Morals of the Church
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Section — Wouters, Manual of Moral Theology

§ I. On Postulancy

1223.

I. In religions of perpetual vows, all women and, if there is question of a religion of men, lay brothers, before they are admitted to the novitiate, should complete a postulancy for at least six full months; but in religions of temporary vows, as regards the necessity and time of postulancy, the constitutions must be followed (can. 539, § 1). The major Superior can extend the prescribed time of postulancy, but not beyond another semester (can. 539, § 2).

Corollary I. Postulancy is not required for the validity of the novitiate or profession, but is merely prescribed, as is clear both from the word complete and from the fact that there is no discussion of it in can. 542, 1st.

Corollary II. The constitution of a religion of perpetual vows which prescribes a postulancy, for example, of one year or two years, can but need not be observed. It can be observed, because postulancy must be completed for at least six months; it need not, as it seems, because it is said only of religions of temporary vows that the constitutions must be followed.

II. With regard to the manner of completing postulancy, these things are prescribed:

  1. Postulancy must be completed either in the house of the novitiate or in another house of the religion in which discipline is accurately observed according to the constitutions, under the special care of an approved religious (can. 540, § 1).

  2. Postulants should wear clothing that is modest and different from the clothing of novices (can. 540, § 2).

  3. In monasteries of nuns, aspirants, while completing postulancy, are held by the law of enclosure (can. 540, § 3).

III. Postulants, before they begin the novitiate, should spend at least eight full days in spiritual exercises; and, according to the prudent judgment of the confessor, they should first make a general confession of their past life (can. 541).

IV. Besides the things set out, these things must be noted:

  1. Postulants do not enjoy spiritual privileges, nor according to the general laws suffrages after death, since can. 567, § 1 speaks only of novices.

  2. Where the Code speaks only of novices, postulants enjoy only the rights of members of the household (can. 514, § 1), for example with regard to confessions (can. 875, § 1), with regard to dispensation from fasting and abstinence (can. 1245, § 3), with regard to Extreme Unction and Viaticum (can. 514, § 4), with regard to burial (can. 1221, § 3), etc. Nor are they exempt (can. 615).

  3. The testimonials to be brought before the novitiate (p. 816) are usefully presented already before postulancy.

Postulancy