Article — Konings, Theologia Moralis
ARTICLE IV: PROFESSION ACCORDING TO SOME RULE
- Principles. - I. For valid profession there is required:
1° Aptitude of the one vowing, namely that he have no impediment which is judged substantial either from divine law, or from canon law, or from statutes confirmed by the Supreme Pontiff.
2° Consent and acceptance of the Prelate of the Order, or, where it is required, of the Chapter. (B) p. 477. But error concerning the substance, both on the part of the one professing and of the one admitting, makes the Profession void.
3° Liberty of the one vowing, that is, that Profession be made spontaneously, grave fear being excluded, or even reverential fear joined with importunate prayers often repeated, flatteries, command, or grave offense or indignation of blood-relatives continued for a long time, also with threats added concerning subsidies to be denied if he leaves Religion. For these things singly, or certainly joined together, considered with the condition of a rude and timid man, can induce just fear and invalidate profession; as Laymann teaches with others.1 (l) p. 477.
II. From religious Profession is born the obligation, of itself perpetual, 1° of observing the vows; 2° of observing the rule; 3° of tending to perfection. I say: of itself perpetual; because, as we shall say below, it can either cease or be changed.
Notes to n. 1159. (1) L. V. 5 seq. L. VI. 1047. sq. Appendix annotation (B), to n. 1159. 2°. p. 447. col. 1. The Congregation on the State of Regulars, on Feb. 7, 1862, declared that the conventual Chapter must indeed be heard for the instruction of the mind of the Superiors; but that the Superior General, or his subdelegate, is by no means bound to stand by the resolution of the same Chapter. Bizzarri, Collect. p. 912. Appendix annotation (Γ), to n. 1159. II. p. 447. col. 1. "Profession is distinguished as twofold; one express, the other tacit. The former is that which is expressed by word, writing, or another sign sufficiently declaring consent. But the latter is that which is made neither by voice, nor by writing, nor by another sign, but is judged to be induced through one or more acts proper to those professed. - As regards religious, tacit profession has been abrogated (S. C. on the State of Regulars, June 12, 1858, n. XL. Cf. Bizzarri, Collect. p. 907). In monasteries of Nuns there can still be place for it, either by wearing the habit of the professed for the time required by law, c. 1, 3, de Regul. in 6°; and Clem. 2, de Regul.; or by involving oneself in acts proper to the professed. But that tacit profession be valid, besides age and novitiate, it is required 1° that the habit was taken, or the act exercised, with the consent of the Superior who can admit to Religion, or at least that it was done with him knowing and not contradicting. 2° That the novice know that tacit profession is induced through such an act or wearing of the habit. 3° That the act or wearing of the habit be done with the mind of professing. 4° That the act or wearing of the habit be done freely and not by compulsion." Van der Velden-Piat, T. I. n. 241 (4).