RULES

OF THE

THIRD ORDER OF ST. DOMINICK.

СНАР. І.

Of the Qualities required in those who are to be Received.*

IN the first place, to secure the continual and perpetual advancement of this order, which must principally depend on the due dispositions of those who are received, we will and ordain that no one shall be admitted into the order of this Confraternity, unless by the Master or Director,† and by the Prior of the said Confraternity, or with their leave, and the consent of the greater part of the professed brothers of the said place, and after a diligent inquiry whether he be of a virtuous life and good repute, and no way suspected of heresy, but rather, as becomes a devoted son of St. Dominick, zealous for the Catholic faith and a promoter of it as far as in him lies; who, before he receives the

* The first order, called the Order of Friars Preachers, was founded in 1203; the second, namely, that of Nuns, in 1206; and the third in 1209. + See Chap. xx.

habit, must fully satisfy and pay all his debts if he owe any, and be reconciled to his neighbours, as also have his last will made according to the advice of a prudent confessor. And the same inquiries are to be made with regard to women seeking admission into the order. These, if married, cannot be received into the Confraternity without the leave and consent of their husbands; which consent must be given in a written and formal document.* same we order to be observed in regard of men who have wives, unless one or other be prevented by some cause which prudent persons deem sufficient.

CHAP. II.

The

Of the Habit of the Brothers and Sisters. +

All the brothers and sisters of this Confraternity are to wear white and black clothes, which must not be costly either in reality or appearance, but plain and modest, as suits the servants of God. Their cloaks are to be black, as also the capuces of the brothers; their tunics white, the sleeves extending to the wrists, not open, but sewed. Their

* Where the habit is not worn openly, the private consent of the husbands will suffice.

This chapter principally regards those who openly wear the habit and live in community. As to the dress of the other Tertiaries, Benedict XIII, in his bull, Pretiosus, mentions that it differs in different countries. In Portugal they dress like other persons, merely wearing the scapular inside their garments. In Flanders they always appear in black. Whatever may be the form or colour of the dress, it should be invariably simple and modest.

belts must be of leather, which the sisters are to wear over their tunics. In the form of their pockets, their shoes, and the like, all worldly vanity must be avoided. The veils and bands of the sisters are to be of white linen or canvass.

CHAP. III.

Of the Blessing of the Habit, and of the manner of receiving it.

Whoever is to be received to the habit, must be received in the chapter-room of the Confraternity, or before the altar of the Dominican church of the place, by the master or director aforesaid, or by his vicar. He, then, who is to be received, humbly asks on his knees to be admitted, and the master, in the presence of some other Dominicans, and the prior of the Confraternity, or his vicar, blesses the habit, and puts it on him, saying the Veni Creator Spiritus, before the altar. The members present will continue the hymn to the end; which being finished, the master says, Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison, Kyrie Eleison, Pater noster, &c. Emitte Spiritum tuum et creabuntur; Salvum fac servum tuum, &c. Oremus: Deus, qui corda fidelium Sancti Spiritus illustratione docuisti, &c. Pretende famulo, &c., and being answered Amen, he sprinkles holy water on him, and then all the brothers give him the kiss of peace. The sisters are

received in the same way as was said of the brothers.

*The word in the original is sub, but it here signifies over; sub, at the time, being often used for super. Vide the Regola del Terz' Ordine,' by the Vicar-General, Vivianí.

CHAP. IV.

Of Profession, or the way of Professing.

The year of trial being completed, or sooner, if the master and brothers find the person fit, he is to make his profession in the hands of the master thus: "To the honour of God Almighty, Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost, and of the blessed Virgin Mary, and of St. Dominick, I, brother N. N., before you, N. N., Director, and you, N. N., Prior of the Brothers of Penance of St. Dominick, in such a place, do make my profession, that I am resolved* henceforward to live according to the form and rule of the brothers and sisters of the same order of penance of St. Dominick till death." The women are to profess the same way before the master or prioress of the sisters, or to whom they may commit the office.

*It will be observed, that as this form of profession does not contain any vow, the word promise is not used. In the old translation that word is found, but very improperly, as it does not exist in the original.

If those who are professed wish to make a vow of perpetual chastity, as I believe is universally done by the Tertiaries in Ireland, they may add to the form in the text, "Likewise, I consecrate myself to the Lord, and promise to observe perpetual chastity." But this vow should not be rashly made-never without consulting an enlightened director.

CHAP. V.

Of Persevering in this State.

We order, however, and determine, that no brother or sister of this Confraternity and order, after making the above profession, shall quit this order, neither shall it be lawful for them to return to the world; yet they may freely and lawfully enter and embrace any of the approved orders, which profess the three solemn vows.

CHAP. VI.

Of Canonical Hours to be said.

The brothers and sisters are to say all the canonical hours, unless sickness should prevent them. For matins, they are to say twenty-four Paters; for vespers and complin, fourteen, and for each of the other four hours, seven. But in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary, they are obliged to say an Ave Maria with each of the above Paters. For the blessing of the meat at table, let them say a Pater and Ave, and the same for thanksgiving after meat, or the psalm, Miserere mei Deus, or the Laudate Dominum omnes gentes, if they know them. All those who know how to say the Creed, † are to say it in

*Return to the world,' in ascetic language, signifies the withdrawal from the observances of a religious life.

+ When this rule was written, the people in some parts of Europe were in a deplorable state of ignorance, so that they became an easy prey to the heretics of that period.