Chapter — 1917 Code of Canon Law
Chapter I: Of Postulancy
Superseded as law in 1983 — read why this Code still matters. Each canon links to its 1983 counterpart.
§ 1. In religions with perpetual vows, all women and, if there is question of a religion of men, lay brothers, before they are admitted to the novitiate, are to carry out postulancy for at least six full months; but in religions with temporary vows, as regards the necessity and time of the postulancy, the constitutions are to be followed.
§ 2. The major Superior can prolong the prescribed time of postulancy, but not beyond another six-month period.
§ 1. In religionibus a votis perpetuis mulieres omnes et, si agatur de religione virorum, conversi, antequam ad novitiatum admittantur, postulatum ad sex saltem integros menses peragant; in religionibus vero a votis temporariis, ad necessitatem et tempus postulatus quod attinet, standum constitutionibus.
§ 2. Superior maior praescriptum postulatus tempus potest prorogare, non tamen ultra aliud semestre.
1983 Code correlation: can. 597
§ 1. The postulancy must be carried out either in the house of novitiate or in another house of the religion in which discipline is accurately observed according to the constitutions under the special care of an approved religious.
§ 2. Postulants are to wear clothing that is modest and different from the clothing of novices.
§ 3. In monasteries of nuns, aspirants, while they carry out the postulancy, are held by the law of enclosure.
§ 1. Postulatus peragi debet vel in domo novitiatus vel in alia religionis domo in qua disciplina secundum constitutiones accurate servetur sub speciali cura probati religiosi.
§ 2. Postulantes vestem induant modestam ac diversam a veste novitiorum.
§ 3. In monasteriis monialium adspirantes, dum postulatum peragunt, lege clausurae tenentur.
Postulants, before they begin the novitiate, are to devote themselves to spiritual exercises for at least eight full days; and, according to the prudent judgment of the confessor, they are to premise a general confession of their past life.
Postulantes, antequam novitiatum incipiant, exercitiis spiritualibus vacent per octo saltem integros dies; et, iuxta prudens confessarii iudicium, praemittant generalem anteactae vitae confessionem.