Dominican Life_Joret_OCR_CK.pdf - the Catholic Kingdom!

3O
DOMINICAN LIFE
world," as the ancient rule " expresses
it. We give
"
order," it says, that no brothers or sisters of this Order
or Fraternity should be allowed, after their Profession,
to leave the Order or to return to the world. It is permitted,
however, to pass over to one of the approved
religious Orders where the three solemn vows are
professed."
In such a case, ascent is made to a still more perfect
condition of life, to which one is bound still more closely
by the vow of religious obedience, which is a promise
made to God. In the Third Order there is no promise
to God, but a word of honour is given. And that is a
great thing.
Even in the world the breach of such a
pledge is very severely judged. Moreover, this particular
undertaking is, like the above-mentioned vow,
the Church and
made in public
: it is
regulated by
officially accepted by her. It is therefore weighty. One
must " not lightly bind oneself in that way.
No one shall be admitted into the Third Order
unless, after careful investigation and sufficient testing,
he gives reason to hope that he will persevere in his good
resolution." Maxime si sit juvenis. If he is
young, particular
circumspection is necessary (II. 8). Moreover,
no one must be inscribed in the Third Order before the
completion of his eighteenth year. Only with the sanction
of the Prior Provincial, given for adequate reasons,
is it allowable to receive a postulant at the age of seventeen
(II. 9). Finally, before being admitted to their
profession, novices must apply themselves for a year to
study the Rule under the direction of the Master of
Novices " in order to acquire a knowledge of their
obligations, and strive to assimilate the spirit
of our
Holy Father, St. Dominic " (V. 21).
I can, at any rate, understand the mentality of Blessed
Osanna of Mantua, who, after having entered the novitiate
of the Third Order at the age of fourteen was
(it
permissible in those days), deferred making her Profession
for forty years. But I can find no excuse for those
More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com