I. FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTION OF LAY DOMINICANS
Laity in the
Church
1. Among the
disciples of Christ, there are men and women who live in the world,
participating actively through Baptism and Confirmation in the Royal, Priestly
and Prophetic Mission of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and have as their vocation to
shine forth the presence of Christ in the heart of humanity in such a way that
through them "the divine message of salvation be known and accepted by all
men" (Apost. Act. #4,3).
Dominican Laity
2. Some
among them, moved by the Holy Spirit to live according to the spirit and
charism of Saint Dominic, are incorporated into the Dominican Order through a
special commitment in accordance with their own statutes.
3. These
seculars form communities and constitute one Dominican Family with other groups
of the Order (LCO. #141).
Specific
Character of Dominican Laity
4. They are
characterized by a particular spirituality and by dedication to the service of
God and neighbor in the Church and, in as much as they are members of the Order
participate in its apostolic mission through prayer, study and preaching in
accordance with the state of the laity.
Apostolic Mission
5. Supported by
fraternal communion and the example of St. Dominic, St. Catherine and others
who have influenced us and continue to influence us in the life of the Order
and of the Church, they give testimony to their faith, conscious of the church
of their time and in this way they are of service to Truth.
6. Taking into
account the principal objectives of the contemporary apostolate of the Church
they are dedicated in a special way, with authentic mercy, to remedying the
different forms of suffering, to the defense of freedom, to justice and peace.
7. Animated by
the particular charism of the Order they know that their apostolic mission
springs from the abundance of contemplation.
II. LIFE OF THE
FRATERNITIES
Life of the
Fraternities
8. They have to
make an effort to live an authentic fraternal communion according to the spirit
ofthe beatitudes which will always be manifested in acts of mercy and
participation in good works among members of the fraternities, above all, with
the poor and infirm and through prayer for the dead in such a way that "all
be of one heart and one soul" (Act. #4,32).
9. The members
of the fraternities collaborating with all their heart in the apostolate of
thebrothers and sisters of the Order will participate actively in the life of
the Church being always available to cooperate with other apostolic groups.
10. To progress
in the fulfillment of their inseparably contemplative and apostolic vocation,
the laity of St. Dominic have recourse to the following sources:
(a) listening
to the Word of God and the reading of Scripture, especially the New Testament;
(b) active
participation in the celebration of the liturgy and in the daily Eucharist if
possible;
(c) have
frequent recourse to the Sacrament of Reconciliation;
(d) conversion
of heart through the spirit and practice of evangelical penance;
(e) liturgical
prayer in union with all the Dominican Family, also private prayer, meditation
and the rosary;
(f) assiduous
study of revealed truth and constant reflection, in the light of faith, on
contemporary problems;
(g) devotion
to the Virgin Mary, in accordance with the tradition of the Order, like that of
Our Father St. Dominic and of St. Catherine;
Formation
11. Its
object is to form adults in the Faith who are capable of receiving, celebrating
and proclaiming the Word of God. With this end in view each province will
establish a program:
(a) for
formation in stages for new members;
(b) for
permanent formation for those of its members, including those who find
themselves isolated.
12. A Dominican
must prepare himself or herself to preach the Word of God. This preaching is
the exercise of the prophetic function of the baptized and strengthened by the
Sacrament of Confirmation. In the present world the preaching of the Word of
God implies especially the defense of human dignity. Promotion of the unity of
christians and dialogue with non-christians and non-believers are part of the
Dominican vocation.
13. The
principal sources of Dominican formation are:
- the Word of
God and theological reflection,
- liturgical
prayer,
- the history
and tradition of the Order,
- contemporary
documents of the Church and of the Order,
- study of the
signs of the times.
Profession or
Commitment
14. In order to
be incorporated into the Order, the laity must make profession or commitment,
which consists of the formal promise to live according to the spirit of St.
Dominic and in accordance with the way of life indicated in their own Statutes.
This profession
or commitment can be temporal or perpetual.
It will be made
through this formula or another that is substantially the same:
In honor of God
all powerful, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and of the Blessed Virgin Mary and
Saint Dominic, I (Full Name), before you prior/prioress (or president) of the
fraternity, and of you (Name), representing the Master of the Order of
Preachers, promise to live according to the Statutes of the Laity of Saint
Dominic (for three years or for life).
III. STRUCTURE
AND GOVERNMENT
15. The
fraternity of the special source through which the commitment of each one is
nourished and sustained in his/her vocation. The rhythm of meetings will vary
according to the fraternities. Assiduous participation at these meetings gives
testimony of the fidelity of each one.
16. The
admission of new members will be in accordance with the guidelines established
in theDirectory where conditions and stages of admission are explained. The Lay
person responsible for the Fraternity, after the decisive vote of the Council,
proceeds with the religious promoter to receive the candidate in accordance
with the way prescribed by the Directory.
17. After a time
of experience and of testing determined by the Directory and with the vote of
the Council of the fraternity, the person responsible will receive with the
religious promoter the temporal or perpetual profession of the candidate.
Jurisdiction of
the Order and Autonomy of the Fraternities
18. The
fraternities are under the jurisdiction of the Order; nevertheless, they enjoy
the special autonomy of seculars, governing themselves.
Universal Level
of the Order
19. (a) The
Master of the Order as successor of St. Dominic and the head of the Dominican
Family, presides over all the fraternities throughout the world. It is his task
to maintain intact the Dominican spirit, to establish practical rules according
to the demands of the circumstances of time and place and to promote the
spiritual good and apostolic zeal of members.
(b) The promoter
general represents the Master of the Order in all fraternities and transmits to
the Master of the Order and to the General Chapter the proposals that the
fraternities themselves present.
Provincial Level
20. (a) The
Prior Provincial presides over the fraternities within the territorial limits
of theprovince and with the consent of the Ordinary of the place, he erects new
fraternities.
(b) The
Provincial Promoter, brother or sister, represents the Provincial Prior and is
an ex officio member of the Provincial Council of the Laity. He/she is
appointed by the Provincial Chapter or by the Prior Provincial with his
council, having listened to the Provincial Council of the Laity.
(c) A Provincial
Council of Lay Dominicans is to be established within the territory of the
Province, whose members are elected by the fraternities and who function
according to the norms of their particular directory. This council will elect
the Provincial President of the Laity.
Local Fraternity
Level
21. (a) The
local fraternity is governed by the president with his/her council; these are
fullyresponsible for the government and administration of the fraternity.
(b) The council
of the fraternity is elected in accordance with common law and for the
determined time in the particular directory. The council will elect the
president from among its members.
(c) The
religious promoter (brother or sister) must give doctrinal and spiritual
assistance. He/she is appointed by tile Prior Promoter and the local council of
the Laity.
National and
International Council
22. (a) When
there are different provinces in the territory of the same country a national
council can be established, according to the norms established in the
particular directory.
(b) In the same
way an international council, if it is deemed useful, after consulting with the
entire Dominican Laity, may be set up.
23. The
councilors of the fraternities can send petitions and suggestions to the
provincial chapter of the friars; the provincial and national councils of the
Laity can present them to the General Chapter.
It is
recommended that Lay representatives be invited to and welcomed at the above
Chapters to deal with matters pertaining to them.
Statutes of the
Fraternities
24. The Laws by
which the Dominican Laity are governed are as follows:
(a) The
fundamental Rule of the Laity (Fundamental Constitutions, norms of life and
government of the fraternities).
(b) The
general declaration of the Master of the Order and General Chapters.
(c) Special
Directories.
Approved: ROME, January 28, 1987, feast of St.
Thomas Aquinas
(Sgd.) Fr.
DAMIAN BYRNE, OP
Master of the Order
REGULA FRATERNITATUM LAICALIUM
SANCTI DOMINICI
I. Constitutio fundamentalis Laicatus dominicani
De
laicis in Ecclesia
1.
Inter Christi discipulos, viri et mulieres in saeculo degentes, virtute
Baptismatis et confirmationis, muneris prophetici, sacerdotalis et regalis
Domini nostri Iesu Christi participes facti sunt. Ad hoc vocantur ut Christi
praesentiam in medio populorum vividam reddant et “divinum salutis nuntium ab
universis hominibus ubique terrarum congnoscatur et accipiatur” (Apost.
Act. 4, 3).
De
laicatu dominicano
2.
Aliqui vero, Spiritus Sancti motione ducti ad vitam secundum sancti Dominici
spiritum et charisma adimplendam, Ordini incorporantur speciali promissione,
secundum statuta ipsis propria.
De Dominica Familia
3.
In communitatibus coadunantur et cum aliis coetibus Ordinis unam familiam
constituunt (cf. LCO, 141).
De specifico caractere laicatus dominicani
4.
Peculiari proinde modo signantur tum in propria vita spirituali, cum in
servitio Dei et proximi in Ecclesia. Ut membra Ordinis, eius missionem
apostolicam participant, studio, oratione et praedicatione secundum propriam
laicorum conditionem.
De
missione apostolica
5.
Ad exemplum S. Dominici, S. Catharinae Senensis et maiorum nostrorum qui vitam
Ordinis et Ecclesiae illustraverunt, ipsi communione fraterna roborati, in
primis de propria fide testimonium reddunt, hominum huius temporis necessitates
audiunt et veritati serviunt.
6.
Apostolatus Ecclesiae hodierni fines praecipuos sedulo considerant, speciali
modo impulsi ad misericordiam veram erga omnes anxietates manifestandam, ad
libertatem propugnandam, ad iustitiam et pacem promovendam.
7. Charismate Ordinis inspirati, memores sunt apostolicam actionem ex abundantia contemplationis procedere.
II.
De vita fraternitatum
De
vita fraternitatum
8.
In vera communione fraterna ad mentem beatitudinum pro viribus vivant, quam
etiam in qualibet circumstantia exprimant opera misericordiae exercendo et quae
sua sunt impertiendo inter sodales fraternitatum, pauperes praesertim et
infirmos; suffragia pro defunctis offerendo; ita ut omnibus sit semper cor unum
et anima una in Deo (Act., 4, 32).
9.
Cum fratribus et sororibus Ordinis in apostolatu partem capientes, sodales
fraternitatum vitam Ecclesiae actuose participent, semper parati ut operam dent
cum aliis consociationibus apostolicis.
10. Fontes praecipui e quibus laici S. Dominici vires hauriunt ad
proficiendum in propria vocatione, quae coniunctissime contemplativa est simul
et apostolica, hi sunt:
a. Divini verbi
auscultatio et sacrae Scripturae lectio, praesertim Novi Testamenti.
b. Quotidiana, quatenus possibilis
sit, celebratio liturgica et sacrificii eucharistici participation.
c. Reconciliationis
sacramentum frequens celebratio.
d. Liturgiae horarum
celebratio una cum universa Familia Dominicana, necnon oratio in privato, sicut
meditatio et mariale rosarium.
e. Conversio cordis
iuxta spiritum et praxim paenitentiae evangelicae.
f. Studium
assiduum veritatis revelatae et constans cogitatio de problematibus huius
temporis sub lumine fidei.
g. Devotio erga beatam
Virginem Mariam, secundum traditionem Ordinis, erga sanctum Dominicum patrem
nostrum et sanctam Catharinam Senensem.
h. Spirituales
recollectiones periodicae.
De formatione
11.
Dominicanae formationis propositum est veros adultos in fide praebere ita ut
apti sint ad verbum Dei accipiendum, celebrandum et proclamandum. Cuique
Provinciae competit rationem conficere:
a. sive
formationis progressivae pro incipientibus.
b. sive
formationis permanentis pro omnibus, etiam pro separatis membris.
12.
Quilibet dominicanus aptus esse debet ad verbum Dei praedicandum. In hac
praedicatione exercetur munus propheticum christiani baptizati et Sacramento
Confirmationis roborati. In mundo hodierno verbi Dei praedicatio modo speciali
sese extendere debet ad humanae personae dignitatem simulque vitam atque
familiam propugnandam. Christianorum unitatem simul ac dialogum cum non
christianis et non credentibus promovere ad dominicam vocationem pertinet.
13.
Fontes praecipui ad dominicanam formationem perficiendam hi sunt:
a. Verbum
Dei et theologica cogitatio.
b. Oratio
liturgica.
c. Historia
et traditio Ordinis.
d. Documenta
recentiora Ecclesiae et Ordinis.
e. Scientia
signorum temporum.
Professio
seu promissio
14.
Ut Ordini incorporentur, sodales tenentur professionem emittere, seu
promissionem qua formaliter promittunt secundum spiritum S. Dominici et modum
vivendi a Regula praescriptum vitam ducere.
Professio vel promissio ad tempus est aut perpetua.
In professione emittenda sequens aut similis quoad substantiam formula adhibeatur:
“Ad
honorem Dei omnipotentis Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti, et Beatae Mariae
Virginis et S. Dominici, ego N.N., coram vobis N.N., priore (praesidente) huius
fraternitatis et N.N., adsistente, vice Magistri Ordinis Fratrum Praedicatorum,
promitto me velle vivere secundum Regulam Laicorum S. Dominici (per triennium)
(per totam vitam)”.
III.
De structura et regimine fraternitatum
Fraternitas
est medium idoneum ad dedicationem cuiuscumque in propria vocatione nutriendam
et augendam. Periodicitas coadunationum diversa est secundum fraternitates.
Assiduitas cuiusvis sodalis propriam fidelitatem demonstrat.
16.
Candidatorum admissio, servatis dispositionibus a Directorio praescriptis
quantum ad conditionem personarum et tempus admissionis, committitur
responsabili laicali qui (quae) praehabita votatione decisiva consilii
fraternitatis, ad receptionem candidati, ritu a Directorio determinato, cum
adsistente religioso, procedit.
17.
Post tempus probationis a Directorio determinatum et accedente voto Consilii
fraternitatis, responsabilis laicalis accipit, simul cum adsistente religioso,
professionem ad tempus vel perpetuam.
De
iurisdictione Ordinis et fraternitatum autonomia
18.
Fraternitates laicorum subsunt iurisdictioni Ordinis; illa tamen autonomia
gaudent, laicis propria, qua seipsas gubernent.
In
universo Ordine
19.
a. Magister Ordinis, qua S. Dominici successor et totius familiae dominicanae
caput, praeest omnibus fraternitatibus in mundo. Ipsi competit integrum
spiritum Ordinis in illis servare, normas statuere practicas pro opportunitate
temporum et locorum et promovere bonum spirituale et zelum apostolicum sodalium
b.
Promotor generalis vices gerit Magistri Ordinis pro omnibus fraternitatibus,
quorum vota praesentat Magistro vel Capitulo Generali.
In
Provinciis
20.
a. Prior provincialis praeest fraternitatibus intra limites territorii suae
provinciae ac, de consensus Ordinarii loci, novas fraternitates erigit.
b.
Promotor provincialis (frater aut soror) vices gerit prioris provincialis et
pleno iure participat Consilium provinciale laicorum.
Ipse
nominatur a Capitulo provinciali vel a priore provinciali cum suo consilio,
audito prius Consilio provinciali laicorum S. Dominici.
c.
In territorio Provinciae instituatur Consilium provinciale laicorum, quorum
membra eliguntur a fraternitatibus et regulatur iuxta normas a Directorio
definitas.Tali Consilio competit eligere Praesidem provincialem.
In fraternitatibus
21.
a) Fraternitas localis gubernatur a praeside cum suo consilio, qui plenam
responsabilitatem moderationis et administrationis assumunt.
b)
Consilium eligitur ad tempus et secundum modum a Directoriis particularibus
statutum. Praeses eligitur a consiliariis inter membra Consilii.
c)
Adsistens religiosus (frater aut soror) adiuvat sodales in materia doctrinali
et vita spirituali. Ipse nominatur a priore provinciali, auditis prius
promotore provinciali et Consilio locali laicorum.
De
Consilio nationali et internationali
22.
a. Ubi adsunt plures Ordinis provinciae in eodem ambitu nationali, institui
potest Consilium nationale, secundum normas a Directoriis particularibus
statutas.
b.
Simili modo exstare potest Consilium internationale, si tamen opportunum
videatur, consultatis fraternitatibus totius Ordinis.
23.
Consilia fraternitatum vota et petitiones ad Capitulum provinciale fratrum
Praedicatorum mittere possunt; Consilia provincialia et nationalia vero ad
Capitulum Generale. Ad ista capitula aliqui responsabiles fraternitatum
libenter invitentur ad materias tractandas quae laicios spectant.
Statuta
fraternitatum
24. Statuta
propria fraternitatum laicalium sancti Dominici sunt:
a. Regula
fraternitatum (Constitutio fundamentalis laicatus OP, normae vitae et regimen
fraternitatum)
b. Declarationes
generales, seu Magistri Ordinis, seu Capituli Generalis.
c. Directoria
particularia
Ad
opus legislativum de laicalibus Fraternitatibus Sancti Dominici complendum
«Delarationes generales Regulae Fraternitatum laicalium Sancti Dominici»
auctoritate qua fungimur adprobamus atque promulgamus. Sic facilius atque
maiore cum fructu spirituali observantia Regulae consequi poterit.
Datum
Romae, die 16 mensis februarii, 1987
Fr.
Damian Byrne, O.P.
Magister
Ordinis
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