Disputation — Bontempi, Palladium Theologicum V · from Schola Thomistica
Disputation II: On the Religious State, or on Solemn Vows
AMONG the other advantages of solemn vows this one especially shines forth, that in this state not fewer vows are joined together among themselves than of lives of many persons joined together; Hence, as the Seraphic Doctor teaches tit. 4. Diaetae, cap. 1., many gathered together into one walk more securely, resist more strongly, and take their comfort more sweetly: hence also it is said in Psalm 49.: Gather together unto him his saints, seeing that, it is better that two be together than one, for birds flying apart are either rapacious, like hawks; or mourning the loss of their companion, like turtledoves; nor does the Lord suffer anything but a pair of Turtledoves to be offered in the Temple, that we may know that, if the soul is alone, having no one to be joined to, it has not even that bond of perfection, namely charity, by which it is joined; wherefore the Holy Spirit descended not upon the Disciples scattered, but assembled together Act. 2., as the Saintly Doctor observes in the place cited, where he illustrates the conventual life with many other and most beautiful similitudes.
INTER caetera solemnium votorum emolumenta illud praecipue emicat, ut non minus in hoc statu plura inter se vota, quam plurium inter se vitae consocientur; Hinc enim, ut Seraphicus edocet tit. 4. Diaetae, cap. 1. plures in unum congregati incedunt securius, resistunt fortius, et solatiantur iucundius: hinc etiam Psalmo 49. dicitur: Congregate illi sanctos eius, quippe quia, melius est duos esse simul, quam unum, volucres enim seorsim volantes, aut rapaces sunt, ut accipitres; aut socii iacturam lugentes, ut turtures, nec patitur nisi par Turturum offerri in Templo Dominus, ut sciamus, signum esse, si sola sit anima, non habens cui societur, non habere etiam vinculum illud perfectionis, charitatem scilicet, quo societur; quare non in disgregatos, sed in convocatos Discipulos descendit Spiritus Sanctus Act. 2. ut observat S. Doctor loco citato, ubi pluribus aliis, et praeclaris similitudinibus conventualem vitam illustrat.
HE treats of these things also in the Ecclesiastical Hierarchy, and more broadly in many little works, after the exposition of the Rule of the Friars Minor, where he disputes against the assailants of religion. But since this disputation is broad, we shall divide it into many Sections; and first concerning the state of Religion in general: Then indeed we shall treat of the individual Vows: in which disputation Suarez and Sanchez speak excellently and at length. Waldensis Tom. 1. Doctrinalis fidei., Bellarm. Tom. 2., with Valentia disput. 10.
DE his agit etiam in Ecclesiastica Hierarchia, et latius in multis opusculis, post expositionem Regulae Minorum, ubi disputat contra religionum impugnatores. Quoniam vero lata est haec disputatio, in multas Sectiones eam dividemus; et primo de statu Religionis in communi: Deinde vero de singulis Votis agemus: In qua disputatione egregie loquuntur, et late Suarez, et Sanchez. Waldensis Tom. 1. Doctrinalis fidei. Bellarm. Tom. 2. cum Valentia disput. 10.
Within this disputation
Section I: On the Vows of Religious in Common
- Question I: In what solemn vows differ from simple vows
- Question II: Whether solemn vows are necessary to the religious state
- Question III: Whether, and how, this state is holy
- Question IV: Whether the three vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience are essential to the religious state
- Question V: Whether the Pontiff can dispense in solemn vows
- Question VI: Who are to be received into religion
- Question VII: On novices
- Question VIII: What is required for profession in religion
- Question IX: Whether, and how, religious are bound to perfection
- Question X: Whence the greater perfection of a religious order is to be judged
- Question XI: On passing to another religious order
- Question XII: On the expulsion of religious
- Question XIII: Whether every religious is bound to all the counsels
- Question XIV: Whether religious ought to teach, preach, etc.
- Question XV: Whether religious ought to labor with their hands
- Question XVI: Whether it is lawful for religious to transact secular business