowship is nourished by common prayer and by periodic participation of all in a common

Eucharist.

2. We shall make use of human resources such as: a high level of intercommunication to sustain
friendship and cordiality, periods of relaxation taken together and meetings between the various
communities.

3. Each Province/Region shall determine the means it intends to implement: sessions on human
relations, animation, exchange of information, ongoing formation.

Unity and Diversity

08.01 Principle

We accept diversity, that is, different ways of living the Rule of Life in the Congregation, between
the Provinces/Regions and between the communities.

08.02 Unity

In one and the same community, in order to foster unity within diversity, it is necessary:

1. To arrive at a consensus on a number of concrete options concerning life style, prayer,

pastoral plan and the practices of community life and to accept these as fundamental
expressions of living together in community.

2. To share the various tasks equitably among all, in relation to a common project.

3. To accept the developmental path being taken by the individuals and the community.
56 General Statutes

4. To have recourse to the findings of human behavioural sciences and, if necessary, to the help
of specialists.

5. To consider the need, in certain situations, of restructuring the community.

08.03 Diversity

In one and the same Province/Region, the communities may have different ways of approaching
the same basic values. Therefore the unity of the Province/Region requires that each one be
prepared to accept, in the charity of Christ, those communities whose life style and commitments
are linked to different choices.

The role of authority, in the matter of diversity, is to help in maintaining fellowship in the search
for unity in diversity.

08.04 Residence

"Religious are to reside in their own religious house and observe the common life" (can. 665 §
1). The major superior shall assign each religious to the house to which he is to belong.

08.05 Living outside our houses

1. The Major Superior, for a written request and with the consent of his Council, may give
permission for a religious to live outside one of the houses of the Institute, but not for more than
a year, except for the following cases:
a. For reasons of health or studies, apostolic activities carried out on behalf of the Institute (cf.
can. 665) and that respect the norms of the universal law and particular law. These can be
prolonged according to necessity;
b. for other special cases, with a just reason, the permission will have a duration which must
non exceed one year.

2. The authorisation is given in writing and should always include the reason for the permission
and the duration of the absence as well as the forms of participation in the life of a community
of the Institute and the sharing of goods which the religious must observe during the time spent
outside his house.

3. At the expiry of the authorized period, an evaluation is to be made. If the same reasons
maintain, the permission is renewable, but special reasons of necessity are required considering
the importance of living in community, apart for cases related to health care, for study reasons
or ministry exercised in the name of the Institute.

4. A religious who lives outside his house without authorization loses his right to active and
passive vote in the Congregation.

5. “A religious who unlawfully leaves his religious house with the intention of withdrawing himself
from the authority of his superiors shall be solicitously sought out and helped to come back and
persevere in his vocation” (can. 665, § 2).

6. If these attempts by the superiors prove unsuccessful and the religious refuses to comply,
then one may proceed in accordance with number 19.03/4 and 19.03/5 of these General
Statutes.

08.06 Religious in difficulties

1. Our religious, especially superiors, shall show a particular charity towards their brothers who
prove to be weak or who are undergoing a crisis. This charity shall be carried out with
understanding, forgiveness and continuous prayer, without judging or condemning.

2. If possible the one in charge keeps in contact with these religious by means of visits,
communicating information concerning the Province/Region, arranging personal meetings or
meetings with a group of those who are living in similar situations.
 General Statutes 57

3. However, if a religious, whether living within or outside a community, refuses, regularly and
without just cause, to participate in the expressions of community life to which he is bound, the
one responsible or the local superior shall challenge him, in a brotherly and frank dialogue,
regarding the demands of our religious life to the point, if necessary, of issuing a canonical
admonition.

Reconciliation

09.01 Penitential celebrations

There shall be liturgical penitential celebrations in our communities. The most suitable times for
these are Advent and Lent, as well as during the monthly or annual retreats.

09.02 Sacrament of reconciliation

"Religious are earnestly to strive for the conversion of soul to God. They are to examine their
conscience daily, and to approach the sacrament of penance frequently" (can. 664).

Community and Mission

10.01 Religious on mission

A religious charged by the Province/Region with a mission outside of one of our houses always
belongs to his community.

Meetings - Spiritual retreats - Feasts

11.01 Community meetings

1. At least once a month the members of the community shall meet together. It pertains to the
superior to call these meetings, to post the agenda in due time and to preside over them.
2. A secretary shall be designated who shall draw up a brief summary, at least of any decisions
taken, and forward it to the Provincial/Regional Superior. Someone may also be designated to
lead the discussions.

11.02 Spiritual retreats

1. Every month, as much as possible, a day for spiritual renewal shall be provided for in each
community.
2. Each year, all the religious shall devote at least five full days to making a spiritual retreat.

11.03 Feasts to be celebrated

The following feasts shall be celebrated with special attention in the Congregation:
1. The solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), the principal and titular feast
of the Congregation;
2. The feast of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, our principal Patroness: May 13, anniversary
of the founding of the Congregation;
3. The solemnity of St. Peter Julian Eymard, Founder of the Congregation: August 2nd. In those
places where it is not celebrated on August 2nd, it is to be transferred to February 5th,
anniversary of the baptism of our Founder.
58 General Statutes

11.04 Local feasts

The Provincial/Regional Statutes shall determine the feasts to be celebrated in the

Province/Region as well as their liturgical rank, e.g. the feast of the principal patron of the
Province/Region, the titular feast and those of secondary patrons.

12.01 Anointing of the sick and Viaticum

We shall attach great importance in our communities to the anointing of the sick and to the
Eucharist celebrated or received as Viaticum, signs of participation in the mystery of the death
of the Lord and his return to the Father.

13.01 Suffrages for the deceased

Just as the Eucharist unites us during life, so it keeps us united when death separates us. In our
prayers and celebrations we shall continue to give evidence of our charity towards our deceased
brothers and shall trust in their intercession.

1. Upon being notified of the death of one of our religious, each community shall celebrate the
Eucharist for him. In so far as it is possible, the celebration should be one in which the community
takes part. The name of the religious shall be mentioned as well as the principal events of his
life. On the same day, all the religious shall remember him in their prayers and adoration.
The Provincial/Regional Statutes shall determine what other suffrages are to be offered in the
community of the deceased and in the other communities of his Province/Region.

2. For all the deceased of the Congregation, as well as for our deceased relatives and the friends
of our communities, once a year on a convenient day and if possible with the participation of the
laity, each community shall celebrate:
a. the office of the dead, or a prayer vigil for their intention;
b. a Mass concelebrated by all the priests of the community with the participation of all the
religious.

The office of the dead replaces the corresponding part of the office of the day, namely that of
the Hour which accompanies the Mass. The other parts of the office of the dead may also
replace the office of that day.

It is permitted to binate in order to take part in this annual concelebration for our deceased.

3. For the Pope and the Bishops, our religious shall take part in the suffrages organized by the
local Church.

14.01 With Mary

Aware of the important role played by the Virgin Mary in the life of our Founder and in the
tradition of the Institute, each religious shall cultivate particular devotion towards the mother of
Jesus.
Each community shall make sure to promote special veneration of Mary and shall celebrate her
liturgical feasts, especially those of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament and the Immaculate
Conception, traditional in the Congregation.
 General Statutes 59

III - A RADICAL RESPONSE

Religious profession
15.01 Stages

The religious who consecrate themselves to God and to the Church in our Institute shall observe
the stages described in the chapter on formation (cf. GS 47.01 - 60.02).

15.02 Profession

1. In our Institute religious profession consists in pronouncing the public vows of chastity, poverty
and obedience according to the Rule of the Congregation.

2. By first profession a person becomes a member of the Institute, with all the rights and
obligations proper to religious, except those that require perpetual profession or priesthood.

15.03 Perpetual profession

Perpetual profession is the definitive commitment by which the religious consecrates himself
forever to the service of God and the Church as a member of the Congregation. The rite of
perpetual profession shall be carried out with particular solemnity and in the presence of our
religious and the faithful.

Chastity
16.01 Formation

During the period of formation, attention shall be paid to formation in chastity and to the
progressive development of the personality of the one who aspires to the religious life, in such
a way that the choice of celibacy is integrated into a programme of life that provides meaning to
his sexuality and affectivity rather than being the result of a distrust with regard to them.

16.02 Means

Chastity is not acquired once and for all; it is the result of an arduous conquest and daily
commitment. Our religious shall strive to be faithful to their profession, with constant trust in the
Word of the Lord, the help of God and the protection of the Virgin Mary.

Rather than trusting in the sufficiency of their strength, they should learn to master their senses
and passions; with due discretion they shall make use of natural aids to physical health and
psychological stability.

They shall preferably make use of positive means such as prayer, application to their work,
involvement in a project, openness to others, cordiality towards their fellow brothers and
superiors, contact with the human realities of life, joy of spirit and, above all, charity.

Poverty
18.01 Disposal of personal property

1. Deeds regulating the disposal and settlement of inherited family goods should be drawn up
in accordance with the form prescribed by Canon and civil law and shall remain in force
throughout the whole period of religious vows. A copy shall be kept in the Provincial/Regional
archives.

2. Whatever a religious may acquire by way of legitimate inheritance or by strictly personal

entitlement, shall remain the property of the religious; he shall arrange for its disposal in
accordance with what was determined before his profession.
60 General Statutes

3. Any perpetually professed religious can also forego the ownership of his possessions, wholly
or in part, with the consent of the Superior General (cf. can. 668, § 4). The forgoing of his
patrimony however requires the following conditions:
a. the religious must be at least forty years of age and ten years perpetually professed;
b. he must make the request in writing;
c. the permission is given by the Superior General;
d. one should be very prudent when it is a question of foregoing one's patrimony in favour of
the Congregation.

18.02 Individual practice of poverty

1. In the practice of poverty it is not enough simply to rely on superiors; each religious must
practise actual poverty, ever attentive to the demands of the Gospel.

2. Each religious in good health shall witness to evangelical poverty by his generous application
to work, whether it be inside or outside the community.

3. In the use of money, each religious is answerable to his superior, to whom he should render
an account according to the norms laid down in each Province/Region.

18.03 Community practice of poverty

The community as such should give a collective witness of poverty. Its life should be marked by
simplicity and sharing.

1. The habitual usages in matters of lodgings, food, clothing, transport and recreation shall be
modest. New constructions shall be noted for their moderation and there shall be no hesitation
in quitting large unoccupied houses or large unused properties. Each one shall hand in, for the
good of all, whatever he has gained through work and shall receive his fair share according to
his needs and without regard to what he earns.

2. The communities shall be attentive to the various ways of engaging in the struggle against
misery and injustice in the contemporary world. Freed from the constraints of a consumer
society, they shall take up the defence of the rights of the poor, they shall live in solidarity with
those who commit themselves to justice and peace and they shall seek to promote an
evangelical concept of the possession of goods.

3. The whole human family shall be included in an effective and discerning sharing of our goods.
Each community and each Province/Region ought to estimate in their budget the exact amount
they intend to devote to the needs of the Church, the poor, our missions and to the development
of the people of the Third World. Attention should also be paid to the needs of other communities
or Provinces/Regions in difficulty and a willingness should be shown towards participating in
projects beneficial to the Province/Region, or the Congregation.

Obedience
19.01 Lawful authorities and Superiors

The lawful authorities are the General or Provincial/Regional Chapter and all superiors and their
vicars. Moreover, religious owe obedience to the Sovereign Pontiff by virtue of their vow (cf.
can. 590, § 2) and to the local Ordinaries within the field of their powers.

19.02 Spirit

The bonds which unite the religious to authority, far from being expressed in terms of power and
subjection, are expressed rather as an attitude and a willingness to be of mutual service. It is in
this spirit of fellowship that each one accepts the service which is his, in the certainty of working,
each one according to his role, to build up the Body of Christ.
 General Statutes 61

19.03 Practice

1. The practice of obedience can be difficult at times and demands a spirit of renunciation and
sacrifice. For this reason it requires a spirit of faith, a sense of responsibility, dedication to the
mission of the Congregation, an ability to dialogue and fraternal support.

2. When difficulties arise, patient efforts should be made, through dialogue and prayer, to find
the right solutions while safeguarding harmony and unity. The superior always retains the right
to make the final decision.

3. If a religious is the object of an adverse decision, he should normally be given the reasons,
and also should be able to have recourse to a higher authority.

4. If a religious refuses to comply with serious and important decisions, the General or Provincial
Superior (the last one in dialogue with the Regional Superior, when it concerns a religious of a
Region), with the consent of his Council, may issue an order which the religious is bound to
obey in virtue of his vow of obedience.
Such an order must be given in writing or in the presence of two witnesses.

5. If the religious refuses to obey and after all fraternal and pastoral admonitions have been tried
out, he can be dismissed from the Institute in accordance with the principles of universal law
and the particular law of our Institute (cf. can. 697 ff.).
62 General Statutes

IV - “IN MEMORY OF ME”

21.01 Animation

The primary concern of the Provinces/Regions shall be to provide their communities and
religious with means capable of leading them to a deeper exploration of the meaning of the
Eucharist in keeping with contemporary views in doctrine, liturgy and local pastoral practice.

1. AROUND THE TABLE OF THE WORD AND THE BREAD

22.01 The Word of God

Our prayer should be nourished by the Word of God, transmitted through Sacred Scripture or
manifested in events. Sharing the Word of God during the Liturgy of the Hours, the Eucharistic
celebration and community adorations is extremely helpful. Each community shall determine the
frequency of this sharing.

23.01 The Liturgy of the Hours

1. The daily rhythm of our community life is usually determined by the Liturgy of the Hours.
Lauds, the morning prayer, and Vespers, the evening prayer, constitute the nucleus of our
community celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours.
2. While appreciating that each Hour has its appropriate time, we should choose a time for their
celebration that would favour the widest participation of the community and would allow the
faithful to take part as well.

24.01 Celebration of the Eucharist: authenticity

The celebration of the Eucharist is the focal point of our vocation; for this reason, we shall be
very attentive to making our celebration authentic, striving to make it the centre of our daily life
as well as that of the faithful. We shall try to make it more genuine and thus more fruitful for our
religious ministry.

24.02 Community celebrations

1. Since concelebration expresses the unity of the priesthood and strengthens the bonds of
brotherhood among the people of God, superiors shall foster it whenever pastoral reasons do
not require the celebration of several Masses.
2. Where a community celebration of the Eucharist is not possible every day, it should take place
as regularly as possible: it will thus become the sacrament of the fellowship of all members and
of their unity.

2. IN A PROFOUND ATMOSPHERE OF PRAYER

Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament

29.01 Necessity

As a prolongation of the grace of the Eucharistic sacrifice, prayer before the Blessed Sacrament
is of vital necessity to us. Every religious shall faithfully apply himself to this prayer, keeping in
mind that "the grace of the Society is a grace of prayer" (Father Eymard).

29.02 Organisation of the service of adoration

Each community, with the collaboration of all its members, shall determine the continuity, the
 General Statutes 63

duration, the form and the organisation of its prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, taking into
account not only its pastoral value but also the needs of the community as well as the situation
of each individual.
These arrangements are to be approved by the Provincial/Regional Superior and his Council.

31.01 Exposition

1. In exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, everything is to be regulated so that the faithful

engaged in prayer will be attentive to Christ the Lord who wished, in instituting the Eucharist, to
be our nourishment, our remedy and our support.

2. In order to bring out the relationship between adoration and the Eucharistic celebration,
exposition of the Blessed Sacrament shall ordinarily be made on the altar at the end of Mass.

32.01 Community adorations

Community adorations, with readings, singing, sharing and silence, manifest the ecclesial
dimension of prayer before the Eucharist.
Our communities shall encourage them and take care to put them into practice in association
with the faithful.

32.02 Nocturnal adoration

Adoration in the evening or at night should be encouraged where it proves feasible and desirable
for the community and the faithful, especially on the occasion of certain feasts of the Lord.

3. IN THE CHURCH AT THE SERVICE OF THE WORLD

33.01 The Founder

The work of reflecting on our Founder and our mission in the Church should be kept up at all
levels of the Institute: General, Provincial, Regional and local.

Our proper works

34.01 Our traditional works

1. The works to which our Founder was genuinely attached and which were subsequently
considered as our own proper works are:
a. the Aggregation of the Blessed Sacrament;
b. the Work of first communion of adults;
c. the Work for priests, of which the Association of Priest-Adorers has been one form of
realization.

2. These works are an extension of the life of the Congregation beyond its own borders. Where
they exist, our Provinces/Regions and our communities shall seek to adapt them in such a way
that they correspond to the orientations of the Rule of Life.

34.02 Priorities

1. The preferred ministries which our Founder proposed in the Constitutions (Part 1, chaps.
XXV-XXIX) constitute our spiritual heritage:
a. the apostolate of prayer and the work of adoration (216);
b. the sciences and the arts which have reference to worship of the Eucharist (218, 224-229);
c. the study of liturgy (219);
d. hospitality towards priests (220);
e. instruction of poor youth for first communion (221);
f. retreats (222, 230-232);
64 General Statutes

g. the ministry of preaching (223, 233-238);

h. confessions (223, 239-248)
i. ministry in the field of publications (229).

2. After the example of the Founder who knew how to express his commitment as a response
to specific calls and always in the perspective of the Eucharist, we find in these ministries
indicated above an inspiration capable of mobilizing us not only to give them an updated form,
but also to engage us in new expressions of apostolic ministry, as for example:
a. the formation of candidates for ecclesial ministries;
b. the formation of evangelical communities, such as basic christian communities;
c. the animation of apostolic movements, of Catholic action, and the formation of committed
lay people;
d. houses or centres of prayer, shrines;
e. the promotion of ecumenism;
f. cooperation with groups involved in research and publication;
g. Eucharistic congresses;
h. Eucharistic conferences.

3. The Provincial authorities, or the Regional authorities in dialogue with the Provincial Superior,
shall establish priorities and shall see to it that in the Provincial/Regional and community projects
an effort is made to realize various aspects of the Congregation's mission.

35.01 Global dimension of our mission

1. It pertains to the Province/Region and not to the communities taken singly to express the
mission of the Congregation in a global and balanced way.

2. Each Province/Region should concretize its mission and Eucharistic spirit by taking care to
draw up a pastoral plan that would determine the precise procedures to be followed in dealing
with the matters that seem to be the most important, and to make a periodic evaluation of this
plan, normally on the occasion of the Provincial/Regional Chapter (cf. GS 82.01/2).

Our missions: presence among the young Churches

35.02 Purpose and activity

1. Our presence among the young Churches shall be encouraged as one example of our
apostolic commitment, to be carried out in harmony with the orientations of the local Churches.

2. Our religious shall respect the local culture and adapt their evangelizing efforts to it, and shall
prepare lay people to carry out their proper roles.

3. They shall foster vocations to the various ministries of the diocese and, with due prudence
and discretion, shall welcome religious vocations with a view to forming indigenous communities
of our Institute.

35.03 Preparation of missionaries

The Provinces/Regions shall see to it that the religious chosen to live outside their own country,
and particularly in mission countries, are able to prepare themselves sufficiently beforehand in
the knowledge of the languages, places and culture.

35.04 Solidarity with our missionaries

1. Solidarity between the Provinces/Regions and their missionary communities shall be carefully
maintained both on the part of the missionaries themselves and on the part of the other religious.
The latter shall help them generously by their material and spiritual support and welcome them
home fraternally when they return for holidays.

2. The Provincial/Regional Statutes shall provide for the organization of a mission office to
 General Statutes 65

support the missionary effort.

36.01 Prophetic mission

We are called through our charism to exercise a prophetic mission:

a. in becoming aware of the needs and the hopes of mankind through attention to events, the
analysis of reality and the reading of the signs of the times;
b. in discerning, in the light of the Word of God in dialogue and contemplation-adoration, the
signs of good and evil;
c. and in seeing ourselves as being sent out to all mankind, especially the poor and the needy,
in order to denounce evil and proclaim the Kingdom.

37.01 Mission of social involvement

For our mission of social involvement we need to have a critical understanding of social,
economic, political, cultural and religious realities as well as being skilled in interpreting the signs
of the times in the light of the Word of God.
In our ministry of the Word in particular, we should proclaim this social dimension of salvation.
Through the orientations of the Rule of Life (nn. 3,17), the Lord is inviting us to make, in our
lives, the preferential option for the poor, such as it was lived by our holy Founder.

38.01 Mission of unity

Our religious shall be particularly sensitive to whatever can promote union and fellowship
between people. They shall especially promote ecumenism, the pastoral ministry of fellowship
and initiatives to remedy every form of division or “marginalisation”.
Superiors shall see to the training of qualified religious to work in these fields.

Parish ministry
41.01 An expression of our mission

1. Parish ministry is one way of expressing our mission. It pertains to the Provincial Superior, or
to the Regional Superior in dialogue with the Provincial Superior, with the deliberative vote of
their Council to accept parishes in their respective territory and to allow a religious to receive an
appointment to a parish not confided to us.

2. Taking charge of a parish must be integrated into a Provincial/Regional and community

project; because of this, the Province/Region shall see to it that parish commitments do not
become too numerous or are carried out to the detriment of other possible expressions of our
ministry.

41.02 Conditions of acceptance and termination

In our parish pastoral ministry we shall give expression to our mission in making our own
contribution. If the concrete situation of a parish does not allow us to live important elements of
the Rule of Life, we cannot accept it nor can we continue to retain it.

41.03 Choice of personnel

The Provincial Superior, or the Regional Superior in dialogue with the Provincial Superior, shall
entrust the care of parishes only to those who are well prepared for it and who are able to work
as part of a team.

41.04 Parish apostolate

1. Those who are engaged in parish ministry shall involve themselves in the evangelization of
their area, in catechesis and the celebration of the sacraments.
2. Our parishes shall be centres:
66 General Statutes

a. of prayer and the deepening in knowledge of the Word of God;

b. of hospitality towards parishioners;
c. of special attention to the poor, the “marginalised” and those who have strayed from the
Church;
d. of participation of the laity in the different forms of ministry;
e. of ministries that will attract youth.

3. Since our parishes are an integral part of the local Church, our religious engaged in parishes
shall participate in the pastoral plan of the diocese and shall actively contribute to the work of
parish renewal.

41.05 Other forms of commitment

With the approval of the Provincial Superior, or of the Regional Superior in dialogue with the
Provincial Superior, and the deliberative vote of their Council, brothers, or even priests with the
consent of the bishop, may offer a contribution to apostolic services through the witness of their
presence, by exercising a profession or trade outside the community, but one that conforms to
the spirit of the Institute and in accordance with the demands of prayer and belonging to a
community.

44.01 At the service of priests

Our apostolate should have value for all priests engaged in ministry by reason of our availability
and the hospitality of our community, our sense of community, the witness of our consecrated
life and our life of prayer and apostolate.

45.01 Publications

1. Theological and spiritual publications, especially in the field of Eucharist, shall be encouraged.

2. Besides the written media, attention should be paid to the use of electronic media (radio, TV,
cinema, Internet) as well as other forms of communication technology.

3. Care shall be taken to prepare our religious, right from the time of initial formation, towards
being able to make competent use of these means of social communication.
 General Statutes 67

V. A LIFE-LONG NEED: FORMATION

47.01 Vocation apostolate

1. The most compelling invitation to the religious life is the living example of our communities;
nevertheless, a vocation apostolate is no less necessary.
2. Each Province or Region shall work out its own vocation plan in accordance with the norms
of the Holy See and in cooperation with the diocesan plan. The Provincial/Regional Superior
shall send a copy of this plan to the Superior General so that other Provinces/Regions may be
able to benefit from it.
3. The Provincial or Regional plan shall particularly determine the role of the persons engaged
in this apostolate and the means to be employed, such as the Word of God, contacts, hospitality,
discernment and stages.

1. INITIAL FORMATION
50.01 Formation directors

1. Formation directors shall be prepared for their task by a spiritual, and pedagogical training.
They shall participate in special sessions organized for them by the General Team on the Rule
of Life, the Eucharist, the Founder and the history and spirituality of the Congregation. They
shall keep themselves up to date on developments in the field of formation by following courses
or taking part in seminars to help them face the new problems in this field.
2. They shall have the courage and the charity to ensure that the candidates engage in some
timely reflection on our way of life; they shall assist them in acquiring genuine self-knowledge
and self-acceptance and in finding their personal vocation. If that vocation is not that of the
Congregation, they shall help them to discover their right place within a state of life best suited
to their talents.
3. They shall teach them to distinguish clearly between the religious life and the secular state;
they shall help them to discover in what consists the call to the ministry of priest or deacon, the
difference between the exercise of these ministries in the religious life and the secular state; as
well as in the meaning of the vocation of a religious brother.

The pre-novitiate
52.01 The postulancy

At all stages of first formation, one will take into account the directives that the Congregation will
indicate according to circumstances.
1. If someone manifests a serious desire to share our way of life, the Provincial/Regional
Superior, either personally or through a religious designated by him, shall examine the case. If
the result of this examination is positive, the Provincial/Regional Superior shall admit the
candidate to the postulancy by a written document.
2. During the postulancy, it shall be verified as to whether the candidate possesses sufficient
human and affective maturity to be able to begin the novitiate profitably. Moreover, the candidate
shall acquire a direct knowledge of our way of life under the guidance of a religious designated
for this purpose by the Provincial/Regional Superior.
3. The Provincial Superior or the Regional Superior in dialogue with the Provincial Superior shall
determine the duration and the specific form of the postulancy.
4. Once the candidate has been accepted as a postulant, a contract covering remunerations,
pensions etc. shall be signed by him and the Provincial/Regional Superior. Where necessary,
the Province/Region should draw up this contract in a formulation that conforms with civil law.
The contract must be valid both for the novitiate and for the religious life after profession.
68 General Statutes

The novitiate
53.01 Admission

1. If the pre-novitiate experience proves positive, the Provincial Superior with the deliberative
vote of his Council and the Regional Superior after confirmation by the Provincial Superior with
the deliberative vote of his Council, shall allow the candidate, upon his written request, to begin
religious life by admitting him to the novitiate.

2. A report of this admission shall be sent to the Superior General (Report Form IV) along with
the information contained in nos. 1-11 of the Personnel Form (Form 1).

3. The beginning of the novitiate is preceded by a retreat of at least five days and is marked by
a simple community ceremony.

54.01 Location

1. The establishment of the novitiate house falls within the powers of the Superior General.
2. Where circumstances suggest it, the Superior General with the deliberative vote of his
Council, may organize an interprovincial novitiate to provide a broader formation.
3. In some particular and exceptional cases, the Superior General, with the consent of his
Council, may authorize a candidate to make his novitiate validly in a house of the Institute other
than the novitiate, but under the responsibility of a competent religious acting as novice master
(cf. can. 647, § 2).

55.01 The master of novices

1. The master of novices must be at least thirty years of age, perpetually professed, endowed
with discernment, charity, solid piety and religious fidelity. He is appointed by the Superior
General with the consent of his Council (cf. can. 651; GS 72.01/6).
2. Normally he shall work in collaboration with a formation team appointed by the
Provincial/Regional Superior after consultation with the novice master and his council.
3. "The governance of the novices is reserved to the director of novices alone, under the
authority of the major Superiors" (can. 650, § 2). “He may be given assistants, who are subject
to him in regard to the governance of the novitiate and the formation programme” (cf. can. 651,
§ 2).
4. Concerning the reports by the novice master on the candidates, see below GS 66.03/2.
5. Concerning the presence of the novice master at the Provincial/Regional Council meetings
that deal with admission to profession, see below GS 56.01/6.7.

55.02 Novitiate studies

1. During the novitiate period, studies are directed towards the spiritual and religious formation
of the novices. In particular, and in conformity with the directives of universal law (cf. can. 652,
§ 2), they should deal with the religious life, the Church, the Eucharist, the Founder and the
Congregation.
2. To be excluded are studies, even theological or philosophical, carried out in view of a
professional formation. The programme of studies must also be approved by the Provincial
Superior, or the Regional Superior in dialogue with the Provincial Superior, and submitted to the
Superior General and his Council.

55.03 Contact with the novices

It is up to the novice master, in agreement with the local Superior (or, if need be with the
Provincial/Regional Consultor responsible for formation) to determine the kind of contact the
novices may have with the other members of the Institute.
 General Statutes 69

55.04 A single novitiate

1. The novitiate is the same for all candidates, clerics or brothers. If a professed religious
changes his orientation, however, the competent authority is the Provincial/Regional Superior,
with the consent of his Council.

2. In the case of a common interprovincial/interregional novitiate it is important that each

Province/Region involved in an interprovincial/interregional novitiate assure regular visits to its
candidates. The Provincial/Regional Superior will designate for these visits a religious of his
Province/Region or a religious of the Province/Region where the interprovincial/interregional
novitiate is found.

56.01 Admission to first profession

1. Three months before profession, the novice master shall make an assessment, together with
the novice, in the light of the novitiate project.

2. Three months prior to profession an inquiry shall be conducted within the community by the
Provincial/Regional Superior or his delegate. A report of this inquiry shall be sent to the novice
master by the Provincial/Regional Superior.

3. Following the process of discernment, the novice, two months before profession, shall send
a letter to the Provincial/Regional in which he makes his request for admission to temporary
Vows.

4. The novice master shall send his written assessment of the novice (Report Form V) to the
Provincial/Regional.

5. It pertains to the Provincial Superior of the candidate, with the deliberative vote of his Council,
to grant admission to temporary profession.

6. The novice master takes part in this decision with the right of deliberative vote as regards the
making of first profession. The Provinces/Regions which have candidates in the novitiate of
another Province/Region or at an interprovincial or interregional novitiate will determine the
manner in which the novice master takes part in this decision.

Religious profession
57.01 Making of profession

1. The formula of profession must be that contained in the Rule of Life 102. The candidate may,
at the beginning or the end, make some brief personal additions.

2. The act of profession shall be transcribed into the book of professions and signed by the
candidate, by the one who has legally received the profession and by two witnesses, who are if
possible perpetually professed SSS.

57.02 Dispensation from temporary profession

The Superior General, with the consent of his Council, can dispense a religious from his
temporary vows. He can also expel him (cf. cann. 688, § 2 ; 692).

The scholasticate
58.01 The director of scholastics

1. The director of scholastics must be at least 30 years of age and a perpetually professed priest.
He must be able to cooperate fraternally with the superiors and the professors of the scholastics,
have an understanding of youth, be well informed on the pastoral needs of the Church and the
modern world and, as far as possible, have had personal experience of pastoral ministry.
70 General Statutes

2. All that is said about the novice master in no. 55.01 applies also to the director of scholastics.

3. He organizes, in collaboration with his team, the different stages of the scholasticate and he
is the animator of the team. At the start of each year, together with his team and the scholastics
he draws up the year's programme, setting out its objectives and means.

4. It is important that each Province/Region involved in an interprovincial/interregional

scholasticate assure regular visits to its candidates. The Provincial/Regional Superior will
designate for these visits a religious of his Province/Region or a religious of the Province/Region
where the interprovincial/interregional scholasticate is found.

59.01 Programme of studies

Whether the scholasticate pertains to one Province/Region or to several, the programme of

studies and the professors shall be approved by the Superior General with the consent of his
Council; if the scholastics are sent elsewhere, the choice of seminary or university shall be
subject to the approval of the General Council.

59.02 Spiritual direction

1. Each scholastic shall have a spiritual director to whom he will be able to regularly open his
conscience with simplicity and confidence so as to be guided more surely in the ways of the
Lord.

2. The spiritual directors, freely chosen by each scholastic, may be members of the formation
team or any other qualified person.

60.01 Admission to renewal of profession, perpetual profession and orders

1. For admission to renewal of religious profession, perpetual profession and orders (diaconate
or priesthood), the same formalities are required for each one: the request of the candidate as
well as the opinion of the director, the local council and the community.

2. It pertains to the Provincial Superior of the candidate with the deliberative vote of his Council
to grant admission to professions and orders; the director shall take part in this decision with the
right of deliberative vote.

60.02 Preparation for professions and orders

1. Each Province and each Region in dialogue with its Province shall determine the duration of
the period of preparation immediately preceding the various professions and ordinations.

2. Prior to perpetual profession, the Provinces/Regions will organize a preparation of three

months under the direction of a competent guide designated by the Provincial/Regional
Superior, drawing inspiration from the proposals of the International Formation Commission as
regards the contents of this period of preparation.

2. ONGOING FORMATION
61.01 Perspectives

1. Each religious shall make it his duty to continue to deepen his religious, spiritual and
intellectual life constantly and to update his apostolate. Superiors, on their part, shall encourage
the religious to persevere in their efforts towards this end.

2. The Provincial/Regional Statutes shall provide the necessary guidelines in this matter and it
shall be the duty of the Provincial/Regional Council to promote whatever practical initiatives are
opportune or possible. The Provincial/Regional Superior shall untiringly urge the religious to
take part in refresher courses, especially by pointing out to them the advantages they can derive
from them.
 General Statutes 71

3. Superiors shall take care to allow each religious to interrupt his apostolic activities for a few
months, at least once every ten years, in order to take part in sessions or courses organized for
purposes of theological and pastoral updating.

61.02 Studies within the various fields of our mission

In order to promote the participation of the religious in the various fields of our mission and to
prepare them to resolve the problems and tensions raised by Eucharistic theology and practice,
Superiors shall see to it that:

1. those who are capable are given the opportunity to specialize in some field so that they can
collaborate, at the level of the Institute or the Church, in teams engaged in research, animation
and publishing;

2. periodically in our communities there be conferences to keep our religious up to date on

developments in the sacred and human sciences in order that they may become sensitive to the
signs of the times;

3. every possible means be used to promote particularly the study of Sacred Scripture, patristics,
theology, liturgy and other sciences that are useful to the religious and priestly life "in order that
piety be enlightened by true learning and learning be sanctified by true piety" (cf. Constitutions
226).
72 General Statutes

VI. AT THE SERVICE OF OUR BROTHERS

1. PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT
62.01 Principles of government

Superiors shall take care to promote co-responsibility within their council and to create a unity
based on common criteria for carrying out one and the same service; they shall expressly ask
for their consultative or deliberative advice, as prescribed for each case.
Superiors are to understand that they are acting strictly collegially with their council whenever it
is expressly indicated by the word "collegial"; in this case, the superior exercises both his roles
of president and of council member, and he must act according to the absolute majority of the
votes.
The action of a council, whether General, Provincial, Regional or local, is collegial when it is a
question of:
1. elections;
2. extraordinary administration of the goods of the Institute.

63.01 Role of authority

The role of religious authority is to serve the community, above all, in carrying out the duties of:
1. Unity: to accomplish what God himself does for his Church, that is to bring together, to unite
and to establish fellowship through dialogue. This is the main duty of authority.
2. Decision making: to guide the community so that its activity be that of a community advancing
towards its ideal. The power to make decisions shall be exercised for the good of others and
shall always be at the service of unity and the mission of the Institute.
3. Fraternal correction: as a defence against egoism and a stimulus to conversion, it is to be
carried out with respect for human dignity and freedom. It becomes necessary because of our
sinfulness.

64.01 Notification of decisions

Every representative body must render an account of its decisions to those whom it represents:
1. The local council shall give a report of its deliberations to all the members of the community.
2. The Provincial/Regional Council shall regularly send a report of its deliberations and decisions
to all the members of the Province/Region.
3. The Acts of the Provincial/Regional Chapter, with the results of the voting, shall be sent to all
the members of the Province/Region.
4. The General Council shall give an account of its administration to every Amplified General
Council and to the General Chapter.
5. The Acts of the General Chapter shall be published in their entirety and sent to the whole
Congregation.

65.01 Conditions of eligibility and appointment to various offices in the Congregation

A Conditions of eligibility:

1. Superior General: priest, at least 35 years of age, 10 years perpetually professed (cf. RL
73/1).

2. Vicar General: priest (cf. RL 76), at least 30 years of age, 5 years perpetually professed (cf.
RL 75).
 General Statutes 73

3. The other General Consultors and the Treasurer General: at least 30 years of age, 5 years
perpetually professed (cf. RL 75).

4. Provincial/Regional Superior: priest, at least 30 years of age, 8 years perpetually professed

(cf. RL 84).

5. Provincial/Regional Vicar: priest (cf. RL 86), at least 30 years of age (cf. GS 83.01), 8 years
perpetually professed (cf. RL 86).

6. The other Provincial/Regional Consultors and the Provincial/Regional Treasurer: at least 30

years of age (cf. GS 83.01), perpetually professed (cf. RL 65).

7. Delegates to the General or Provincial/Regional Chapter: perpetually professed (cf. RL 65).

B Conditions of appointment:

1. Procurator General: at least 30 years of age, 5 years perpetually professed.

2. Local Superior: priest, 3 years perpetually professed (cf. RL 95).

3. Local Consultors and local Treasurer: perpetually professed (cf. RL 65).
4. Master of novices: at least 30 years of age, perpetually professed, appointed by the Superior
General with the consent of his Council (cf. GS 55.01/1).
5. Director of scholastics: priest, at least 30 years of age, perpetually professed, appointed by
the Superior General with the consent of his Council (cf. GS 58.01/2).
Perpetually professed brothers may, at all levels, occupy those offices that do not require
priesthood, that is to say General Consultor (not vicar), Treasurer General; Procurator,
Provincial/Regional Consultor (not Vicar), Provincial/Regional Treasurer, local Consultor or
Treasurer, delegate to General or Provincial/Regional Chapters, master of novices.

Elections
65.02 Calculation of an absolute majority for elections

The majority of votes required, unless otherwise indicated, is an absolute majority, namely more
than half of the votes of the electors present (cf. can. 119, 1°).

65.03 Procedure for elections

1. Before proceeding to elections in Chapters an open discussion on the subject may be held.
Nevertheless the election should not take place on the same day as the discussion held in
general assembly.
2. In the first and second ballots, votes may be cast for any of those who are eligible. He shall
be considered elected who has received an absolute majority of votes in accordance with
number 65.02 (or, in the case of postulation, he who has received two thirds of the votes).
3. After two inconclusive ballots, in the third ballot the votes shall be cast for the two candidates
who received the most votes in the preceding ballot or - if there were more than two - for the two
most senior in profession (commitment). If more than two received an equal number of votes and
are of equal seniority in profession, then the votes shall be cast for the two most senior in age.
4. After this third ballot, he shall be considered elected who has received the most votes; if the
candidates have received an equal number of votes, the senior in profession (commitment) shall
be considered elected; if they had made first profession (commitment) on the same day, he shall
be declared elected who is the senior in age.
5. By accepting his election, provided it does not require confirmation, the person acquires the
office by full right; otherwise he acquires only a right to the office (cf. can. 178) and shall enter into
the exercise of his office only after having received confirmation from the competent superior.
74 General Statutes

65.04 Procedure for other collegial acts

Concerning collegial acts, if it is a question of matters other than elections, that has force of law
which shall prove acceptable to an absolute majority of those present, the majority of those who
ought to have been convoked being in fact present. If, after two ballots, the votes are equal, the
president may use his casting vote to decide the matter (cf. can. 119, 2°).

Communications
66.01 Purpose of reports

Reports between the different levels of the Institute have as their purpose to respond to the need
for statistics and to furnish information on the life and activities of its members. Above all they
help to develop better communication within the Congregation in order to obtain a more objective
understanding of its situation and to be able to furnish an animation that reaches individuals,
communities, Regions and Provinces in their real life situations (cf. Recueil des Formulaires,
Présentation, p.5).

66.02 Reports by communities

Each community shall send regularly to the Provincial/Regional Council a report of the more
important events of the community's life, as also of any important decisions it has taken (cf. GS
11.01, 66.04, 97.01).

66.03 Reports on candidates

1. The director of postulants shall send Reports I & IV on the postulants to the
Provincial/Regional Superior.
2. The master of novices shall send a copy of Report V to the Provincial/Regional Superior twice
during the novitiate, halfway through and at the end.
3. The director of scholastics shall send a copy of Report V to the Provincial/Regional Superior,
each year at the end of the scholastic year.
4. The Regional Superior shall send a copy of all these reports to the Provincial Superior. The
Provincial Superior shall send a copy to the Superior General.

66.04 Reports by local Superiors

1. At least once every four years, six months before the Provincial/Regional Chapter, or more
frequently if the Provincial/Regional Statutes require it, the local superiors shall send a report
on their community to the Provincial/Regional Superior who shall forward a copy to the Superior
General (cf. Form VII).
2. At least once every six years, at the end of the year preceding the General Chapter, or more
frequently if the Provincial Statutes require it, the local superiors shall send a report on each
religious to the Provincial/Regional Superior who shall forward a copy to the Superior General
(cf. Report Form VI).

66.05 Reports by Regions and Provinces

1. The Regional Superior shall send a report on the state of his Region (cf. Form VIII), approved
by the Regional Council, to the Provincial Superior, every four years, before the Provincial
Chapter.
2. The Provincial Superior shall forward this report unchanged to the Superior General at the
same time as he sends his own Form VIII.
3. The Provincial/Regional Superior, with his Council, shall send a general report on the state
of the Province/Region to the Superior General, six months before the General Chapter or the
Amplified General Councils (cf. Form VIII).
 General Statutes 75

66.06 Reports by the local Treasurer

The local treasurer shall send the report indicated in GS 99.03/1 to the Provincial/Regional
Treasurer, at least every three months.
Each year, before March, he shall send Report IX on finances to the same Provincial/Regional
Treasurer (cf. Recueil des Formulaires).

66.07 Reports by the Regional/Provincial Treasurer

1. The Regional Treasurer shall send Report IX on finances (communities, Regionalate, Region)
to the Provincial Treasurer, each year, before March.

2. The Provincial Treasurer shall send to the General Council, each year, the report indicated in
GS 99.03/2 and, every six years, an evaluation of the fixed and moveable assets (cf. GS 98.04).

66.08 Other communications

1. Other reports to be made, as well as their frequency and particular form, are indicated in the
‘Recueil des Formulaires’.

2. Notifications of the following shall be made to the General Council:

a. appointments, professions, ordinations and departures, to be made as soon as possible;
b. notifications of deaths, by telephone or fax and e-mail (cf. Recueil des Formulaires).

66.09 Archives (cf. cann. 486-488)

1. Since archives constitute a patrimony of inestimable value, they warrant being conserved with
the greatest care. They witness to the life and work of the Congregation.

2. In each house there shall normally be a place reserved for the archives of the community.

3. Every document of the General or Provincial/Regional archives shall be carefully kept under
lock and key.

4. An archivist shall be appointed by the Superior General for the General archives. Along the
same line, an archivist should be appointed at the Provincial, Regional and local level.

5. As a matter of principle, every document should be conserved. Where there is doubt, it

pertains to the General Council, the Provincial Council for the Province or the Regional Council
for the Region to decide, whether certain documents should be conserved or not in the archives.

6. After a religious dies, either the Provincial/Regional Superior himself or a religious appointed
by him shall make an inventory of documents, writings etc. which ought to be kept in the
Provincial/Regional archives.

7. When a house is closed, the archives are transferred to the Provincial/Regional archives.

66.10 Secret Archives (cf. cann. 489-491)

Canons 489-491 of the Code of Canon Law determine the norms relating to secret archives.
These should be applied at the General, Provincial and Regional level.

2. THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT

The General Chapter
69.01 Convocation

The Superior General, with the consent of the Amplified General Council, shall, at an opportune
time, inform the entire Institute of the place and the time of the General Chapter.
76 General Statutes

With the consent of the ordinary General Council, he shall decide on the manner and time for
the convocation of the capitulars.

69.02 Preparation

1. In order that the General Chapter be effective in its work, it must be prepared in such a way
as to encourage the participation of all the religious of the Congregation, whether in the
preparation of the basic documents, in the decisions to be taken, or in the elections. Therefore
the norms indicated for the Provincial/Regional Chapter shall apply proportionally in regard to
the General Chapter (cf. GS 81.04).
2. The Amplified General Council shall determine the main objectives of the Chapter and shall
give broad guidelines for its preparation; the ordinary General Council shall decide on the specific
means of preparation and shall invite specialists to prepare the material it considers useful.
3. In order to be able to make a critical examination of the state of the Congregation in what
regards its life and mission, the General Council shall submit reports for examination by the
capitulars based on objective information from the Provinces/Regions.

70.01 Composition

1. When a Provincial/Regional Superior, a member by right at the General Chapter, is prevented,

he will be replaced by his Vicar as for the AGC (cf. RL 78).
2. The delegates from Provinces/Regions and their substitutes will be elected by the
Provincial/Regional Chapter.
3. The General Council, if deemed fit, could appoint up to 7 supplementary delegates, paying
particular attention to the religious brothers being represented. Their expenses (travel and stay)
for the Chapter will be borne by the General Administration.

71.01 Authority

1. The General Chapter shall approve a set of procedural rules, setting out in detail the
procedure to be followed in Chapter sessions.
2. In addition to what is said in the Rule of Life, the General Chapter should normally:
a. examine the questions that relate to the vocation ministry, the formation of its members,
the administration of temporal goods, co-ordination between Provinces/Regions and
relations with Church authorities;
b. confirm or revoke the decisions taken by the preceding General Chapter, as well as the
major decisions taken by the General Council since the last Chapter;
c. determine the financial contributions the Provinces/Regions are to make, in proportion to
their resources, to the General Curia or to other projects common to the Institute.

71.02 Publication of the acts

The acts of the Chapter shall be published as soon as possible after the Chapter and sent to
the Provinces/Regions.

The General Council

72.01 Powers - with deliberative voice

The Superior General, with the deliberative vote of his Council, in addition to what is determined
by universal law, can:
1. Accept the resignation from office of a General Consultor, the Procurator General or the
Treasurer General, as well as that of a Provincial/Regional Superior, Consultor or Treasurer.
"If a Consultor is unable to complete his term, the ordinary General Council shall elect his
successor, after consultation with the members of the Amplified General Council" (RL 75).
2. Give the nihil obstat to the Acts of the Provincial/Regional Chapters, the Provincial and
 General Statutes 77

Regional Statutes and to any modifications made to them after having examined them to judge
their conformity to universal and particular law and to the nature and mission of the
Congregation, and to authorize the Provincial/Regional Superior with his ordinary or Amplified
Council to make the necessary amendments. In examining the numbers of the Statutes that
deal with financial matters, the General Council shall be particularly attentive to the manner in
which these texts safeguard the financial unity of the Province or, where the Provincial Chapter
shall have required it, that of each autonomous Region.
3. On the occasion of the establishment of a new Province, convoke the Provincial Chapter and
appoint its president until the moment when the new Provincial Superior is elected. This ruling
does not apply if the new Province had previously enjoyed the status of a Region.
4. Establish Regions.

5. Dismiss a Provincial or Regional Superior, with the consent of the ordinary or Amplified Council
of the Province/Region concerned.
6. Appoint novice masters and directors of scholastics, as well as approving the novitiate and
scholasticate programmes (cf. GS 59.01).
7. Canonically establish houses at the request of the Provinces/Regions and suppress a house
canonically established (cf. cann. 609, § 1; 616, § 1);
8. Transfer a house from one Province/Region to another, whether temporarily or permanently,
with the consent of the Provincial/Regional Councils concerned and after consultation with the
religious of the house in question.
9. Establish, after having received the advice of the Provincial/Regional Superior, one or more
novitiates in a Province, as well as transferring or suppressing them (cf. can. 647, § 1).
10. Authorize a novice to make his novitiate in a house other than the novitiate house (cf. can.
647, § 2).

11. Resolve conflicts that may arise between the Provincial/Regional Superior and his fellow
religious.

12. Expel perpetually professed religious in conformity with law, and dispense from temporary
vows (cf. can. 688, § 2).

13. Interpret the Rule of Life and the General Statutes between General Chapters.

14. Take decisions that would normally pertain to the General Chapter but which, for reasons of
necessity or urgency, must be taken provisionally, before the General Chapter.

15. Authorize important initiatives not envisaged by the Rule of Life or the General Statutes.

16. Prepare an agenda for the Amplified General Council.

72.02 Powers - with consultative and collegial voice

1. The General Council has a consultative or strictly collegial voice in those cases determined
by common law and the particular law of our Institute.

2. It shall act collegially, according to our particular law:

a. when electing a General Consultor or the Treasurer General whenever the office of one of
these becomes vacant, following a consultation of the members of the Amplified General
Council;
b. when it authorizes the disposal of property belonging to the Institute and other acts of
extraordinary, administration in conformity with the norms indicated in the Chapter on the
administration of temporal goods.

3. Other cases where the General Council has strictly collegial voice shall be determined by the
General Chapter and - if envisaged as being permanent - shall be included in the General
Statutes.
78 General Statutes

72.03 Replacement of absent General Consultors

The secretary of the General Council and the Treasurer General may not replace an absent
General Consultor and participate in the meetings of the General Council with the same right of
vote as the other General Consultors except in an urgent case where it is necessary to have the
"quorum" required by law.

74.01 The Superior General - powers

The Superior General will direct the Congregation according to the powers given him by
universal law, the Rule of Life, the General Statutes and the decisions of General Chapters, in
fidelity to the charism.
The Superior General has clear ordinary jurisdiction over all the Provinces/Regions, houses,
persons and goods of the Congregation (cf. Can. 622, RL 62, 74) to ensure the SSS life and
mission in response to the demands of the Church and society.
His specific powers, among others, are:

1. He shall ensure cooperation with the Holy See, religious institutes and international
associations of the laity.

2. He can allow, depending on circumstances and needs, either one or other General Consultor
to keep an engagement and/or reside in his Province/Region without detriment to the General
Administration.

3. He guarantees, in dialogue with the Provinces/Regions, the personnel and means for the
realization and continuity of the projects of the Congregation outside their jurisdiction.

4. He confirms the candidates for the election of a Provincial or Regional Superior.

5. He approves, with his Council, the agenda of Provincial/Regional Chapters and may add any
points that he considers opportune.

6. He makes the visitation of the Provinces/Regions at an opportune time.

7. He examines, either personally or through an intermediary, the case of a religious who wants
to leave the Institute.

8. He may choose personal assistants: secretary, archivist, etc.

9. He convokes the General Chapter.

10. He gives permission to perpetually professed religious to forego their patrimony in favour of
others (cf. can. 668, § 4).

11. He assigns, with the consent of his Council, to the stable patrimony of the Congregation the
fixed and movable assets that he deems opportune and/or necessary.
The Superior General, with the consent of his Council, is competent to adapt (Can. 677 § 1),
transform and alienate assets assigned to the stable patrimony of the Congregation.

75.01 The General Consultors

The General Consultors exercise, under the direction of the Superior General, a role of co-
ordination and animation, whether at the level of geographical areas in liaison with
interprovincial conferences, or with regard to the different areas of activity of the members of
the Institute in liaison with Provincial/Regional commissions or secretariats wherever these
exist.

76.01 The Vicar General

If the office of the Superior General becomes vacant more than two years before the date
envisaged for the Chapter, the Vicar General shall convoke the Amplified General Council to
 General Statutes 79

elect a successor, whose mandate shall terminate with the next ordinary General Chapter. If
there remains less than two years, the vicar shall take the place of the Superior General until
the next General Chapter.

77.01 The Treasurer General

In the administration of the goods entrusted to him:

1. He should keep himself well informed on the financial situation of all the Provinces/Regions.
His visits to the Provinces and Regions will be carried out within the framework and in the spirit
of the General Team’s overall programme of animation.

2. He should see to it that the Provinces/Regions observe the prescriptions of nos. 98.04, 99.02,
99.03, and 99.08 of the General Statutes.

3. If he is not a Consultor, he shall be present at the meetings of the General Council and shall
have a deliberative voice each time it deals with matters relating to finance.

4. He shall present a report of his administration at each Amplified General Council and General
Chapter and shall send a copy to the Provinces/Regions.

5. Every three months, or more often if the General Council so decides, he shall present a report
of the financial administration of the General Curia.

6. Each year he shall see to it that use is made of the services of a financial auditor for what
regards his administration.

77.02 The Secretary of the General Council

1. The Secretary General is appointed by the General Council. He may be chosen from among
the elected Consultors.
2. He shall prepare the agenda for the meetings of the General Council in accordance with the
directives of the Superior General. He draws up the minutes of the meetings of the Council.

77.03 The community of the General House

1. The community of the General House comprises the General Administration and other
religious who, as a rule, are at the service of the Generalate.
2. The General Administration comprises the Superior General, his Consultors, and the
Treasurer General. The Procurator General, the local superior and treasurer of the community
of the General House will be named by the Superior General according to the norms in force
(cf. GS 95.01).
3. The other religious of the community of the General House retain the right of active and
passive vote in their respective Provinces/Regions, but for Chapters only.
They may not be elected to any office that would take them away from Rome, unless with the
consent of the General Council.

4. After each ordinary General Chapter, the situation of these religious shall be reconsidered
with each one and his Provincial/Regional.

77.04 The communities dependent on the Generalate

1. In those communities that depend directly on the Generalate, the Superior General and his
Council exercise the functions that normally belong to the Provincial/Regional Superior and his
Council. According to circumstances, the General Council shall determine the manner in which
they participate in elections and Chapters.

2. Admission to religious profession and orders is in the competence of the Superior General.
80 General Statutes

The Amplified General Council

78.01 Convocation

The Amplified General Council shall meet normally once every six years. After having consulted
all the members, at least one year in advance, regarding the place, the date and the agenda,
the Superior General shall convoke it at least six months prior to its meeting.

78.02 Authority

The Amplified General Council has the following powers:

1. It determines the time and the place of the General Chapter (cf. GS 69.01) and it ensures its
preparation (cf. GS 69.02).

2. It elects a successor to the Superior General if his office should become vacant more than
two years before the next General Chapter (cf. GS 76.01).

3. The members are consulted for the election of a member of the General Team if his office
should become vacant.

4. It studies the financial administration of the Congregation (cf. GS 77.01/4) and, according as
the need arises, revises the list of contributions of the Provinces/Regions to the General
Administration.

5. It studies the matters submitted to it by the General Council. The members have deliberative
voice when decisions are taken.

6. It assesses the state of the Congregation from the reports received from the
Provinces/Regions (Form VIII).

78.03 International Commissions

1. The General Council may establish temporary or permanent international commissions. It will
determine their competence, composition, frequency of meetings and length of mandate.

2. Among these commissions, there will be the commission of formation and that of finances,
which will be obligatory. The expenses (travel and stay) for International Commissions will be
borne by the General Administration.

3. THE PROVINCE

79.01 Constitution and suppression

1. The Province is constituted by the union of at least three canonically established houses. It
pertains to the General Chapter to establish a Province.

2. Should the situation arise that a Province is reduced to an insufficient number of religious, the
General Council, in dialogue with the Provincial Council concerned, shall study the situation. The
General Chapter may make it a Region annexed to another Province or integrate its houses into
other Provinces.

The Provincial Chapter

80.01 Convocation

1. The ordinary Provincial Chapter shall be held every four years. It may take place in two
sessions. In that case, the second session shall normally be held within six months and the
participants shall be the same as those of the first session. No Chapter may be permanent.
 General Statutes 81

2. The Provincial Superior, after consulting his Council, shall convoke the Chapter at least three
months in advance and shall inform the Superior General of its convocation. The
Provincial/Regional Chapters which immediately precede an ordinary General Chapter will take
place at the earliest eight months and at the latest three months prior to the General Chapter.

3. Before publishing the agenda of the Chapter, the Provincial Superior shall consult the
Superior General who, after consulting his Council, may add the study of certain matters.

81.01 Composition

1. The Provinces may determine, in the Provincial Statutes, a greater participation of capitulars
by right (than that indicated in RL 81a).
Those elected as delegates to the General Chapter participate by right at a second session of
the Provincial Chapter following the General Chapter.

2. The delegates to the Provincial Chapter shall be elected according to criteria determined in
the Provincial Statutes. These elections may be organized in a way that assures representation
of communities, areas or certain categories, or simply on the basis of a single list for the whole
Province.

3. The determination of the number of participants and the manner of their election is left up to
the Provincial Statutes. However, an equitable representation of the members and communities
must be assured.
The Statutes may determine that all the perpetually professed religious be members of the
Chapter. In that case, they are all bound to attend it. They may also determine that the temporary
professed participate, but without right of vote.

4. The Provincial Statutes shall provide for the possibility of calling upon the services of religious
or other persons with a special competence, but without right of vote.

81.02 Selective ballot

1. For the election by correspondence of delegates to the Provincial Chapter and for the
designation of candidates for the elections that are to be held during the Chapter (e.g. the
designation of candidates for the election of the Provincial Superior), a selective ballot may be
used. The particular determinations shall be given in the Provincial Statutes.

2. According to this system, for the first ballot there is drawn up a list of all those who are eligible
and each elector chooses from among them a number of names, to be determined, in each
case, by the Provincial Statutes.
3. After the publication of the full results of the first round, those who have received the most
votes and have accepted candidature shall be eligible for the next round. Their number shall be
determined, in each case, by the Provincial Statutes.

4. All the ballots shall be counted by the Provincial Council or by a committee appointed by the
Council; those who shall have obtained the most votes in the second ballot shall be declared
elected as delegates or designated candidates, as the case may be.

81.03 Vote by proxy or by correspondence

The Provincial Superior may, in a particular case and with the consent of his Council, allow a
religious to vote by proxy or by correspondence during an election carried out at the community
meeting to vote for Chapter delegates. Voting by proxy or by correspondence is not allowed for
the Regional, Provincial or General Chapter.

81.04 Preparation of the chapter

1. The responsibility for the preparation of the Chapter rests with the ordinary or Amplified
Provincial Council as determined by the Provincial Statutes.

2. Accordingly, it shall set up preparatory commissions for the drafting of documents that are to
82 General Statutes

serve as the basis for discussion during the Chapter.

3. These documents shall be prepared with the collaboration of all the religious of the Province.
Every participant in the Chapter must be given the time to study these documents with his
community.

4. Every religious has the right to send a personal document to the Chapter. The preparatory
commission shall see to it that minority opinions are adequately presented.

82.01 Authority of the chapter

The Provincial Chapter, as the organ of government and animation of the Province, ought to,
amongst other things:

1. Reflect on the religious and spiritual life of the communities in accordance with the identity of
the Congregation.

2. Evaluate seriously the Provincial and community projects.

3. Formulate a concrete project. The norms for this project shall be the Rule of Life, the tradition
of the Congregation and the project of the General Chapter, while taking into account the
situation of the local Church and society.

82.02 Procedure for the designation of candidates to the office of Provincial/Regional Superior

1. For the designation of candidates to the election of the Provincial/Regional Superior, the
selective ballot indicated in GS 81.02 is obligatory.

2. This designation is made in the following manner:

a. A list of all those who are eligible for the office of Provincial Superior shall be sent to each
perpetually professed religious of the Province;
b. Each Province determines in its Statutes whether the selective ballot should be made once
or twice;
c. At the first ballot - or when there is only one ballot - each perpetually professed religious of
the province will indicate by secret ballot two names chosen from the list;
d. For Provinces that choose to hold two ballots:
- The results of the ballot will be published by indicating the number of voters, the
number of ballot papers returned, the spoilt ballots. When a ballot indicates only one
name, instead of two, it will be considered valid.
- After the results of the first ballot are published, a second ballot will be held. In this a
second and last list will be sent to each religious with the names of religious who have
obtained the most votes and who have accepted their candidature; from this list each
voter will again indicate two candidates, exactly as in the first ballot. The Provincial
Statutes will fix the number of candidates to be presented for the second ballot.
e. The second ballot papers - or those of a single ballot - are counted by a committee
appointed by the Provincial Superior and held to secrecy. The results are sent to the
Superior General.
f. The Superior General shall confirm the candidature of the first three, unless grave reasons
oblige him to pass to the next candidate designated in the ballot. He shall communicate
these names to the Chapter in view of the election to be held.

82.03 Election of the Provincial/Regional Superior

1. The election of the Provincial/Regional Superior, as regards the required majority and the
number of ballots, shall be conducted in accordance with what is indicated in numbers 65.02
and 65.03 concerning the procedure for elections.

2. Immediately after his election, the name of the Provincial/Regional Superior shall be
communicated to the Superior General. At this point the former Provincial Superior terminates
his mandate and the new one begins his office. A Eucharistic celebration will be held to mark
this event.
 General Statutes 83

3. The new Provincial/Regional Superior and his predecessor set a suitable time for the handing
over of affairs.

82.04 Procedure for other elections

1. The Provincial/Regional Statutes will determine whether the elections of the members of the
Provincial/Regional Council and the Provincial/Regional Treasurer, as well as that of the
delegates to the General Chapter and their substitutes shall be preceded by a consultation of
the religious of the Province/Region.
2. The procedure for the elections shall conform to what is indicated in GS 65.02 and 65.03.

82.05 After the chapter

1. Immediately after the closure of each session of the Chapter, the Provincial Superior shall
forward the Superior General a document containing the following information:
a. the precise dates of the sessions and the elections;
b. a list of the capitulars;
c. an official report of all the elections and ballots, the text of the decisions taken and the
changes made to the Provincial (and Regional) Statutes.
This document shall be signed by the Provincial and the secretary of the Chapter.
2. In the event of conflict between the Province and the General Council, the General Team and
the Provincial Team shall try to reach agreement, with the Superior General having the right of
decision as a last resort.

82.06 The Provincial Statutes

1. The Provincial Statutes should cover all the specific points of law within the jurisdiction of the
Province, as well as the principles for the animation and administration of the Province.
2. As much as possible, the order of the Provincial Statutes shall follow that of the General
Statutes and the Rule of Life.
3. The Provincial Statutes shall have force of law after their approbation by the Superior General
with the consent of his Council and at a time determined by the Chapter or, if no time is provided
for, immediately after their promulgation. They remain in force until revoked by a subsequent
Provincial Chapter.

82.07 Publication of the acts

All the acts of the Chapter shall be published as soon as possible, after having received the nihil
obstat of the Superior General and his Council.

The Provincial Council

83.01 Composition

1. The ordinary Provincial Council comprises the Provincial Superior and at least two Consultors,
in which case at least one of the two Consultors needs the qualities required for the charge of
Vicar Provincial (RL 86). The Consultors, as well as the Provincial Treasurer, must be at least
30 years of age. Whenever matters relating to finance are dealt with, the Provincial Treasurer,
if he is not a Consultor, shall be present at the meetings and shall have deliberative voice.

2. The Provincial Statutes shall determine the number of members of the Provincial Council.

83.02 Role of animation

1. The Provincial Council shall see to it that the decisions of the Chapters and of the General
Council are implemented.
84 General Statutes

2. It sees to the execution of the Provincial project, examines the community project and
periodically evaluates their implementation.

3. It promotes the animation of the communities and helps them to carry out their mission more
effectively in the local Church in which they are inserted.

83.03 Powers - with deliberative voice

The Provincial Superior with the deliberative voice of his Council, besides the cases envisaged
in our particular law, may:

1. Grant admission to the novitiate, first profession, all the subsequent renewals, perpetual
profession and orders. The novice master and the director of scholastics shall be present at the
Council, with right of deliberative vote, for the admission of those candidates of whom they have
charge (cf. GS 56.01, 60.01).

2. Appoint the local superiors.

3. Give permission to a religious to live outside his community (cf. can. 665, § 1) in conformity
with GS 08.05 and 41.05.

4. Assign a religious of the Province to another Province and recall him each time in accord with
the Provincial Council of the other Province. A written agreement between the two Provincials
shall be submitted to the approval of the Superior General. This accord shall determine the
duration of the transfer as well as the rights that the religious may exercise in one or the other
Province. A permanent transfer may be made only by the Superior General.

5. Carry out and authorize to be carried out acts of extraordinary financial administration within
the limits determined by the General Council (cf. GS 99.06/1).

The Provincial Statutes may further determine the area of its authority.

83.04 Powers - with consultative and collegial voice

The cases where the Provincial Council has a consultative or strictly collegial voice shall be
determined by the Provincial Chapter.

83.05 Further powers

If the Province has no Amplified Provincial Council:

1. The ordinary Council has the powers attributed below to the Amplified Provincial Council (cf.
GS 88.02).

2. The Provincial Statutes, in order to be more effective and to achieve better representation,
may determine that a religious, responsible for a particular area of activity, be invited to the
Provincial Council with the right of deliberative vote.

84.01 The Provincial/Regional Superior – powers (except what is said in GS 92.01/4 and 5)

The mandate of the Provincial/Regional Superior is of four years, renewable once.

The Provincial Superior governs the Province in accordance with the authority given to him by
the universal law and our particular law, which includes the following:

1. He sees to it that the Province as a whole fulfils its mission, taking into account the particular
character of our Institute, the needs of the local Church, the circumstances of each community
and the talents of the religious.

2. He promotes unity among the communities, which he shall visit every year, or at least every
two years; he shall maintain regular contact with those who are living outside their communities.
 General Statutes 85

3. He assigns the religious their mission, after having consulted them and taking into account
their talents and the needs of the Church, and he decides to which community they belong.

4. He may give permission to his religious to publish books.

5. He admits candidates to postulancy.

6. He has the right to prolong novitiate, in conformity with Canon 653, § 2.

7. He has the authority to dismiss novices.

8. He may give permission for first profession to take place outside of the novitiate house.

9. He may give permission for first profession to be anticipated, but not by more than a fortnight
(cf. can. 649, § 2).
He may give permission for perpetual profession to be anticipated, but not by more than three
months (cf. can. 657, § 3).

10. He may grant a dispensation to a candidate lacking less than a year for the required age for
orders (cf. cann. 1031, § 4; 596; 85) and for certain irregularities (cf. can. 1047, § 4).

11. He may give dimissorial letters for orders (cf. can. 1019, § 1).

12. He may give permission for the professed religious to change their will and the administrative
acts over their patrimony (cf. can. 668, § 2).

13. He may delegate jurisdiction to any priest to hear the confessions of the members and the
staff of our communities. The local superiors may also delegate this faculty as regards their own
house (cf. can. 969, § 2).

14. He has jurisdiction in what concerns the government and the internal discipline of his
religious (cf. cann. 134, § 1; 596).

15. He has whatever powers are delegated to him by the Superior General.

16. He assigns, with the consent of his Council and after consultation with the Amplified
Provincial/Regional Council, to the stable patrimony of the Province/Region the fixed and
movable assets that he deems opportune and/or necessary. This assigning must be confirmed
by the Superior General with the consent of his Council.
The Provincial/Regional Superior, with the consent of his Council, is competent to adapt (Can.
677 § 1), transform and alienate assets assigned to the stable patrimony of the Province/Region.
These adaptations, transformations or assignments will have to be confirmed by the Superior
General with the consent of his Council.

The Provincial/Regional Statutes may further determine what lies within the authority of the
Provincial/Regional Superior.

87.01 The Provincial Treasurer

1. The Provincial Treasurer shall keep himself well informed on the financial situation of the
Province.

2. He shall render an account of his administration at least once a year and shall send his report to
the General Council, after its approbation by the Provincial Council, in conformity with GS 99.03/2.

3. He shall see to it that the houses of the Province conform to the norms of GS 99.03.
86 General Statutes

The Amplified Provincial/Regional Council - Provincial/Regional Assembly

88.01 Composition

1. The Province/Region, in its Provincial/Regional Statutes, can decide to establish an Amplified

Provincial/Regional Council (AP/RC) and determine its composition and norms by which its
members will be chosen as well as its competences.

2. Provinces/Regions that do not have an Amplified Provincial/Regional Council (AP/RC) can

have, according to their Provincial/Regional Statutes, a Provincial/Regional Assembly that has
the same statutes and competences as the AP/RC.

88.02 Authority

The Amplified Provincial/Regional Council and the Provincial/Regional Assembly has

deliberative voice in:

1. Electing a Provincial Consultor or Treasurer whenever the office of one of these becomes
vacant.

2. Present the master of novices and the director of scholastics to the Superior General for their
appointment, after having first of all consulted the members of the Geographic Conference that
has joint structures of formation.

3. Deciding on the holding of an extraordinary Provincial/Regional Chapter, with the confirmation

of the Superior General.

4. Deciding to ask the General Council to establish or suppress a house.

5. Accepting parishes.

6. Establishing certain communities, for purposes of ministry or study, that enjoy a special status.

7. Deciding the more important problems of the Province.

8. Authorizing by collegial vote, the disposal of property and extraordinary expenses and loans
within the limits fixed by the General Council in conformity with GS 99.06/1.

The Provincial/Regional Statutes may further determine what lies within its authority.

89.01 Provincial/Regional Commissions or secretariats

1. The role and composition of these commissions or secretariats will be determined by the
Provincial/Regional Statutes.
2. The secretary responsible of each will take part in the Provincial/Regional Council when
issues pertaining to his competence will be treated and he will have a right to exercise a
deliberative vote.

3. Each Province/Region will set up at least the Commission for Formation and that for Finances
(cf. GS 99.09/2).

Foundation and suppression of a house

90.01 Criteria

The following criteria shall be taken into account when making a new foundation:

1. The universal mission of the Congregation, especially when it is a question of a mission

territory.

2. The possibility of assigning at least four religious to this new foundation.

3. The need of the local Church for our specific contribution.

 General Statutes 87

4. The possibility for our religious to live according to the Rule of Life.
5. The prospect of vocations.
6. If it is a question of a remote country, the possibility for the Congregation to establish itself
there and to realize viable groupings of at least two or three communities in the same cultural-
linguistic setting, so as to permit an effective on-site animation, a formation of local candidates
and the possibility of transferring religious from a community without having to make them leave
their cultural-setting.
7. A preference for the poor.

90.02 Consultation

Before starting a new foundation, the Provincial/Regional, with another religious, shall visit the
proposed site and, circumstances permitting, shall invite all the communities of the
Province/Region to give their opinion. He shall make a report to the Provincial/Regional Council.

90.03 Report

If the Provincial/Regional Council decides to go ahead with the foundation, the Provincial/Regional
Superior shall send to the General Council the report of his visit to the site and the consultation,
as well as the minutes of the deliberations of the Provincial/Regional Council. He shall not fail to
mention also the opinions and arguments against the new foundation. He shall include the plans
and the estimate of costs as well as the plan for financing it.

90.04 Contract

No contract shall be signed without the approval of the Provincial/Regional Council and the
confirmation of the General Council nor without the consent of the local Ordinary.

90.05 Foundation in the territory of another Province/Region

Whenever a Province/Region plans to make a foundation in a country where another

Province/Region is already established, no negotiations shall be entered into before the two
Provinces/Regions concerned have conferred with each other and, should the need arise, have
submitted the case to the General Council.

90.06 Suppression of a house

1. Before submitting a request for the closing of a house to the decision of the General Council,
the Provincial/Regional Superior shall consult the community concerned and, circumstances
permitting, he shall invite the other communities of the Province/Region to give their opinion; he
shall ask for the consent of his Council after having drawn up a report of the information and
opinions received; he shall see to it that full justice is observed with respect to contracted
obligations.
2. He shall give previous notice to the local Ordinary and shall proceed prudently in a spirit of
solidarity and co-operation with the local Church.

The Region
91.01 Nature and erection

1. A Region comprises a group of houses that do not yet have (RL 91), or that do not have any
longer the necessary means (cf. GS 79.01/2) to be a Province.
2. A Region may be established for various reasons, but principally because of distance or
cultural and pastoral differences.
3. The Region is normally linked to its Province of origin. In the case where a Region depends
directly on the General Council, the Superior General and his Council exercise the functions
which normally belong to the Provincial Superior and his Council.
88 General Statutes

92.01 Powers

1. The Region celebrates its Chapter and carries out consultations for the appointment of the
Regional Superior in the same way as the Province. The Superior General must approve the
candidature of three religious for this office as for the election of the Provincial Superior (cf. GS
82.02).

2. The mandate of the Regional Superior is for four years, renewable once.

3. The Province will give the Region more autonomy as it grows until the day when it can be
erected as an autonomous Province.

4. The Region will always need the confirmation by the Provincial with the agreement of his Council
for candidates to be admitted to first and perpetual profession, diaconate and priesthood.

5. The Provincial Chapter sets the limits of the Region’s financial autonomy.

92.02 Representation

1. Representation of the Region at the Provincial Chapter and Council will be determined in the
Provincial Statutes. The manner of electing delegates will be determined in the Regional
Statutes (point 2 has been deleted).

2. As regards representation at the General Chapter, see GS 70.01. As regards representation

at the Amplified General Council, see RL 78.

92.03 Designation of the Provincial

When a Region becomes a Province, the Superior, Council and Treasurer of the Region remain
in office until the following Provincial Chapter, which should take place within a year.

Geographical Conference
93.01 Establishment and Powers

1. Whenever a geographical conference is being planned, the Provinces concerned shall draw
up in the Statutes the norms about its function, the frequency of its meetings, and the matter of
choosing a president and secretary.

2. In order to assure unity with the other Provinces/Regions, the geographical conference shall
keep the General Council informed of the agenda of its meetings; a member of the General
Council may attend its meetings and take part in the proceedings.

4. THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

94.01 Community life

A basic requirement of our vocation is to live a shared community life that is sustained by a
common ideal. Each one shall strive to do his part in forming a community that is united,
dedicated and prayerful.

The local superior

95.01 Appointment

1. The appointment of the local superior will take place after consultation of all the religious of
the community, according to the norms established in the Provincial/Regional Statutes. The
mandate of the local superior will follow the terms of the provincial/regional chapters, of four
years renewable once.
 General Statutes 89

2. An immediate re-appointment of a superior to his office in the same house may be made only
once. According to common law, he must be a priest (cf. can. 588, § 2); nevertheless, the Holy
See readily grants special dispensations in each case, whether for the office of superior or for
that of vicar.

95.02 Role

1. He shall exercise his authority in a spirit of service towards his brothers in such a way as to
express the love of the Lord for them; in this he shall be guided by the pastoral instructions of
Cann. 618, 619 of universal law.

2. He shall be always ready to welcome and listen to them.

3. In fraternal dialogue, he shall promote their common effort for the good of the Institute and
the Church. He shall reach his decisions, within a climate of dialogue and discernment. In case
of conflict or a deadlock, it pertains to the superior, with his council if necessary, to resolve the
matter.

4. He shall be an animator in the formulation and implementation of the community project.

5. He shall assure the orderly running of the local council and community meetings and shall
see to the carrying out of the decisions taken.

6. He shall take the spiritual life of his brothers to heart and shall promote their intellectual and
professional life.

7. He shall be a conciliator and shall seek to strengthen the unity of his brothers in charity.

The local Council

96.01 The local Council

1. For communities with more than six religious, the Provincial Superior, in dialogue with the
community, will remind them about setting up the local council and the appointment of the
members, among whom the superior and his vicar (RL 96) must be a part.

2. The norms concerning the manner of appointment, composition and authority of the local
council shall be determined by the Provincial/Regional Statutes; the local council may consist
of all the members of the community.

96.02 Various services within the community

1. The vicar of the superior and the treasurer must be perpetually professed.

2. The pastors, their assistants and the chaplains must be able to work in a true spirit of co-
operation with the bishop and according to the needs of the diocese.

3. The manner of appointment, the duration of their mandate and the responsibilities of these,
as well as of others who assure services within the community, shall be determined in the
Provincial/Regional or local statutes.

97.01 Community project and local statutes

1. Each community shall formulate a community project and revise it when opportune, taking
into account the orientations of the Province/Region and the Congregation within the context of
the local Church.

2. Similarly, each community shall draw up its own local statutes with the necessary adaptations
as regards the community meetings, celebrations and concelebrations, prayer in common, the
organization of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, etc. These local statutes shall be
submitted to the approval of the Provincial/Regional Council.
90 General Statutes

5. THE ADMINISTRATION OF GOODS

98.01 The administration of goods

It is the duty of those in charge at all levels to achieve a just sharing of resources in such a way
that the sectors well provided for do not loose sight of their duty towards their less fortunate
brothers and that the differences in living conditions that may exist between communities is
reduced.

98.02 Stable Patrimony of the Congregation or of a Province/Region

1. The Stable Patrimony is constituted by all the fixed and movable assets that by legitimate
assignment are intended to guarantee the subsistence and purposes of the Institute. Regarding
the assets of the Congregation, this assignment is determined by the Superior General, with the
agreement of his Council, after consultation of the AGC.
2. Similarly for a Province/Region, the assignment is determined by the Provincial/Regional
Superior with the agreement of his Council, after consultation of the AP/RC, and confirmed by
the Superior General with the agreement of his Council.
3. The same authority is responsible for adaptations (Can. 677 § 1), transformations and
alienation of assets assigned to the Stable Patrimony.
4. The following must necessarily be included in the list of the Stable Patrimony:
a. Assets that have been part of the “property” since the foundation of the Institute;
b. Assets that have come to the Institute itself, if the person who gave them so determined;
c. Assets assigned to the Stable Patrimony by the competent administrative body of the
Institute;
d. Properties (movable) given ex voto to the legal personality.

98.03 Inventory

Each Provincial/Regional Treasurer should know the actual purchase price or the construction
costs of the fixed assets of the Province/Region as well as the cost of the movable assets, the
mechanical installations and the rolling stock. Each year the depreciation of these assets shall
be included in the operating costs.

98.04 Evaluations

Every six years, on the occasion of the Provincial/Regional Chapter that precedes the General
Chapter, each Provincial/Regional Treasurer shall have the movable and fixed assets of the
Province/Region re-evaluated, and the details of the evaluation forwarded to the General
Council.

98.05 Goods not belonging to any Province/Region

The Treasurer General also shall make an inventory and evaluation of the temporal goods of
the Institute that are not the property of any Province/Region.

Ordinary administration
99.01 Common ownership of goods

The rules regulating the administration and use of money, specified in the Provincial/Regional
Statutes, may vary from one Province/Region to another, but they must always safeguard the
common ownership of goods.

99.02 Disposal

In the administration of goods, the Institute, each Province, Region and each house must
conform to the following arrangements:
 General Statutes 91

1. In the evaluation of land and buildings, a sure and realistic method must be employed.

2. The title deeds of ownership must be legally drawn up and be kept in a safe place; the
Treasurer General and the Provincial/Regional Treasurer shall keep a complete list and certified
copies.

3. All the bank accounts in the Congregation (those of a Province, of a Region, of a house or of
a religious authorized by the local council) must be opened in the name of the legal corporation;
at least two signatures shall be required.

4. The bookkeeping shall be carried out according to recognised norms of accountancy and
should be the same in each house of the same Province/Region.
5. A practical system of filing financial records shall be adopted.
6. Attention should be paid to using the services of a qualified accountant whenever there is no
religious in the Province/Region qualified in these matters.
All the financial records sent to the General Administration should comply with these provisions.

99.03 Reports

1. At least every three months the local treasurers shall send a financial report of their house to
the Provincial/Regional Treasurer. Before sending this report they must have it approved by the
community or by the local council. It must be signed by the treasurer and the superior.
2. Each year the Provincial/Regional Treasurer shall send to the General Council, on behalf of
the Provincial/Regional Council, a report on the financial state of the Province/Region and of
each of its houses, using the prescribed Report Form.

99.04 Responsibility for ordinary expenses

The ordinary expenditure and the juridical acts of ordinary administration that can validly be
performed by the respective superiors can also be carried out by treasurers and by other
appointed religious within the limits of their responsibilities (cf. can. 638, § 2).

Extraordinary administration
99.05 Responsibility for extraordinary administration

The Superior General, with the collegial vote of his Council, has the power to carry out, and to
authorize to be carried out, all juridical acts concerning the extraordinary administration of the
goods of the Institute, in conformity with law.

99.06 Determination of the limited amount

1. The Superior General, with the collegial vote of his Council, shall determine the limits within
which the Provincial/Regional Superiors, with their Council, can transact, and authorize to be
transacted, extraordinary expenditure and carry out acts of extraordinary administration.
For acts of extraordinary administration, this limited amount may not exceed one half of the
amount fixed by universal law for recourse to the Holy See (cf. can. 638, § 3).

2. The Provincial Superior, with the consent of his Amplified Council, and the Regional Superior
in dialogue with the Provincial and after having received the consent of his Amplified Council,
shall determine the limits within which the local superiors, with the consent of their council, can
transact extraordinary expenditure and carry out acts of extraordinary administration.

99.07 Disposal of goods

1. Whenever it is a question of the disposal of goods whose value attains the amount set by
universal law for recourse to the Holy See, or granting loans or contracting debts and obligations
92 General Statutes

for the same amount, or disposal of goods that are priceless because of their artistic or historic
value, then the contract is invalid if the consent of the Holy See has not been obtained
beforehand.

2. In other cases, it is necessary and suffices to have the permission, given in writing, of the
Superior General or the Provincial or Regional Superior, with the collegial vote of their Councils,
within the limits of each one's authority, and observing the other norms determined by law.

3. In all cases of the alienation of valuable goods, land, furniture and buildings whose value
attains the sum requiring permission of the Superior General, with the collegial vote of his
Council, 10% of the same will be remitted to the General Administration in order to build up the
Missions fund.

99.08 Acceptance of obligations

1. Superiors at various levels of government have the duty and right to see to the fulfilment of
the obligation to celebrate Masses on receiving and accepting offerings for them (cf. Cann. 945-
958).

2. The written authorisation of the Superior General or the Provincial/Regional Superior, with
the consent of his Council, is necessary to accept bequests, pious foundations or gifts that entail
prolonged obligations to celebrate Masses or that are given to finance scholarships. For the
administration, the control and the reduction of obligations, the norms of universal law are to be
followed.

99.09 Reports to the General Council in financial matters

With regard to all matters of finance that fall within the powers of the General Council, the
Amplified Provincial/Regional Council must submit to it:

1. The minutes of the Provincial/Regional and local council meetings, with the reasons clearly
stated, without omitting a report of the opinions of the minority opposed to the project.

2. The opinion of the finance commission of the Province/Region.

3. In the case of construction work: a detailed plan, an estimate of costs and the plan for
financing it.

4. The advice of local experts: financial and taxation experts and, if need be, architects and
contractors.

6. SEPARATION FROM THE INSTITUTE

100.01 Procedure

1. If a religious should habitually refuse to live our community religious life, particularly as
regards its more important aspects, the superiors shall, with much understanding, use every
suitable means they can to help this religious.

2. If, nevertheless, he should persist in his refusal and does not change his conduct, the
Provincial Superior, in dialogue with the Regional Superior, in the case of a religious from a
Region, shall give him, in writing, a canonical admonition and shall, with charity and discretion
and always with the desire for a change for the better, proceed in accordance with the norms of
law.
ART CONGREGATION of the BLESSED SACRAMENT 2017

VADE-MECUM
Guide
for the Provincial/Regional Superior

ANNEXES

CONTENTS OF THE VADE-MECUM

1. Government ................................................................................. 95

2. Formation ................................................................................... 100

3. Religious Life: dispensations ..................................................... 103

4. Particular issues ........................................................................ 109

5. Financial matters ....................................................................... 116

6. Information to be sent to the General Curia ............................... 117

*** Annexes for documents to be sent to the General Curia ......... 118
94 Vade-mecum

PRESENTATION OF THE VADE-MECUM

After the first edition of the “Vade-mecum, Guide for the Provincial/Regional Superiors,” in 2003,
requested by the General Chapter of 1999, we are presenting a second edition, in 2015. The General
Council has after more than ten years considered it necessary to make an updated and more complete
edition.

The path that led to this new edition of the Vade-mecum began by consulting an expert, a canonist who
works for the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, Father
Orlando Manzo, who had in the first place met the General Council and proposed many clarifications
from his experience. After this he revised the whole text of the Vade-mecum of 2003, making observations
and corrections that he considered useful for a reprinting.

Following this, a small juridical commission was set up under the presidency of the Superior General, Fr
Eugênio Barbosa Martins, comprising Fathers Luca Zanchi, Gabriele Di Nicolò, Giulio Maccali, and also
the undersigned Procurator General. Through the personal work of each of these and successive
meetings, as well as the presence of the whole General Council, the new updated edition of the Vade-
mecum was realised.

Let us look at it.

The largest part, with clarifications, additions and appropriate corrections, covers the chapters that were
already presented in the first edition, that is, as regards the Government, Formation, Religious Life with
annexed handouts, Financial Matters and Information (the Reports) to be sent to the General Curia.

New items on the other hand are contained under the heading “Particular Questions”, in the following
paragraphs:
 Cases of religious who are living outside of their community, with or without permission.
 The “Handling of cases of abuse” also called ‘Delicta graviora’.
 The “Transfer of Religious” from one Province/Region to another.
 The “International and Intercultural Communities” for which appropriate clarifications are
offered.
 The Provincial/Regional archives.

After the drafting of the new Vade-mecum, translations were made into different languages to enable
easier reading and use. The translators earn thanks for this.
Finally, the Secretariat of the Generalate undertook the pagination and printing.

Many persons have been involved. To all, beginning with the General Council, we express our gratitude,
and the particular gratitude of the Provincial/Regional Superiors who are its greatest beneficiaries.

May St Peter-Julian Eymard watch over the diligent work of Provincial/Regional Superiors in using this
Vade-mecum for the good of the religious of their Provinces/Regions and the whole Congregation of the
Blessed Sacrament.

On behalf of the General Council and all who have collaborated in realising this work.

Rome, 23 March 2015

Fr Carlo Vassalli, sss

Procurator General
 Vade-mecum 95

VADE-MECUM
1. GOVERNMENT

1.1 REQUEST FOR ERECTION OF A REGION

a. Norm
“The Superior General, with the deliberative vote of his Council, in addition to what is
determined by universal law, can establish Regions.” (GS 72.01/4, RL 91)

b. Procedure
1. The Provincial Superior, in carrying out the will of the Provincial Chapter or of the
Amplified Provincial Council, makes the request in writing to the Superior General
and his Council for the formal erection of a Region.
2. Together with the request and the decision of the Provincial Chapter or Amplified
Provincial Council, he attaches the Acts of the Chapter or a copy of the minutes of
the session in which the decision to erect a Region was discussed.
3. Together with the request to be able to erect the Region, he asks also for the approval
of the Statutes approved by the Provincial Council.

c. References
Can. 581 - “It is for the competent authority of the institute to divide the institute into parts,
by whatever name these may be called, to establish new parts, or to unite or otherwise
modify those in existence, in accordance with the constitutions.”

1.2 REQUEST FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA OF THE PROVINCIAL CHAPTER.

a. Norm
1. “Before publishing the agenda of the Chapter, the Provincial Superior shall consult
the Superior General who, after consulting his Council, may add the study of certain
matters.” (GS 80.01/3)
2. “The Superior General approves the agenda of Provincial Chapters and may add any
points that he considers opportune.” (GS 74.01/5)

b. Procedure
After consulting his Council the Provincial Superior informs the Superior General about
the convocation of the Provincial Chapter, and sends him the agenda for approval at least
three months prior to the date set for it (GS 80.01/2).

1.3 REQUEST FOR THE CONFIRMATION OF CANDIDATES FOR THE ELECTION OF A PROVINCIAL SUPERIOR

a. Norm
1. “The Superior General shall direct the Congregation in accordance with the powers
granted to him by Universal Law and the Statutes.
2. He confirms the candidates for the election of a Provincial Superior.” (GS 74.01/4)
3. “For the designation of candidates to the election of the Provincial Superior, the
selective ballot indicated in GS 81.02 is obligatory.” (GS 82.02/1)
4. “The Superior General shall confirm the candidature of the first three, unless grave
reasons oblige him to pass to the next candidate designated in the ballot. He shall
communicate these names to the Chapter in view of the election to be held.” (GS
82.02/2f)

b. Procedure
The president of the commission conducting the ballot sends the Superior General the
entire results of the selective ballot, signed by all the members. This commission is bound
to secrecy (GS 82.02/2e).
96 Vade-mecum

1.4 REQUEST FOR THE CONFIRMATION OF CANDIDATES FOR THE ELECTION OF A REGIONAL SUPERIOR

a. Norm
“The Region celebrates its Chapter and carries out consultations for the appointment of
the Regional Superior in the same way as the Province. The Superior General must
approve the candidature of three religious for this office as for the election of the Provincial
Superior (cf. GS 82.02).” GS 92.01/1.

b. Procedure
The Provincial Superior informs the Superior General about the confirmation of
candidates chosen with the deliberative vote of his Council, for the election of a Regional
Superior, about the reasons and deliberations of the Council.
He requests to confirm what was approved.

c. References
Can. 622 - “The supreme Moderator has authority over all provinces, houses and
members of the institute, to be exercised in accordance with the institute’s own law.”

1.5 REQUEST OF THE “NIHIL OBSTAT” OF THE ACTS OF PROVINCIAL CHAPTERS

a. Norm
1. “The Superior General, with the deliberative vote of his Council, in addition to what is
determined by universal law, can give the nihil obstat to the Acts of the Provincial
Chapters, the Provincial and Regional Statutes and to any modifications made to
them after having examined them to judge their conformity to universal and particular
law and to the nature and mission of the Congregation, and authorize the Provincial
Superior with his ordinary or Amplified Council to make the necessary amendments.
2. In examining the numbers of the Statutes that deal with financial matters, the General
Council shall be particularly attentive to the manner in which these texts safeguard
the financial unity of the Province or, where the Provincial Chapter shall have required
it, that of each autonomous Region.” (GS 72.01/2)
3. “Immediately after the closure of each session of the Chapter, the Provincial Superior
shall forward the Superior General a document containing the following information:
a. The precise dates of the sessions and the elections;
b. a list of the capitulars;
c. an official report of all the elections and ballots, the text of the decisions taken
and the changes made to the Provincial (and Regional) Statutes.
This document shall be signed by the Provincial and the secretary of the Chapter.”
(GS 82.05/1)
4. “All the Acts of the Chapter shall be published as soon as possible, after having
received the nihil obstat of the Superior General and his Council.” (GS 82.07)

b. Procedure
1. The Provincial Superior shall send as soon as possible all the documents of the Acts
of the Chapter, duly signed by himself and the general Secretary of the Chapter and
the document mentioned in GS 82.05/1.
2. He requests the nihil obstat in view of publishing the Acts of the Chapter.

c. References
Can. 632 - “The institute’s own law is to determine in greater detail matters concerning
other chapters and other similar assemblies of the institute, that is, concerning their
nature, authority, composition, procedure and time of celebration.”
 Vade-mecum 97

1.6 REQUEST FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF A PROVINCE

a. Norm
1. “The General Chapter is competent […] normally, to establish, modify, unite and
suppress provinces.” (RL 71.3)
2. “The Superior General, with the deliberative vote of his Council, in addition to what is
determined by universal law, can take decisions that would normally pertain to the
General Chapter but which, for reasons of necessity or urgency, must be taken
provisionally, before the General Chapter.” (GS 72.01/14)
3. “Should the situation arise that a Province is reduced to an insufficient number of
religious, the General Council, in dialogue with the Provincial Council concerned,
shall study the situation. The General Chapter may make it a Region annexed to
another Province or integrate its houses into other Provinces.” (GS 79.01/2)

b. Procedure
1. The Provincial Superior with his Council examines the situation of the Province in
regard to the question of its suppression and makes a report.
2. He informs the religious of the Province of this report and its assessments and
conclusions.
3. The Provincial Superior submits the report to the Provincial Chapter, which examines
the matter and makes proposals about other possibilities for the Province by means
of fusion or union or suggests the suppression.
4. these proposals are then sent to the Superior General and his Council.
5. The General Council examines the situation, the proposals and possible solutions,
and enters into dialogue with the Provincial Council.
6. The Provincial Council proposes to the religious the solution envisaged with the
General Council.
7. The Provincial Council submits a proposal to the General Chapter or to the General
Council based on GS 72.01/14, which authorises the General Council to take urgent
provisory decisions.

1.7 REQUEST FOR THE RESIGNATION OF A PROVINCIAL OR REGIONAL SUPERIOR, OR OF HIS CONSULTORS

a. Norm
“The Superior General, with the deliberative vote of his Council, in addition to what is
determined by universal law, can accept the resignation from office of a General
Consultor, the Procurator General or the Treasurer General, as well as that of a Provincial
Superior, Consultor or Treasurer.” (GS 72.01/1)

b. Procedure for the resignation of a Provincial or Regional Superior

1. The Provincial or Regional Superior presents the Superior General and his Council a
written request to accept his resignation from his respective charge, supporting his
request with arguments and reasons, and as the case requires the opinions
expressed by the Amplified or Ordinary Council.
2. The Provincial Superior requests with the agreement of his Council the approval of
the resignation of one of his Consultors or Treasurer and the election of a successor.
3. He presents an account of the deliberation in the Council.

1.8 REQUEST FOR THE DISMISSAL OF A PROVINCIAL OR REGIONAL SUPERIOR

a. Norm
“The Superior General, with the deliberative vote of his Council, in addition to what is
determined by universal law, can dismiss a Provincial or Regional Superior, with the
consent of the ordinary or Amplified Council of the Province/Region concerned.” (GS
72.01/5)
98 Vade-mecum

b. Procedure
The Ordinary or Amplified Council of the Province requests the Superior General and his
Council about the dismissal of the Provincial or Regional Superior. A report is submitted
about the deliberations and votes of the respective Councils; this report sets out the
arguments regarding the facts and the pros and cons.

1.9 REQUEST FOR THE FOUNDATION OF A HOUSE

a. Norm
1. “Our communities live in religious houses, canonically erected by the Superior
General with the consent of his Council.” (RL 94)
2. “The Superior General, with the deliberative vote of his Council, in addition to what is
determined by universal law, can canonically establish houses at the request of the
Provinces/Regions and suppress a house canonically established.” (GS 72.01/7)
3. “The Amplified Provincial Council has deliberative voice in deciding to ask the
General Council to establish or suppress a house.” (GS 88.02/4)

b. Procedure
1. “If the Provincial Council decides to go ahead with the foundation, the Provincial
Superior shall send to the General Council the report of his visit to the site and the
consultation [cf. GS 90.02], as well as the minutes of the deliberations of the
Provincial Council [taking into account likewise the criteria set out in GS 90.01]. He
shall not fail to mention also the opinions and arguments against the new foundation.
He shall include the plans and the estimate of costs as well as the plan for financing
it.”(GS 90.03)
2. To this shall the Provincial Superior will add the document expressing the local
Ordinary’s agreement (cf. GS 90.04).

c. References
Can. 609 - § 1. “A house of a religious institute is established, with the prior written consent
of the diocesan bishop, by the authority competent according to the constitutions.”

1.10 REQUEST FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF A HOUSE

a. Norm
“The Superior General, with the deliberative vote of his Council, in addition to what is
determined by universal law, can suppress a house canonically established (cf. cann.
609, § 1; 616, § 1)” (GS 72.01/7)
“The Amplified Provincial Council has deliberative voice in deciding to ask the General
Council to suppress a house.” (GS 88.02/4)

b. Procedure
1. “Before submitting a request for the closing of a house to the decision of the General
Council, the Provincial Superior shall consult the community concerned and,
circumstances permitting, he shall invite the other communities of the Province to
give their opinion; he shall ask for the consent of his Council after having drawn up a
report of the information and opinions received; he shall see to it that full justice is
observed with respect to contracted obligations.” (GS 90.06/1)
2. He shall give previous notice to the local Ordinary and shall proceed prudently in a
spirit of solidarity and co-operation with the local Church.” (GS 90.06/2)

c. References
Can. 616 - § 1. “After consultation with the diocesan Bishop, a supreme Moderator can
suppress a lawfully established religious house, in accordance with the constitutions.”
 Vade-mecum 99

1.11 REQUEST FOR TRANSFERRING A HOUSE FROM ONE PROVINCE TO ANOTHER

a. Norm
“The Superior General, with the deliberative vote of his Council, in addition to what is
determined by universal law, can transfer a house from one Province to another, whether
temporarily or permanently, with the consent of the Provincial Councils concerned and
after consultation with the religious of the house in question.” (GS 72.01/8)

b. Procedure
The Superior who makes a request sends the Superior General and his Council:
1. the request for this transfer attaching the opinion of the Provincial Superior and his
Council of the Province concerned regarding the transfer,
2. an account of the reasons for the request to transfer the house, the opinion of the
Provincial Superior and his Council, and possible disadvantages,
3. the conclusions of the consultation of the religious of the house concerned and the
text that confirms the agreement between the two provinces,
4. the request for confirmation of the transfer indicating the desired date for this to take
place.
100 Vade-mecum

2. FORMATION

2.1 REQUEST FOR ESTABLISHING A PROVINCIAL OR INTER-PROVINCIAL NOVITIATE

a. Norm
“The establishment of the novitiate house falls within the powers of the Superior General.”
(GS 54.01/1)

b. Procedure
1. The Provincial Superior makes a written request to the Superior General, attaching a
copy of the minutes of the decision of the Amplified Provincial Council and its consent.
2. He adds a description of the locality (parish, shrine, residence) and the reasons for
the choice.
3. He indicates the formation programme, formation team, group to be formed and, as
the case may be, other possibilities of formation in the Congregation and between
Congregations.
4. For establishing an inter-provincial novitiate it is necessary to send the Superior
General the written report with the reasons for 1.2.3. of all the Provincial Superiors.

c. References
Can. 647 - § 1. “The establishment, transfer and suppression of a novitiate house are to
take place by a written decree of the supreme Moderator of the Institute, given with the
consent of the Council.”

2.2 REQUEST FOR ESTABLISHING MORE NOVITIATES IN A PROVINCE

a. Norm
“The Superior General, with the deliberative vote of his Council, in addition to what is
determined by universal law, can establish, after having received the advice of the
Provincial Superior, one or more novitiates in a Province, as well as transferring or
suppressing them.” (GS 72.01/9)

b. Procedure
The Provincial Superior submits to the Superior General and his Council a written request
to establish more than one novitiate, attaching a copy of the decision of his Council, the
vote obtained and the reasons pro and con regarding the request.

c. References
Can. 647 - § 1. “The establishment, transfer and suppression of a novitiate house are to
take place by a written decree of the supreme Moderator of the institute, given with the
consent of his Council.”

2.3 REQUEST FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A MASTER OF NOVICES AND A DIRECTOR OF SCHOLASTICS

a. Norm
1. “The Superior General, with the deliberative vote of his Council, in addition to what is
determined by universal law, can appoint novice masters and directors of scholastics,
as well as approving the novitiate and scholasticate programmes (cf. GS 59.01 the
professors or the choice of seminary or university).” (GS 72.01/6)
2. “The Amplified Provincial Council has deliberative voice in presenting the names of
the novice master or director of students to the Superior General for their
appointment.” (GS 88.02/2)
 Vade-mecum 101

b. Procedure
The Provincial Superior makes a written request to the Superior General for the
appointment of the master of novices or the director of the scholasticate, attaching:
1. a copy of the minutes of the Ordinary or Amplified Provincial Council,
2. the text of the deliberations of the Council, the reasons for the choice, and possible
reservations or limitations that emerged,
3. a report providing exhaustive information about the candidate (age, years of
profession and ordination, studies done, specialised courses of preparation and
aptitude for the responsibility, experience in ministry or other fields, responsibilities
exercised in the Province/Region).

2.4 REQUEST FOR AUTHORISING A NOVICE TO MAKE HIS NOVITIATE IN A HOUSE OTHER THAN THAT OF THE
NOVITIATE

a. Norm
“The Superior General, with the deliberative vote of his Council, in addition to what is
determined by universal law, can authorize a novice to make his novitiate in a house other
than the novitiate house (cf. can. 647, § 2)” (GS 72. 01/10.)

b. Procedure
1. The Provincial Superior writes a letter of request to the Superior General.
2. He adds the judgment of the one responsible for the postulant, the assessment of the
Provincial Council and the reasons for the request.
3. He proposes the name of the religious who is to take the place of the Novice Master
and asks for him to be appointed for the formation of the novice.

2.5 REQUEST FOR THE APPROVAL OF PROGRAMMES OF FORMATION IN THE DIFFERENT STAGES

a. Norm
“The Superior General, with the deliberative vote of his Council, in addition to what is
determined by universal law, can approve the novitiate and scholasticate programmes.”
(GS 72.01/6)

b. Procedure
1. The Provincial Superior sends the Superior General a copy of the programme of
formation, indicating references to the document of formation of the Congregation
and requesting the approval of it.
2. He adds the judgment of the provincial commission of formation and indicates that of
the Provincial Council as well as his own.

c. References
RL 55, GS 55.02/2 - programme of the noviciate; GS 59.01 - programme of the
scholasticate.
Document on First Formation in the Congregation: “Follow me, an itinerary of SSS
formation” (2015): aspirancy (pp.35-44), novitiate (pp.45-62), scholasticate (pp.63-80).

2.6 REQUEST TO DELAY PERPETUAL PROFESSION BEYOND 6 YEARS

a. Norm
“The period under vows between the novitiate and perpetual profession is a minimum of
three years and a maximum of six years. Nevertheless, in particular cases, the Superior
General, with the consent of his Council, can prolong this period up to nine years.” (RL
57/2)

b. Procedure
1. The Provincial Superior sends a letter to the Superior General indicating the reasons
for the prolongation of the period of temporary profession.
102 Vade-mecum

2. He must send a separate letter for every person for whom is requested a prolongation
of the period of temporary profession.
3. He adds to the letter the mature opinion of the Council, its voting about this and
indicates the necessary formalities to be fulfilled before profession.

c. References
GS 60.01, formalities for Perpetual Profession.
Cf. can. 657 - § 2. Prolongation of temporary profession up to nine years.

2.7 REQUEST FOR THE SUPPRESSION OR TRANSFER OF THE NOVITIATE

a. Norm
“The Superior General, with the deliberative vote of his Council, in addition to what is
determined by universal law, can establish, after having received the advice of the
Provincial Superior, one or more novitiates in a Province, as well as transferring or
suppressing them (cf. can. 647, § 1)” (GS 72.01/9)

b. Procedure
1. The Provincial Superior of the place of the novitiate sends a written request to the
Superior General indicating the reasons for the transfer or suppression of the
novitiate.
2. He attaches the opinion of the Provincial or Regional Council and its results of its
vote about this.
3. When it is a matter of an interprovincial novitiate, the Provincial Superior attaches
also the opinion of all the provincial Councils concerned.

c. References
Cf. can. 647 - § 1. Suppression or transfer of the house of the novitiate.
RL 54 - place of the novitiate.
 Vade-mecum 103

3. RELIGIOUS LIFE: DISPENSATIONS

3.1 REQUEST FOR EXCLAUSTRATION OF A PERPETUALLY PROFESSED RELIGIOUS

a. Norm
1. Can. 686 - § 1. “With the consent of his council, the supreme Moderator can for a
grave reason grant an indult of exclaustration to a perpetually professed member for
a period not exceeding three years. In the case of a cleric, the indult requires the prior
consent of the Ordinary of the place where the clerics must reside.”
2. Can. 686 - § 3. “At the request of the supreme Moderator acting with the consent of
his council, exclaustration can be imposed by the Holy See on a member of an
institute of pontifical right for a grave reason, while observing equity and charity.”
3. Can. 687 - “Members who are exclaustrated are considered as dispensed from those
obligations which are incompatible with their new condition of life. They remain
dependent on and under the care of their Superiors and, particularly in the case of a
cleric, of the local Ordinary. They may wear the religious habit, unless the indult
specifies otherwise, but they lack active and passive voice.”

b. Procedure
1. The religious himself or through the Provincial Superior petitions by letter the Superior
General. In this letter he declares that he has maturely reflected about the request
before the Lord.
2. The reasons of the request must be well presented and sufficiently argued.
3. If it is a question of a religious cleric he includes a document indicating the local
Ordinary’s consent of the place where he will live.
4. A report of the opinion of the Provincial Superior and his Council is desirable, but not
necessary.

3.2 REQUEST FOR A PERPETUALLY PROFESSED RELIGIOUS TO LEAVE THE INSTITUTE

IN ORDER TO JOIN ANOTHER RELIGIOUS INSTITUTE, A SOCIETY OF APOSTOLIC LIFE OR SECULAR
INSTITUTE.

a. Norm
1. “In cases of […] transfer to another Institute, the norms of common law are to be
observed.” (RL 100)
2. “The Superior General examines, either personally or through an intermediary, the
case of a religious who wants to leave the Institute.” (GS 74,01/7)

b. Procedure
1. The religious in question, personally or through the Provincial Superior, requests the
Superior General to pass to another institute according to the norm of Can. 684, § 1.
2. The request must be sufficient and clear in its motivation and be accompanied by a
declaration of the Supreme Moderator of the Institute, to whom the person making
the request to join another Institute that expresses willingness to welcome him
according to Can. 684, § 2.
3. If a religious wishes to pass to a Society of Apostolic Life or to a Secular Institute,
before beginning the trial period according to Can. 684, § 2, it is necessary to obtain
a specific authorization from the Holy See (Can. 684, § 5).
a. The religious concerned must present a request to the Superior General and a
declaration of the Supreme Moderator of the Society of Apostolic Life or Secular
Institute in the same terms as above.
b. After this the Superior General communicates the documentation together with his
opinion and that of his Council to the Holy See.
c. The authorization once obtained according to Can. 684, § 5, the religious
concerned will have to present it to the Supreme Moderator of the Society of
Apostolic Life or Secular Institute to which he wishes to pass before beginning the
trial period indicated by Can. 684, § 2.
104 Vade-mecum

d. At the end of the probation time the Supreme Moderator of the Religious Institute
or Society of Apostolic Life or Secular Institute shall communicate the date of
perpetual profession that the religious concerned may have made.
e. Analogously, the above mentioned Superior Moderator or the religious concerned
must communicate to the Superior General if the trial period for whatever reason
has been interrupted or if the religious has not been admitted to perpetual
profession.
f. In this last case, the religious must immediately return to the Institute.

c. References
Can. 684 - § 1. “Perpetually professed members cannot transfer from their own religious
institute to another, except by permission of the supreme Moderators of both institutes,
given with the consent of their respective councils.”
§ 2. “On completion of a probationary period of at least three years, the
member can be admitted to perpetual profession in the new institute. A member who
refused to make this profession, or is not admitted to do so by the competent Superior, is
to return to the original institute, unless an indult of secularisation has been obtained.”
§ 5. “To transfer to a secular institute or to a society of apostolic life, or to
transfer from these to a religious institute, the permission of the Holy See is required and
its instructions are to be followed.”

Can. 685 - § 1. “Until profession is made in the new institute, the rights and obligations of
the member of the previous institute are suspended, but the vows remain. From the
beginning of probation, the member is bound to observe the laws of the new institute.”
§ 2. “By profession in the new institute the member is incorporated into it, and
the earlier vows, rights and obligations cease.”

3.3 REQUEST OF A RELIGIOUS TO LEAVE THE INSTITUTE DEFINITIVELY

a. Norm
1. “In cases of […] leaving [the Institute], the norms of common law are to be
observed.” (RL 100)
2. “The Superior General examines, either personally or through an intermediary, the
case of a religious who wants to leave the Institute.” (GS 74.01/7)

b. Procedure
1. A perpetually professed religious himself or through the Provincial Superior petitions
by letter the Superior General, declaring to have seriously reflected before the Lord
about the decision to leave the Institute.
2. The request must include the motives and very grave reasons for leaving the institute
(Can. 691).
3. The judgment of the Provincial or Regional Superior is desirable, but not necessary.

c. Procedure for a religious in temporary vows

1. If the religious is in temporary vows, the request to the Superior General is sufficient
to obtain from him an indult to leave the institute.

d. References
Can 688 - § 1. “A person who, on completion of the time of temporary profession, wishes
to leave the institute, is free to do so.”
§ 2. “A person who, during the time of temporary profession, for a grave
reason asks to leave the institute, can obtain an indult to leave. In an institute of pontifical
right, this indult can be given by the supreme Moderator with the consent of his council.
In institutes of diocesan right and in the monasteries mentioned in can. 615, the indult
must, for validity, be confirmed by the Bishop in whose diocese is located the house to
which the person is assigned.”
 Vade-mecum 105

Can. 689 - § 1. “The competent Major Superior, after consulting his council, can for just
reasons exclude a member from making further profession on the completion of
temporary profession.”

Can. 691 - § 1. “A perpetually professed religious is not to seek an indult to leave the
institute, except for very grave reasons, weighed before the Lord. The petition is to be
presented to the supreme Moderator of the institute, who will forward it to the competent
authority with his own opinion and that of the council.”
§ 2. “In institutes of pontifical right this indult is reserved to the Apostolic See.”

3.4 REQUEST OF A RELIGIOUS TO LEAVE THE INSTITUTE IN ORDER TO BE INCARDINATED IN A DIOCESE

a. Norm
“The Superior General examines, either personally or through an intermediary, the case
of a religious who wants to leave the Institute.” (GS 74.01/7)

b. Procedure
1. A perpetually professed religious himself or through the Provincial Superior petitions
by letter the Superior General. In this letter he states that he has maturely reflected
about his request before the Lord.
2. He must clearly explain the motivation and very grave reasons for leaving the Institute
(Can. 691).
3. A report of the opinion of the Provincial or Regional Superior is desirable, but not
necessary.
4. If the religious is in temporary vows, the request to the Superior General is required
and sufficient to obtain from the Superior General an indult to leave the Institute.
5. To the request there must be attached the declaration of a diocesan bishop
confirming his agreement to incardinate or at least welcome the religious concerned
into his diocese ad experimentum (Can. 693).
6. Subsequently the petition of the religious concerned, the declaration of the diocesan
bishop and the opinion of the Superior General and his Council must be forwarded
to the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life,
in order to obtain the indult to leave the Institute in accord with Can. 693.

c. References
Can. 691 - § 1. “A perpetually professed religious is not to seek an indult to leave the
institute, except for very grave reasons, weighed before the Lord.”
§ 2. “In institutes of pontifical right this indult is reserved to the Apostolic See.”

Can. 693 - “If the member is a cleric, the indult is not granted until he has found a Bishop
who will incardinate him in his diocese or at least receive him there on probation. If he is
received on probation, he is by virtue of the law itself incardinated in the diocese after five
years, unless the Bishop has rejected him.”

3.5 REQUEST FOR DISMISSAL FROM THE INSTITUTE

a. Norm
“In cases of […] dismissal from the Institute, the norms of common law are to be
observed.” (RL 100)

3.5.1 Dismissal “ipso facto”

a. Norm
Can. 694 - “A member is to be considered automatically dismissed if:
1° he has notoriously defected from the catholic faith;
2° he has contracted marriage or attempted to do so, even civilly.”
106 Vade-mecum

b. Procedure
1. The Provincial Superior gathers the evidence personally or by a confrere chosen by
him for this purpose; he assesses with his Council the authenticity and reliability of
the documentation gathered, whether there is any connection or crimes mentioned
in Can. 694, as well as whether the religious intended or is guilty of the charge.
2. If there be moral certitude of committing the crime and charge for intent and guilt, the
Provincial Superior issues a declaration of dismissal ipso iure.
3. Subsequently, the Provincial Superior sends a copy of all the documentation or at
least the declaration of dismissal to the General Curia so that it be kept in the General
Archives.

3.5.2 Dismissal for reasons of misconduct

a. Norm
Can. 695 - § 1 “A member must be dismissed for the offences mentioned in cann.1397
(murder, gravely wounding or abduction of persons), 1398 (taking part in abortion) and
1395 (concubinage, immoral conduct), unless, for the offences mentioned in can. 1395,
§ 2, the Superior judges that dismissal is not absolutely necessary; and that sufficient
provision can be made in some other way for the amendment of the member, the
restoration of justice and the reparation of scandal.”

b. Procedure
1. The Provincial/Regional Superior after gathering the evidence personally or by
means of a confrere chosen by him for this purpose, must present it to religious
concerned in order that he may be able to exercise the right of defending himself.
2. Subsequently the Provincial Superior assesses with his Council the authenticity and
reliability of the documentation possessed, whether there is any connection or crimes
mentioned in Can. 695 §1, as well as whether the religious intended or is guilty of the
charge
3. If, after assessing the evidence and possible defence by the religious, the Provincial
Superior has moral certitude regarding the charge of the crime and guilt, he sends a
copy of all the documentation to the Superior General, requesting the dismissal of
the religious concerned.
4. On the other hand, the Provincial Superior is not obliged to forward all the
documentation to the Superior General, except in cases of allegations regarding the
crime mentioned in Can. 1395 §2.

NB: The documentation must comprise:

a. Evidence related to the deeds and imputability;
b. Notification of the religious of the accusation and evidence, and any response on
the part of the religious (Can. 695 § 2);
c. The judgement of the Provincial Superior and his Council about the necessity of
proceeding to dismissal, or “for the offences mentioned in Can. 1395 § 2” (Can
695 § 1, regarding the dismissal not being opportune.

3.5.3 Dismissal for other “grave” reasons mentioned in can. 696 - § 1

Introduction
1. The procedure follows what is in Can. 697 apropos cases of unlawful behaviour on the
part of a religious.
2. It is however necessary that the misconduct for which the religious can be dismissed be
serious, external, imputable and juridically proven.
3. If in the course of the procedure of dismissal the religious shows he is disposed to accept
correction according to instructions given by the Major Superior, the procedure must be
halted.
 Vade-mecum 107

a. Norm
“A member can be dismissed for other causes, provided they are grave, external,
imputable and juridically proven. Among such causes are: habitual neglect of the
obligations of consecrated life; repeated violations of the sacred bonds; obstinate
disobedience to the lawful orders of Superiors in grave matters; grave scandal arising
from the culpable behaviour of the member; obstinate attachment to, or diffusion of,
teachings condemned by the magisterium of the Church; public adherence to materialistic
or atheistic ideologies; the unlawful absence mentioned in can. 665 § 2, if it extends for a
period of six months; other reasons of similar gravity which are perhaps defined in the
institute’s own law” Can 696, § 1.

Our Institute’s own law has stated:

“If these attempts by superiors [to bring back a religious living unlawfully away from his
community with the intention of withdrawing from the authority of superiors] prove
unsuccessful and the religious refuses to comply, then one may proceed in accordance
with number 19.03/4 and 19.03/5 of these General Statutes.” (GS 08.05/6)
“If a religious refuses to comply with serious and important decisions, the General or
Provincial Superior (the last one in dialogue with the Regional Superior, when it concerns
a religious of a Region), with the consent of his Council, may issue an order which the
religious is bound to obey in virtue of his vow of obedience. Such an order must be given
in writing or in the presence of two witnesses” (GS 19.03/4).
“If the religious refuses to obey and after all fraternal and pastoral admonitions have been
tried out, he can be dismissed from the Institute in accordance with the principles of
universal law and the particular law of our Institute (cf. can. 697 ff.)” (GS 19.03/5).

b. Procedure
The Provincial Superior sends the Superior General according to cann. 697, 698:
a. A brief curriculum vitae of the religious;
b. A clear and detailed report about the unlawful conduct of the religious and about the
means and attempts made to lead him to correction;
c. The document that states the case of the religious has been submitted to the
assessment by the Ordinary Council of the Provincial Superior and of having listened
to its opinion about it being opportune to begin the process of dismissal because of
the same unlawful behaviour;
d. The copy of the letter of the first canonical warning, sent by registered mail or given
in the presence of two witnesses; In the warning it must be clearly specified in law
and fact, the behaviour considered illicit and imputable to the person concerned, and
it should cite the legislation under which this behaviour is to be considered illicit.
Furthermore, it must be determined:
I. What the religious must and/or fulfil and eventually in what way and by what
period of time he must carry out the order received;
II. Dismissal should be threatened in the event of default in the manner and terms
set out;
III. It must be specified that the religious has the possibility of presenting a defence
directly to the Provincial Superior or the Superior General.
e. The copy of the second canonical warning, sent after not less than a fortnight from
the date of the notification of the first warning, and in any event after the expiration of
the time in which the religious concerned has to fulfil the order received in the first
warning. The provisions of both warnings must be identical and must be able to be
carried out by the religious concerned.
f. The evidence of the notification of the two warnings.
g. The Minutes of the Provincial Council which judges the incorrigibility proven and the
reasons insufficient in the defence of the religious. The assessment of the Council
must be made after the time has elapsed for fulfilling the order received in the second
warning.
h. The request in which the Provincial Superior asks the Superior General for the
dismissal of the religious for a specific reason.
i. All the documents, signed by the Provincial Superior and the Secretary of the Council
on each numbered page, together with the replies of the religious himself, must be
108 Vade-mecum

sent to the Superior General. The religious keeps always the right to explain directly
to the Superior General the arguments in his own defence (Can. 698).

3.6 REQUEST FOR DISPENSATION FROM THE OBLIGATIONS OF PRIESTLY ORDINATION

a. Norm
Can. 291 - “Dispensation from the obligation of celibacy is granted solely by the Roman
Pontiff.”

b. Procedure
1. The priest concerned addresses a letter to the Holy Father in the spirit of humility and
penitence, giving a summary of the main reasons that have led him to give up the
obligations of his Ordination and the reasons that impede him from retracing his steps
to surmount the crisis and resume his ministry.
2. The request has to be signed personally by the petitioner (according to the procedure
and formula established by the Holy See).
3. The Provincial Superior must prepare a dossier containing all the documents required
by the Holy See for the instruction of the cause for dispensation from the obligations
pertaining to Priestly Ordination.
4. The Provincial Superior must indicate that he has appointed someone to act as an
instructor and a secretary.
5. Three copies of this dossier must be sent to the General Curia for religious who are
more than forty years old, and five copies for religious less than 40 years old.
It pertains to the competency of the Superior General to present the request to the
Holy See.
 Vade-mecum 109

4. PARTICULAR ISSUES...

4.1 Cases of religious who are living outside of their communities, with or without permission

NORM
Can. 665 - §1. “Religious are to reside in their own religious house and observe the common life;
they are not to stay elsewhere except with the permission of the Superior. For a lengthy absence
from the religious house, the Major Superior, for a just reason and with the consent of the council,
can authorise a member to live outside a house of the institute; such an absence is not to exceed
one year, unless it be for reasons of health, studies or an apostolate to be exercised in the name
of the institute.”
§2. “Members who unlawfully absent themselves from a religious house with the
intention of withdrawing from the authority of Superiors, are to be carefully sought out and helped
to return and to persevere in their vocation.”

“Religious are to reside in their own religious house and observe the common life (Can. 665, §1).
The Major Superior shall assign each religious to the house to which he is to belong.” GS 08.04

1. “The Major Superior with the consent of his Council may give permission for a religious to live
outside one of the houses of the Institute in the following cases:
a. for reasons of health or of studies, for a period of one year; the period may be prolonged
whenever necessary;
b. for apostolic ministry, for more than a year, provided that this ministry is exercised in the
name of the Institute and that the norms of universal law and our own particular law be
observed;
c. in other special cases, for a just reason, for a period of not more than one year.” GS
08.05.1.a.b.c.

Procedure
2. “The authorization is given in writing and should always include the reason for the permission
and the duration of the absence as well as the forms of participation in the life of a community
of the Institute and the sharing of goods which the religious must observe during the time spent
outside his house.
3. At the expiry of the authorized period, an evaluation is to be made. If the same reasons maintain,
the permission is renewable, but special reasons of necessity are required considering the
importance of living in community, apart from cases related to health care, for study reasons or
ministry exercised in the name of the Institute.
4. A religious who lives outside his house without authorization loses his right of active and passive
vote in the Congregation.
5. “A religious who unlawfully leaves his religious house with the intention of withdrawing himself
from the authority of his superiors shall be solicitously sought out and helped to come back and
persevere in his vocation” (Can. 665, §2).
6. If these attempts by the superiors prove unsuccessful and the religious refuses to comply, then
one may proceed in accordance with number 19.03/4 and 19.03/5 of these General Statutes”
(GS 08.05/2-6).

For absences of more than a year, determined by other reasons, an indult of the Holy See is
necessary. During the absence, differently from exclaustration, the religious keeps all his rights,
including even active and passive vote, and remains bound by all the obligations pertaining to his
new state of life.
A particular reason for absence, quite frequent, is the assistance required to be shown to his
parents and closest blood relations. If he has to exceed this period, it will be necessary to have
recourse to the Holy See, except in a particular case the Supreme Moderator with the consent of
his Council may prefer to grant the religious the indult of exclaustration for no more than three years
in accord with Can. 686, § 1.
110 Vade-mecum

1. ”If a religious should habitually refuse to live our community religious life, particularly as regards
its more important aspects, the superiors shall, with much understanding, use every suitable
means they can to help this religious.
2. If, nevertheless, he should persist in his refusal and does not change his conduct, the Provincial
Superior, in dialogue with the Regional Superior, in the case of a religious from a region, shall
give him, in writing, a canonical admonition and shall, with charity and discretion and always
with a desire for a change for the better, proceed in accordance with the norms of law.” (GS
100.01)

4.2 Dealing with cases of the abuse of minors and abuse of power

Essential steps
1. The Provincial/Regional Superior, on being notified about a case of abuse of minors and
abuse of power regarding a religious under his jurisdiction, without delay informs the Superior
General.
2. Assured of the true basis of the notitia criminis, the Provincial/Regional Superior proceeds to
a preliminary investigation personally or by means of an expert in legal matters and
prudent in discernment with a religious who acts as a notary.
3. In the meantime the accused religious will be separated from his place of residence and
temporarily relieved of his commitments or responsibilities and inserted in the community of
the Provincial/Regional Curia.
4. After the preliminary investigation the Provincial/Regional Superior will communicate the
results to the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith and notify the Superior General.
5. In case of any doubt of the procedure the Provincial/Regional Superior should not proceed
without first having consulted the Superior General.

Complete Canonical Procedure

1. When the Major Superior (Provincial/Regional) has notice of possible abuses in sexual
matters regarding minors carried out by religious under his jurisdiction, he must above all
proceed to carry out investigations of strictly preliminary nature according to can. 1717 of the
Code of Canon Law regarding the verification of the verisimilitude of the notitita criminis,
entrusting the task, if considered just and opportune, to a suitable person of known prudence
and experience, being careful to protect in the best way possible the privacy of everyone
involved.
The bonds regarding the protection of the sacramental seal remain intact.
During this phase it pertains to the prudent discernment of the Major Superior to decide on
informing or not the religious of the accusations and to adopt any measures against him to
avoid the risk of a repetition of the supposed criminal offenses, notwithstanding the
presumption of innocence until proven otherwise.
When the above preliminary requirements are fulfilled and when the verisimilitude of the
notitita criminis is positively considered and the preliminary investigation appears “absolutely
superfluous”, the Major Superior could refer the religious directly to the Congregation of the
Doctrine of the Faith to determine the case (cf. can 1717 § 1 CIC; art. 17 Normae de delictis
Congregationi pro Doctrina Fidei reservatis seu Normae de delictis contra fidem necnon de
gravioribus delictis).
In the case, on the other hand, in which the verisimilitude of the notitia criminis is justifiably
excluded, the Major Superior could issue a decree to archive the case, keeping in his secret
archives the suitable documentation to allow him, if necessary, to bear witness about the
process carried out and the reasons for the decision taken.

2. In the case when it is noticed that there is manifest basis of the notitia criminis, the Major
Superior may proceed to carry out the preliminary investigation, observing what is
expressed in can. 1717 CIC. In particular, when the Major Superior does not consider having
to proceed personally, he appoints for this purpose a religious who is an expert in investigating
legal matters and prudent in discerning, as well as a religious with functions of being a Notary.
The investigation should gather the facts of the criminal conduct, the number and times of the
criminal acts, the general information and age of the victims, the damage done, any
connection with the sacramental ministry, any other connected crimes, although “non
 Vade-mecum 111

graviora”. In the course of the investigation there shall be gathered documents, witnesses and
information, the present reputation of the accused being safeguarded, the victims must be
listened to and all documents and measures taken by the civil authority, when relevant; as far
as possible, the question of the damage must be dealt with ex bono et aequo ex can. 1718,
§ 4 CIC.
Unless there be serious contrary reasons, the accused religious may be informed of the
accusations and have the opportunity to respond to the same.
During the preliminary investigation the Major Superior has the right to adopt, when he
considers it necessary to avoid the risk that the criminal fact be repeated, measures regarding
the accused religious ex art. 19 of the Normae de delictis reservatis, notwithstanding the
presumption of innocence until contrary proof. To this end the simple transfer of the religious
generally is inadequate, when this also does not involve a substantial change in the type of
assignment.
Any measures adopted, the cause no longer being present, must be revoked with a
successive decree and, however, cease ipso iure at the end of the penal process.
Measures will be taken by seeking insofar as possible the cooperation of the religious
concerned, but without detriment to their effectiveness; in any case, the adoption of
measures could not be dependent on the consent of the religious.
Especially when the conduct in question is not notorious, every possible suitable caution shall
be taken intended to prevent that these measures may endanger the good reputation of the
religious. The measures undertaken may be made public when there are valid reasons. A
complete documentation of the activities carried out during the preliminary investigation must
be kept, in accordance with Can. 1719 CIC. When the investigation is over, the Major
Superior will communicate it to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith according to
art. 16 of the Normae de delictis reservatis, so that the same Congregation may be able to
take the necessary decisions.

3. By law the delicta graviora must be pursued “by a judicial process” (art. 21, § 1, of the
Normae de delictis reservatis).
Except the right of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to reserve to itself the cause
ex art. 16 of the Normae de delictis reservatis, the first stage of the penal process is entrusted
to Ordinaries, to be completed according to the indications from the above mentioned
Dicastery, which constitutes in every case the Tribunal of a second level.
In the case in which the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith may have to proceed by
an extrajudicial decree, the Major Superior will have nonetheless to guarantee fully that the
accused religious has the exercise of the fundamental right of defence.
The canonical measures applied in confronting a religious who is recognized as guilty of
sexual abuse of a minor are generally of two kinds:
1) Those that restrict public ministry (in regard to a religious cleric) in a complete manner
or at least excluding contact with minors. These measures can be accompanied by a
penal precept.
2) Ecclesiastical penalties, among which the most grave is dismissal from the clerical
state (in regard to a cleric).
Perpetual penalties cannot be imposed or declared by extrajudicial decree (Can. 1342 § 2
CIC), except in a case when the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith may have
previously authorized in this regard the ecclesiastical Authority with the task by means of a
mandate ex art. 21 § 2, n.1 of the Normae de delictis reservatis. Without this mandate, the
Major Superior will have to turn to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which will
be able even to make use of the power to defer the decision to the Supreme Pontiff, according
to what is foreseen in art. 21 § 2 of the Normae de delictis reservatis.
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith also has the faculty to bring directly to the
Holy Father the most serious cases for dismissal ex officio.
It is opportune that a documentation of the case be kept in the secret archives of the
Provincial/Regional and even General Curias (cf. cann. 489, 490, § 1 e 1719 CIC).
At each stage of the disciplinary or penal procedures the religious will be ensured of a just
support, as well as the possibility of exercising the fundamental right of defence.
The religious found guilty will be able to undertake a challenging path of responsibilization
and serious renewal of his life, even by means of appropriate rehabilitating therapy and
showing himself disposed to make amends for his conduct.
112 Vade-mecum

4. The canonical process for the offences in question is independent from that which is carried
out for the same offences under the law of the State.
Consequently, the Major Superior, on the one hand, cannot refer to acts or definitive or non
definitive conclusions of the State procedure thus exempting himself from his own
assessment and/or by enforcing presumptions for the purpose of the canonical procedure.
On the other hand, even if there has not been a penal procedure according to the law of the
State (comprising even the phase of preliminary investigations), when he may have
information of possible abuses the Major Superior will have to proceed as well without delay
to assess the likelihood and, if necessary, to carry out the preliminary investigation and adopt
appropriate precautionary measures.

5. In the event that for the offenses in question there are investigations underway or a criminal
case has opened under the law of the State, it will be important that the Major Superior
cooperates with the civil authorities in the ambit of the respective competencies and in respect
for the civil law.
- In any case reference will have to be made to the norms of the Episcopal Conference of
the respective nation.
- In every case the Superior General must also be informed immediately before proceeding
to any action on the part of the Provincial/Regional Superior when there may be the
suspicion of a case of abuse committed by an sss religious.
- Possibly a commission of experts (comprising not only sss religious but also lay persons
who are of upright conduct and professionals in the human sciences) could be appointed
to assess juridical and pastoral aspects of the situations that would have to be presented
to provide objective aspects to those competent in the Episcopal Conference to express
an objective judgment.

References:
 C.D.F.: Guide to understand the basic procedure of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the
Faith (CDF) regarding accusations of sexual abuse;
 Apostolic Letter “Motu Proprio” of Pope John Paul II Sacramentorum Sanctitatis Tutela
with which the Norms were promulgated about the most grave crimes reserved to the C. D.
F., 30.04.2001;
 Letter of the C.D.F. for carrying out the Laws, addressed to Bishops and other Ordinaries
and Hierarchies… concerning the most grave crimes reserved to the C.D.F., 18.05.2001;
 C.D.F.: Substantial Norms about crimes against the faith and the most grave crimes reserved
to the C.D.F., 21.05.2010;
 C.D.F.: Circular Letter to help Episcopal Conferences in preparing Guidelines for dealing with
cases of sexual abuse towards minors by clerics, 3.05.2011.

4.3 Transfer of a religious from one Province/Region to another Province/Region

a. Premise
- It should be clarified whether it is a question of transfer being made for reasons of
necessity and help or because of choice on the part of a religious who asks to be
transferred to another Province/Region in a stable way.
- If it is for reasons of help or collaboration for one project or another, the criterion is that
the religious belongs to his Province/Region of origin and pertains to keeping all his rights
and duties: this must be clearly stated in the Agreement.
- The Agreement moreover can foresee a longer duration, in which case the terms and
modalities can be fixed for a religious’ insertion which may foresee also administrative
commitments in the Province/Region of adoption (cf. GS 83.03/4).
- Naturally the Province/Region welcoming the religious should ensure him all the help and
necessary support.
- The transfer of a religious from one Province/Region to another Province/Region cannot
ever be justified for the purpose of economic advantages on both sides.
- If it is because of a request for permanent transfer of a religious to another
Province/Region, the criterion about belonging does not apply and the transfer has to be
carried out according to the norm of Canon Law and the particular Law (cf. GS 83.03/4).
 Vade-mecum 113

b. Procedure
1. The procedure must be essentially formal and should be carried out and operated by
the competent authorities, not brought about by the individual religious, who cannot
justify or support legally his transfer only by expressing a personal favourable will.
2. The procedure should concretely include:
a. The Convention, addressed to the Superior General in a letter of intent, is written
by the Provincial/Regional Superior who consents to the presence or collaboration
of one of his religious to another, that is, to the Provincial/Regional Superior who
requests that the agreement be made.
b. Meanwhile the religious who is to be transferred will show in writing his free
availability.
c. When it is the will of the respective competent Superiors and the free
decision/availability of the religious, there is drawn up the Agreement that should
be approved by the respective competent Superiors after having heard the opinion
of the respective Ordinary Councils. This procedure and in particular the Agreement
must be submitted for the approval of the Superior General (cf. GS 83.03/4), to
whom a copy of the dossier is sent in this regard.
d. All the decisions as above will have to be cited in the Agreement with reference to
the minutes or written expressions of the will in this regard.
e. The Agreement (cf. Annex 4 - Convention) should include:
- Confirmation/ratification of the formal acceptance as above;
- Ways and times of the transfer;
- Minimum and maximum duration of the availability of the religious renewable ad
libitum;
- Assurance to the religious of maintaining rights/duties in the Province/Region to
which he belongs and the guarantee of a real involvement of the religious in the
Province/Region into which he is inserted ad tempus;
- Times and ways of verifying to assess the positive situation of the transfer or not;
- That the Agreement lapses ipso facto by the decision of the individual or the
competent Superiors on the basis of real reasons.
f. Signatures of the Convention may be affixed in electronic format.
g. As soon as the Agreement is signed by the Provincial/Regional Superiors, by the
religious and signed and approved by the Superior General, this document will be
placed in the archives of the General Curia (AGRSSS), of the two Provinces/
Regions and in the dossier of the religious.

4.4 Return of a Religious in his Province / Region of Origin

a. Premise
- It should be noted that for religious returning to their Province / Region, after a stay in a
mission of another Province / Region (with an Agreement made over time) must refer
to and comply with GS 83.03/4, and make an official to the appropriate authorities.
- The letter of Communication which is the "inverse" of the "Agreement for the transfer
of the religious from one Province/Region to another", also requires the approval of the
Superior General (see SG 83.03 / 4) who replies and gives his consent.

b. Procedure
1. The procedure consists of a letter written by the Provincial/Regional Superior, in
agreement with the Superior of the Province/Region where the Religious had previously
resided, which briefly describes his involvement in the other Province/Region and the
length of time, stating the reasons for his return, and fixing the date of his reinsertion
(return) to the Province of origin.
2. The "Communication of the Return of a Religious to his Province/Region of Origin" on
an official letter-head is addressed to the Superior General by the Provincial/Regional
Superior of the Religious (cf. Appendix 5 - Communication).
3. The signatures to this Communication may be affixed in electronic format.
114 Vade-mecum

4. Once approved and signed by the Superior General, this document will be placed in the
archives of the General Curia (AGRSSS), of the two Provinces/Regions and in the file of
the religious.

4.5 International and intercultural Communities

a. Premise
The issue of International and intercultural communities is not specifically of a juridical nature,
but of a spiritual one.
The difference between the two terms can be seen in the fact that by “international” is simply
meant a community formed by religious coming from different nations, by “intercultural” on
the other hand is meant communities formed by persons (religious) who have different
mentalities, a different culture, different religious formation, different sensitivity, although they
come maybe from the same country or the same continent.
In one or other case they depend by their right on the Institute to which they belong, according
to the universal Law, without having to be distinguished from other communities.
In each case the Major Superiors and formators should take into account the fundamental
values that should unite all religious, beyond the cultural differences of race, language etc.,
and respect the individuality, that is, the values: human, those related to faith and those
related to charism of the Institute.
Some international communities can appropriately depend directly on the Superior General
and his Council, in which case the religious who compose these do not depend any longer
on their Provinces (or Regions) of origin or on the Major Superiors of these, unless a dual
membership is desired regarding belonging to the General Curia and the Province of origin
of the religious by establishing their respective competencies.
It is possibly in the event of establishing a dual membership of the same international
community to the General Curia and to the Province in which it is, by entering into a bilateral
Agreement between the two bodies: the government of the Province would have the
jurisdiction of the community, but the General Administration would have the right to verify
the programme/project to be implemented and for which the community itself was
constituted.

b. References
“The international nature of the Congregation
There is an ever greater awareness of the international nature of the Congregation,
which at the same time crosses the barriers of mentalities of Provinces and countries.
We are ‘one body and one spirit’, one single family, and we should collaborate and
express a solidarity at all levels of the Congregation, as regards personnel, economy
and formation. The intercultural community springs from the Eucharist.
The General Council will oversee the exchange of personnel for the good of the
Province of origin, the wellbeing of the receiving community and even for the good of
the religious who offers his availability.”
Acts of the XXXIVth General Chapter, p.202

4.6 Endorsement letter for visa purposes

a. Premise
- The Endorsement letter is an official declaration of the Congregation which has legal
validity for the Italian authorities, and related as well to European regulations. Now, it is
necessary to regulate the requests for this letter from the General Curia.
- The Vatican Secretariat had made stricter norms concerning the application for religious
motive visas and the General Council considered it important to clarify and define the
procedures for requests for the Endorsement letter for visa purposes for Italy (Rome)
coming from SSS religious.
- The Endorsement letter will no longer be issued if the religious intends to reside in a
community other than that of the General Curia and in a country other than Italy.
 Vade-mecum 115

b. Procedure
1. The procedure must be official and follow the decision (31 March 2017) of the General
Council stating that the General Curia will grant the Endorsement letter only for:
- For a motive or reason specifically for the Congregation’s interest.
- A request from the Provincial/Regional Superior approved by the Superior General.
- With an obligation to send in advance the complete itinerary of the religious.
2. For all other reasons, the General Curia advise our religious to get in contact directly
with the Superior of the community where the religious intends to stay, or to ask for a
tourist visa.

4.7 The Provincial and Regional Archives (GS 66.09 and 66.10 – cann. 486-491)

Introduction
The Archives constitute the most authentic record of the memory of a Province/Region. In this
sense to conserve the memory must be also safeguarded, protected and organised. The archives
comprise a complex body of documents, which differ from a simple gathering or collection. The
archives become thus even a structure, physical space well identified according to rules and tools
for preservation, selection, transmission.

Concretely:
1. Every Provincial and Regional Curia should take care of having Archives.
2. The Archives are subdivided into Secret, Historic and Current.
a. Secret Archives: must be located in a private and secure place; they contain sensitive
material about persons or situations, in regard to which there are investigations or
considerations that have not yet reached a solution, or that when a solution is found
remain delicate issues. Only the Provincial/Regional Superior can have access to these.
b. Historical Archives: must be located in a suitable place and must contain all the material
pertaining to the history of the Province/Region regarding decisions of the ordinary or
extraordinary administration. Access to these may be had only with the consent of the
Provincial/Regional Superior.
c. Current Archives: must be situated in a suitable place and collect all matters being dealt
with by the ordinary administration of the Province/Region. These can be accessed with
the consent of the Provincial/Regional Superior but only for consultation that does not
concern persons.

N.B.:
The laws of every country must be kept in mind regarding the protection of the historical
sources of the archives in the case of closing a community (cf. GS 66.09/7) and the
relocation of the historical material of the archives.
116 Vade-mecum

5. FINANCIAL MATTERS

5.1 REQUESTS FOR AUTHORISATION FOR EXTRAORDINARY EXPENSES CONCERNING DISPOSAL OF GOODS,
SALE OR EXCHANGE AND GRANTING OF LOANS OR CONTRACTING DEBTS

a. Norm
1. “Whenever it is a question of the disposal of goods whose value attains the amount
set by universal law for recourse to the Holy See, or granting loans or contracting
debts and obligations for the same amount, or disposal of goods that are priceless
because of their artistic or historic value, then the contract is invalid if the consent of
the Holy See has not been obtained beforehand.” (GS 99.07/1)
2. “In other cases, it is necessary and suffices to have the permission, given in writing,
of the Superior General or the Provincial or Regional Superior, with the collegial vote
of their Councils, within the limits of each one's authority, and observing the other
norms determined by law.” (GS 99.07/2)
3. “In all cases of the alienation of valuable goods, land, furniture and buildings whose
value attains the sum requiring permission of the Superior General, with the collegial
vote of his Council, 10% of the same will be remitted to the General Administration in
order to build up the Missions fund.” (GS 99.07/3)

b. Procedure
1. The Provincial Superior sends a letter requesting the Superior General’s
authorization specifying its exact estimated legal or assured value.
2. He also sends the opinion of one or more experts regarding the matter, the opinion
of the Provincial Council, favourable and unfavourable observations, and the result
of the final vote.

5.2 REQUEST FOR FOREGOING OF PROPERTY PERTAINING TO PATRIMONY

a. Norm
“Any perpetually professed religious can also forego the ownership of his possessions,
wholly or in part, with the consent of the Superior General (cf. Can. 668, § 4 and GS
74.01/10). The foregoing of his patrimony however requires the following conditions:
a. the religious must be at least forty years of age and at least ten years perpetually
professed.
b. he must make the request in writing.
c. the permission is given by the Superior General.
d. one should be very prudent when it is a question of foregoing one's patrimony in
favour of the Congregation.” (GS 18.01/3)

b. Procedure
1. The religious concerned makes a request to the Superior General about disposal of
goods.
2. He indicates his motives, the total value, and the value of the part he intends to
forego.
3. He indicates the recipients who will benefit from his renunciation.
 Vade-mecum 117

6. INFORMATION TO BE SENT TO THE GENERAL CURIA

a. Norm
1. “The decentralisation of government and the diversity of local Churches necessitate
reliable and regular communication between the religious themselves and at the
various levels of government, so as to assure effective coordination.” (RL 66)
2. “Reports between the different levels of the Institute have as their purpose to respond
to the need for statistics and to furnish information on the life and activities of its
members. Above all they help to develop better communication within the
Congregation in order to obtain a more objective understanding of its situation and to
be able to furnish an animation that reaches individuals, communities and Provinces
in their real life situations.” (GS 66.01)

b. Procedure
1. The Provincial/Regional Treasurer shall send each year before March Report Form
IX regarding finances (cf. GS 99.03/2).

2. The Provincial/Regional Superior shall send the General Administration each year:
a. The personal file of the religious including novices and scholastics (Form I)
b. The list of personnel by communities (Form II)
c. The report of the most important events in the Province/Region: transfers,
nominations, professions, orders, exits, deaths (Form III)

3. The Provincial/Regional Superior shall send the Superior General each year:
a. The report about entries to the novitiate (IV)
c. The report about persons in formation (novices and scholastics: V)

4. The Provincial/Regional Superior himself or through the Provincial Secretary shall

inform the General Administration in writing about transfers of religious,
appointments of superiors of communities and directors of the most important
works or movements in the Province that are related to our mission.

AD USUM PRIVATUM
___________________

SSS Generalate
Via G. B. de Rossi, 46
00161 Rome
Italy
 ANNEXES
FOR DOCUMENTS TO BE SENT
TO THE GENERAL CURIA

1. Form I ................................................................................... 119

2. Form II .................................................................................. 123

3. Form III ................................................................................. 124

4. Form IV ................................................................................ 126

5. Form V ................................................................................. 128

6. Convention for transfer ........................................................ 130

7. Communication for return .................................................... 132

8. Form IX ................................................................................ 133

 Annexes 119

FORM I - PERSONAL FILE

1. Surname (underline the most used) : ..................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................
Baptismal name (underline the most used) : ......................................................................
Religious name : .............................................................................................................
Religious Province/Region of : ......................................................................................
Religious Community of : ..............................................................................................
Status : cleric .................. deacon .................. priest ................... lay brother ..................
E-mail address : ..............................................................................................................
Date and Place of Report : .............................................................................................

2. Information about family

FATHER
Surname : ..................................................... Name : ..............................................
Religion : ....................................................... Profession : .......................................
MOTHER
Surname : ..................................................... Name : ..............................................
Religion : ....................................................... Profession : .......................................
Address of parents or of a member of the family : ...........................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
Brothers and sisters ? ................................... How many ? ......................................

3. Information about birth

Date of birth : ................................................ Place of birth : ...................................
Province : ...................................................... State / Region : .................................
Nation : ......................................................... Diocese : ...........................................
Present nationality : ...................................... Since when : .....................................

Baptism : Date : ................................................

Place (parish) : ......................................... Diocese : ...........................................
Confirmation : Date : ................................................
Place (parish) : ......................................... Diocese : ...........................................
120 Annexes

4. Places of residence before entering the Congregation

(diocesan seminary, religious institute as a postulant, novice, professed, for how long
and to what extent)
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................

5. Studies done and degrees received for them

Date : ............................................................ Place : ................................................
Institute : ...........................................................................................................................
Description : ......................................................................................................................
Degree received : .............................................................................................................

Date : ............................................................ Place : ................................................

Institute : ...........................................................................................................................
Description : ......................................................................................................................
Degree received : .............................................................................................................

Has he learnt a trade / profession? ............... Which? ..............................................

Studies of philosophy : date : .................... Place : ...............................................

date : .................... Place : ...............................................
date : .................... Place : ...............................................

Studies of theology :
1st year : ...................... Place : .....................................................................................
2nd year : ...................... Place : .....................................................................................
3rd year : ...................... Place : .....................................................................................
4th year : ....................... Place : .....................................................................................

Pastoral formation :
date : ............................ Place : .....................................................................................
date : ............................ Place : ......................................................................................
 Annexes 121

Known language : ..................................... Spoken : .................. Written : ..............

Known language : ..................................... Spoken : .................. Written : ..............
Known language : ..................................... Spoken : .................. Written : ..............
Known language : ..................................... Spoken : .................. Written : ..............

6. Religious Curriculum
Postulancy
Novitiate
First profession
1st renewal of profession
2nd renewal of profession
3 rd renewal of profession
4th renewal of profession
5th renewal of profession
Perpetual profession
Order of Lector
Order of Acolyte
Order of Diaconate
Order of Priesthood
date of admission ....................
date of admission ....................
date ....................
date ....................
date ....................
date ....................
date ....................
date ....................
date ....................
date ....................
date ....................
date ....................
date ....................
place..............................................
place..............................................
place..............................................
place..............................................
place..............................................
place..............................................
place..............................................
place..............................................
place..............................................
place..............................................
place..............................................
place..............................................
place..............................................

7. Service carried out at successive places of residence during religious life

date
................................
................................
................................
................................
................................
................................
................................
................................
................................
................................
................................
description of services
..........................................................
..........................................................
..........................................................
..........................................................
..........................................................
..........................................................
..........................................................
..........................................................
..........................................................
..........................................................
..........................................................
residence
.....................................
.....................................
.....................................
.....................................
.....................................
.....................................
.....................................
.....................................
.....................................
.....................................
.....................................
122 Annexes

Member of a Commission : ................................................ Role : ...............................

Date begun : ............................................. Date finished : ...........................................
Member of a Commission : ................................................ Role : ...............................
Date begun : ............................................. Date finished : ...........................................

8. Departure from the Institute

Date: .................................... Place : ............................................................................
Dispensation obtained : ....................................................................................................
Notes : ..............................................................................................................................

9. Publications of the religious

Date : ................................... Object : ...........................................................................
Title : .......................................................................... Editor : ......................................
Notes : ..............................................................................................................................

Date : ................................... Object : ...........................................................................

Title : .......................................................................... Editor : ......................................
Notes : ..............................................................................................................................

10. Other information about the person

Military service : ................................................................................................................
Notes : ..............................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................

11. Deceased
Date : ........................................................ Place : .......................................................
Cause : ..................................................... Country : ...................................................
Age : ......................................................... Place of burial : .........................................
Years of profession : ................................. Years of priesthood : .................................
Number in the necrology : .................................................................................................
 Annexes 123

FORM II
SSS Religious by community
with transfers and new responsibilities

Year of the report ................................................................................................................

Province/Region .................................................................................................................
Date of the report ................................................................................................................

Transfers of SSS Religious

date of transfer
Name of religious transferred in the community of day/month/year

New responsibilities of SSS Religious

date of appointment
Name of religious new responsibility day/month/year

LIST OF SSS RELIGIOUS BY COMMUNITY

Community of …………………………………..
Name of religious initials his responsibilities

(Do the same for all the communities)

LIST OF SSS RELIGIOUS WHO LIVE OUT OF THE COMMUNITY

Name of religious initials place of residence

reason from day/month/year

Name of Provincial / Regional Superior: ........................................................

INITIALS:
PRIESTS BROTHERS STUDENTS NOVICES

SN priest novice
ST priest temporary professed
SP priest perpetually professed
LT lay brother temporary CT cleric temporary professed NL novice lay brother
professed
CP cleric perpetually professed NC novice cleric
LP lay brother perpetually
professed
124 Annexes

FORM III
Report of the principal events

Year of the report .........................................................................................................

Province/Region ..........................................................................................................
Date of the report .........................................................................................................

LIST OF THE RELIGIOUS WHO DURING THE YEAR:

have entered the postulate

Name of the candidate day/month/year community

have entered the novitiate

Name of the religious day/month/year community

have made the first profession

Name of the religious day/month/year community

have renewed the profession for the

1st time  2nd time  3rd time  4th time  5th time 
Name of the religious day/month/year community

have made the perpetual profession

Name of the religious day/month/year community

have received the order of lector

Name of the religious day/month/year community

have received the order of acolyte

Name of the religious day/month/year community

have received the order of deaconate

Name of the religious day/month/year community
 Annexes 125

have received the order of priesthood

Name of the religious day/month/year community

have received a degree  license  doctorate  master 

in an ecclesiastical or civil institute
Name of the religious day/month/year institute and city

have left the Congregation

Name of the religious day/month/year reason

have died
Name of the religious day/month/year community

Name of the Provincial / Regional Superior: ..................................................

126 Annexes

FORM IV, FOR ENTRY INTO THE NOVITIATE

Candidate’s Surname and first name ...........................................................................................

Name in religion (if applicable) .....................................................................................................
To become a religious of the Blessed Sacrament ........................................................................
Community ………………………………… Province/Region .........................................................
Date of the report .........................................................................................................................

3 copies (4 if the novitiate pertains to a region)

Author : The person responsible for formation of postulants (RL 52).

To whom sent : The Provincial Superior (or Regional who will send it to the Provincial)
The Provincial will forward a copy to the Superior General.

When : 3 or 4 months before entry to the novitiate (with the Personal file).

1. FAMILY BACKGROUND

Is there any particular point(s) to note regarding his family background or experience ?

2. INTERESTING RELEVANT EXPERIENCES

a. Commitments in the Church

Before entering as a postulant was he involved in or have pertinent commitments in the
Church?

b. Commitments in society, profession

Before entering as a postulant what relevant commitments did he have in society, what was
his work, profession ?

3. PARTICULAR ABILITIES/SKILLS

- Has he particular abilities/skills ? what are they ?

- What does he consider valuable in the past ? In what way ?

4. STATE OF PREVIOUS AND PRESENT HEALTH

- Did he have any serious illness before requesting to enter ? If so, what ?
- What is his present state of health ? (Medical certificate)

5. MOTIVATION FOR ENTERING THE CONGREGATION

- What is his motive for requesting to enter the Congregation ?
- What contacts has he had with our religious ? our communities ?
- Has he an acquaintance with the Rule of Life ? what does he think of it ?
 Annexes 127

- Has he done the postulancy ? Was he recommended by the person responsible for the
postulancy before entering the novitiate ?

6. HUMAN AND RELIGIOUS MATURITY

- Has he developed an adequate human formation for religious life : possessing human
qualities, capacity for relationships, maturity as regards dimensions relating to emotionality,
sexuality, and celibacy, formation in regard to freedom ?
- Has he an overall general basic culture pertaining to a youth who has completed the normal
scholastic programme in his country ?
- Does he show the necessary aptitudes for our Eucharistic life ? (a sense of orientation to the
Eucharist, life in community, prayer, service…)
- Has he a sufficient knowledge and maturity of faith for entry into the novitiate ?
- Is the candidate living all the commitments of his baptism as befits one of his age ?

7. DOCUMENTS
Has he provided the following documents :
- Baptismal certificate
- Confirmation certificate
- Letter regarding his “state of freedom”
- Certificate of ordination (if applicable)

8. REFERENCES
- Has he favourable references from his parish priest ?
- From other persons ? from a specialist ?
- From the Major Superior of the Institute if he has already been a religious (cf. can. 645 §2) ?
- From the Ordinary of the diocese, from his ecclesiastical superior if he is a diocesan priest or
from the rector of the seminary if he has been a seminarian, (cf. cann. 644 ; 645 §2) ?

9. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
- Is he working at the time of his request to enter ?
- Has he debts to pay ?
- Is he involved in any law suits ?
- Has he other obligations, for example, towards his aged parents who need his help ?

10. FUTHER INFORMATION

11. APPRECIATION ON THE PART OF THE RESPONSIBLE FOR FORMATION

Signature of the Director of the postulant …………………………………........………………….

128 Annexes

FORM V, FOR PERSONS IN FORMATION

Candidate’s Surname and first name ...........................................................................................

Name in religion (if applicable) .....................................................................................................
To become a religious of the Blessed Sacrament ........................................................................
Community ………………………………… Province/Region .........................................................
Date of the report .........................................................................................................................

3 copies (4 if the candidate or religious pertains to a region)

Author : The director of formation (or team) with the person concerned.
May be done in the following ways:
 the person concerned may reply himself, presents it to the director who
affixes his signature, if he is in agreement. The director adds his own
comments, discussing them with the person concerned, if possible.
 the reply is done together.

To whom sent : The Provincial Superior (or Regional who will send it to the Provincial).
The Provincial will forward a copy to the Superior General.

When : For novices, twice during the novitiate, in the middle and at the end.
For scholastics, annually, at the end of the academic year.

1. HUMAN AND RELIGIOUS DEVELOPMENT (The Life of prayer)

- I have grown in terms of my self-knowledge in the following ways (character, potential,
defects) :
- I feel that my behaviour is well balanced:
- My ability to face setbacks constructively is:
- My capacity to cope with solitude positively is:
- I feel I have achieved a sufficient sexual and emotional maturity to choose celibacy:
- My capacity to make my own decisions freely is:
- My progress toward a more integrated personality is:
- What are notable points of progress at a human level and regarding faith?
- My capacity to make a well balanced judgment is :
- My level of intelligence is:
- I am principally speculative or practical:
- I experienced growth in my prayer life to be:
- My capacity to integrate my prayer life with the rest of my personality is:
- I am at ease with community prayer:
- Why?
- I am at ease with personal prayer.
- I pray daily before the Blessed Sacrament:
- My health is:

2. THEOLOGICAL - PASTORAL - PROFESSIONAL FORMATION (The Life of service)

- I enjoy my studies:
- I show conscientiousness in my studies:
- I do the work assigned to me faithfully and well:
- My ability to work at less interesting task:
- My special gifts/talents are:
- I feel I make good use of them:
 Annexes 129

3. COMMITMENT (The Life of service)

- I am ready to try to commit myself to the Gospel and for other persons :
- I consider the following as my aptitudes in my apostolic work :
- My responsibilities in the community are :
- My outside responsibilities and activities are :
- I am responsible in my community assignments :
- I am creative in my community assignments:
- I take initiative in work:
- Sharing my possessions is:
- I live a simple lifestyle:
- Describe what you actually feel and how you actually behave in the company of the poor
and compare these with how you actually feel and behave in the company of the rich:
- I find socio-political issues interesting:
- How do I live affective relationships in a balanced way with men and women?
- I feel God is calling me to live chastity in celibate :

4. MISSION OF THE CONGREGATION (The Life of service)

I find it easy or difficult to identify with the Rule of Life:
Aspects of the Rule of Life that I find most inspiring:
Aspects of the Rule of Life for which I have reservations and why:
Am I happy in the Congregation?
For what motives ?
THE EUCHARIST IN HIS PERSONAL LIFE
Does he show an interest in the Eucharist?
How ?
Is the Eucharist the focal point of his interest?
What dimensions of the eucharistic mystery is he living?
Does he develop this?
THE EUCHARIST IN HIS COMMITMENT
Is he and is he capable of making his own, in practice, the directional scope of the Mission Project
of the Congregation?
Does he take account of it in his commitments? (RL 71)
What dimensions of the eucharistic mystery is he developing in his commitments?
Is he concerned to share our charism with others?

5. COMMUNITY LIFE (Fraternal life in community)

- My relationship with my peers/community is :
- I play a constructive part in community life (dynamic element, challenging, unifying,
expressed in reality) :
- My difficulties with living in community are :
- My relationship with those in position of authority is:
- Why?
- I volunteer for extra work that needs to be done in common:
- I prefer working in a team:
- Does he accept that the community may have something to say about his commitments?
his spare time?

6. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
7. GENERAL APPRECIATION
Signature ………………………………………………..
130 Annexes

ANNEX 6
1. FACSIMILE of the “Convention for the transfer of a religious from one Province/Region (P/R) to another,”
which must be written with the heading of the P/R and addressed to the Superior General by the
Provincial/Regional Superior of the religious.
2. To complete the text of the Convention, write on the dotted lines in red ………… leaving only what
concerns your Province or Region. Regarding the principles and norms to be determined, see what is
suggested here below in point B… (See also the Vade-mecum 4.3).
3. All that is in red must be removed from your document.
Fr ……………………………, SSS
Superior General
General Curia
ROME

C ONVENTIO N
For the transfer of a religious from one Province/Region to another

Rev. Superior General

A. Agreement

1. As Superior of the Province or Region ……………………………………………………………………,

I Fr …………………………………, with the consent of my Council, give my agreement that the religious
……………………………………………, of our Province or Region be inserted into the community of
……………………………………… belonging to the Province or Region ……………………………………
for the duration of ………………………… beginning from ……………………… .

2. As Superior of the Province or Region ……………………………………………………………………,

I Fr …………………………………………, with the consent of my Council, welcome the religious
……………………………………… of the Province or Region ………………………………………, to be
inserted into the community of ……………………………………… belonging to our Province or Region for
the duration of ………………………… beginning from ……………………… .

B. Principles and norms that must be established for an agreement (select and modify the following text
according to the agreements)

By a mutual agreement, for the insertion of the religious Fr ……………………… into a community of the
Province or Region ……………………………… we have established the following points:

a. This Convention has a fixed or indeterminate duration, as established by the respective competent
Superiors. This will be taken into account in defining the duration of what is set out in the decree of
agreement.

b. The Convention may cease for serious and real reasons by a new decree confirming the decision
to end the term of the presence of the religious, who will consequently return to his Province or Region
of origin.

c. 1. With the passage to another Province or Region the religious maintains his active and passive
voice only in his Province or Region of origin, with nevertheless the religious’ guarantee of real
commitment in the Province or Region where he is inserted ad tempus.
2. In addition, the Convention may provide for a longer duration and, in this case, the terms of
insertion of the religious may be fixed insofar as also foreseeing administrative tasks in the Province
or Region of adoption (cf. GS 83.03/4).
 Annexes 131

d. Holidays/absences will be established with the Superior of the community, taking into account above
all the needs of the community itself. Every other prolonged absence will not be permitted without
positive agreement of the Provincial or Regional Superior of the Province or Region in which the
religious is inserted, after having heard the opinion of the local Superior regarding the reasons for
this.

e. The upkeep of the religious in regard to his presence and activities will be entirely the responsibility
of the Province or Region that welcomes him. He will undertake with availability the community’s
manner of poverty in the management and use of goods. For personal expenses, the Province or
Region that welcomes the religious must provide him with all the necessary help and support.

f. The religious commits himself to assume the project of the community in which he is inserted
and shows his availability and concrete collaboration in carrying this out in a constant climate of
dialogue and reciprocal respect with the local Superior.

g. The Convention for the transfer of a religious from his Province or Region of origin for reasons of
necessity and assistance to the Province or Region to which the community where he is inserted
belongs or because of the choice of the religious requesting to be transferred there, can never be
justified for purposes that entail economic advantages for the two parties concerned.

C. Agreement of the religious

3. I …………………………… religious of the Province or Region ……………………………………, give

my free and full availability to be inserted into the community of ………………………………… belonging
to the Province or Region ………………………………………………
Signature of the religious …………………………………

D. Signature and seal of the Provincial or Regional Superiors

Place: city
Date: day / month in letters / year
The Superior of the Province or Region ……………………………
Fr ……………………………
Provincial or Regional Superior

Place: city
Date: day / month in letters / year
The Superior of the Province or Region ……………………………
Fr ……………………………
Provincial or Regional Superior

E. Signature and seal of the Superior General

4. SEEN AND APPROVED:

Place: city
Date: day / month in letters / year

Fr ……………………………
Superior General

4. The signatures of this Convention may be set up on an electronic format.

5. Once signed by the Provincial/Regional Superiors, by the religious and having received the approval of
the Superior General, with his signature, this document will be placed in the archives of the General Curia
(AGRSSS) and of the two Provinces/Regions and in the dossier of the religious.
132 Annexes

ANNEX 7
1. FACSIMILE of the “Convention for the return of a religious to his Province/Region (P/R) of origin”, which
must be written with the heading of the P/R and addressed to the Superior General by the
Provincial/Regional Superior of the religious.
2. To fill the text of the Convention, write on the dotted lines in red ………… leaving only what concerns
your Province or Region.
3. All that is in red must be removed from your document.
Fr …………………………………, SSS
Superior General
General Curia
ROME

C OMMUNIC ATION
For the return of a religious to his Province/Region of origin

Rev. Superior General

As Superior of the Province or Region …………………………………………………… in agreement with

Fr …………………………… Superior of the Province or Region ………………………………… where the
religious ……………………………… had resided until now, I hereby inform you of his official return to his
Province or Region of origin. Here is some brief information regarding him:
 He has lived in the Province or Region ……………………………… since ………………… after having
set up a Convention of agreement signed on ………………. He has been engaged in pastoral work
and / or formation ……………… and resided in the following communities ………………………………
 For some time and also because of his age (give the reasons for his return…) the religious has asked
to be able to return to his Province or Region of origin.
 After having heard the Superior of the Province or Region …………………………… we have jointly
agreed to set a time ………………………… to arrange his departure.

With the consent of my Provincial or Regional Council I inform you of the official and final re-entry of the
religious …………………………… in his Province or Region of origin and from ……………………… he is
a member of the community of ………………………………

In witness whereof
Place: city
Date: day / month in letters / year
For the Province or Region ……………………………

Fr ……………………………
Provincial or Regional Superior

SEEN AND APPROVED:

Place: city
Date: day / month in letters / year

Fr. ……………………………
Superior General

4. The signatures of this Communication may be set up on an electronic format.

5. Once signed by the Superior General for agreement this document will be placed in the archives of the
General Curia (AGRSSS) and of the two Provinces/Regions and in the dossier of the religious.
 Annexes 133

Form IX
Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament
Province ..................................................

BALANCE SHEET
31 December 20…

Please do not change this form and fill it in as it is.

1000 ASSETS

1001 Cash and Temporary Investments ............ € ______________

1002 Account Receivable ................................... € ______________
1003 Long Term Investments ............................. € ______________
1004 Dividend/Interests Receivable ................... € ______________
1005 Loans Receivable ...................................... € ______________
1006 Prepaid Expenses ..................................... € ______________

1500 TOTAL ASSETS.................................................. € ______________

2000 LIABILITIES
2001 Accounts Payable ...................................... € ______________
2002 Patrimony (Funds Held in Trust)................ € ______________
2003 Funds Held on Deposit .............................. € ______________
2004 Exchanges................................................. € ______________

2500 TOTAL LIABILITIES ........................................... € ______________

3000 FUND BALANCES

3011 Restricted (Chapter Designated) ............... € ______________
Education Fund ........................... € ______________
Retirement Fund ......................... € ______________
Medical Fund .............................. € ______________
3010 Unrestricted
Administration Fund .................... € ______________

35000 TOTAL FUND BALANCES ............................... € ______________

3900 TOTAL LIABILITIES/FUND BALANCES ............ € ______________

134 Annexes

FIXED ASSETS
Land ................................................................... € ______________
Buildings and Furnishings .................................. € ______________
Vehicles.............................................................. € ______________
Office Equipment ................................................ € ______________
Less: Accumulated Depreciation ........................ € ______________

TOTAL FIXED ASSETS ............................................... € ______________

INCOME AND EXPENSES SUMMARY FOR YEAR

Total Income for Year 201 .................................. € ______________
Total Expenses for Year 201 .............................. € ______________
Net Gain (Loss) .................................................. € ______________

Province: ....................................................................

Number of Religious: .................................................

Treasurer: ...................................................................

Currency used in Report: ..........................................

Date submitted: _____/_____/_____

Signature ......................................................................
Provincial or Regional Treasurer
 SSS DIRECTORY
Summary

DOCUMENTS

Preface ....................................................................................... 3

Rule of Life ................................................................................. 5

General Statutes ....................................................................... 45

Vade-mecum ............................................................................ 93

ANNEXES

1. Form I ................................................................................... 119

2. Form II .................................................................................. 123

3. Form III ................................................................................. 124

4. Form IV ................................................................................ 126

5. Form V ................................................................................. 128

6. Convention for transfer ........................................................ 130

7. Communication for return .................................................... 132

8. Form IX ................................................................................ 133

 AD USUM PRIVATUM
___________________

November 2017

SSS Generalate
Via G. B. de Rossi, 46
00161 Rome
Italy