Dominican Life_Joret_OCR_CK.pdf - the Catholic Kingdom!

34 DOMINICAN LIFE
because systematic refusal to perform penances imposed
for faults would be very apt to lead to contempt.
We are now in a position to understand the sense and
the implications of the last paragraph in the Rule of the
Dominican Third Order. After stating that its injunctions
do not bind under penalty of sin against God, but
only bind us to the penance fixed by the Rule or laid
down by the Director of the Chapter or Fraternity,
" it
adds : Mindful, however, of their Profession, let all
the Brethren observe the ordinations of this Rule by the
help of the grace of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
In order to observe faithfully the Rule which they have
embraced, Tertiaries should re-read it from time to
time. Perhaps on the day of their Profession they heard
themselves addressed by the Director of the Dominican
The
Fraternity in the terms of an ancient formulary.
"
words only state the exact truth : Receive, Brother,
this Rule as a lasting record and memorial of the promise
you made to-day. Know that it will be shown to you
at the Last Judgment by the holy angels for your glory
and security if you have kept it ; if,
on the other hand,
you have neglected it, it will be turned against you by
your accusers to your despair and shame. Take it therefore
with your hands, embrace it with your mind, that
embracing it in deed, it may profit you unto life everlasting."
III.
RISKS AND SPIRITUAL ADVANTAGES
The Tertiary's
" order sheet
"
is therefore one which
is calculated to reduce to a minimum the spiritual
to which he is
exposed, whilst at the same time
dangers
providing him with enormous advantages.
Risks there are, undeniably. It stands to reason that
if we have placed ourselves in a state which entails more
claims upon us, we shall have more opportunities for
failure.
However, the sins to which we become liable as
be venial. I shall never commit
Tertiaries will only
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