§ 4. Obligation of the Rule or Constitutions

— I. Notion. A rule is a norm of living according to evangelical perfection, imposed upon religious so that commonly and efficaciously they may tend toward the end of their religion.

From received usage, the word rule is rather reserved for the more ancient norms, which often are, for various Institutes, a certain fundamental law; while more recent norms, or those which are added to the rule, assume the name of constitutions. Thus the black Benedictines and the Trappists have the common Rule of St. Benedict, but their own Constitutions.

— II. Obligation of the Rule. Today the whole rule is never contained in counsels, but, at least in several articles, it brings forth some obligation, whether direct, when it induces guilt of sin, either proportioned to the matter or light; or indirect, or at least of undergoing a penalty (cf. I, n. 169). Already the Constitutions of the Friars Preachers, and then most of the more recent ones, are to be held as penal laws.

Although then, from its genus, an act prescribed by the rule remains indifferent, nevertheless practically, or in the concrete, violation of the rule, unless there is place for epikeia, will rarely be immune from fault because of the disorder of motive, or the common detriment, or inconstancy in purposes. Moreover a transgression from formal contempt of the rule as such, not as minimal or inopportune, will have to be charged with mortal pride. For by his profession the religious is subject to the rule, nor can he put off this subjection.

Observe that an act which is not immune from venial fault is not necessarily wholly vitiated. Cf. I, nn. 118 and 123.

— The rules which imposed it having been suppressed, subjects cannot be induced by religious Superiors in any way to make a manifestation of conscience to them (c. 530). A manifestation of conscience is a revelation of matters which lie hidden in conscience and proximately regard virtues or vices: therefore it is not a response about the external observance of the rule, nor about skill or lack of skill in praying. Subjects here seem to be understood as all who are called religious broadly, so that novices indeed, but not postulants, seem included under the name. Superiors seem to be taken as those properly such, such as Masters of novices are not. He induces to manifestation who, either openly or especially privately, exhorts subjects to manifest conscience; not he who benignly accepts a manifestation or renders it easy. An exhortation of this kind is prohibited only to Superiors, and when there is question of a manifestation to be made to themselves.

Spontaneous opening of the soul is not prohibited; indeed filial confidence is commended; and those are praised who prudently disclose doubts of conscience to Superiors. Prudently: wherefore the Code, c. 530, mentions only priest Superiors; yet it happens that intimate communication with the Superior herself is to be counselled.