Doubt — Bontempi, Palladium Theologicum V · from Schola Thomistica
Doubt IV: Whether a legacy to a religious stands, as belonging to him personally
I SAY the intention of the Testator is to be expounded and received benignly, so that it be understood that the legacy is dispensed in a lawful manner, leg. Plenum, §. equis, ff. on use, and habitation. And dispositions must be interpreted rather that they may stand than that they may perish, as the Doctors warn on Leg. In contrahenda ff. on the rules of law. And the perplexity of words is to be interpreted from the presumed will of the one disposing, Leg. qui quadringenta ff. on the lex Falcidia. See Diana part 3. tract. 2. resol. 34. Baffaeus num. 19.
An stet Legatum Religioso, ut ad eum precise pertineat.
DICO Testatoris intentionem benigne explicandam, et accipiendam, ut intelligat dispensari illud legatum modo licito leg. Plenum, §. equis, ff. de usu, et habitatione. Et oportet dispositiones interpretari potius ut valeant, quam ut pereant, ut monent DD. in Leg. In contrahenda ff. de reg. iuris. Et Verborum perplexitas interpretanda est ex praesumpta disponentis voluntate Leg. qui quadringenta ff. ad leg. Falcidiam. Vide Dianam parte 3. tract. 2. resol. 34. Baffaeum num. 19.
He can THEREFORE acquire a Legacy for the sole uses conceded to a Religious, by license. If, however, the testator expresses that he wills the Legacy only under the condition that it be under the dominion of the Religious, it falls; because then the will obtains the first place. See Baffaeus.
POTEST ideo Legatum acquirere ad solos usus Religioso concessos, ex licentia. Si tamen exprimat testator nolle Legatum nisi sub conditione, ut sit sub dominio Religiosi corruet; quia tunc primum locum voluntas obtinet. Vide Baffaeum.