Chapter III — On the distinction of vows

I. A vow is divided: 1. into absolute, conditional, and penal; 2. into solemn and simple; 3. into necessary and free; 4. into common and particular; 5. into real, personal, and mixed; 6. into affirmative and negative; 7. into perpetual and temporal; 8. into reserved and non-reserved; 9. into public and hidden; 10. into express and tacit, or into mental and vocal.

II. An absolute vow is free from every condition. A conditional vow has a condition attached — as if you say: "I vow alms, if I recover." Penal is when a penalty is attached, as if you say: "If I gamble, I vow a scourging." A penal vow differs from a conditional one, in that in the latter a condition is attached as condition, in the former as penalty.

III. A solemn vow is made in the sight of the Church, by which it is accepted through a Superior. A simple vow is made privately by a person. A necessary vow is that which all make in Baptism, renouncing the devil and his pomps. It is called necessary, because it concerns the observance of the evangelical law necessary for salvation. Free is that concerning a matter not necessary for salvation, such as entering Religion; or, if it concerns something already commanded, someone freely adds a vow. Common is the same as necessary, and particular the same as free.

IV. A real vow is that by which an external thing is offered to God. A personal vow is that by which an action or omission affecting the person is promised to God. A mixed vow concludes both, namely both a thing, such as alms, and an action, such as a pilgrimage. An affirmative vow is that by which something positive is pledged to God, such as alms. A negative vow abstains from something, such as from flesh, from gaming, from a sin.

V. A perpetual vow lasts until the death of the one vowing, such as a vow of monastic profession, of a perpetual alms, etc. Reserved vows are called those from which interior Prelates cannot dispense, but can from those not reserved. An express vow is that which is made in conceived formulas. An implicit, or tacit vow is that which is not made in express words, but is attached to another thing or state, such as the vow of chastity which Subdeacons make in receiving sacred Orders. A public vow is that which is made openly. A hidden vow, that which is made secretly. All these are obvious.