manner, the Prior of the Confraternity, with the advice of the master and some of the elders, may appoint a Sub-prior or Vicar, and afterwards confirm or remove him as they deem most expedient. This Sub-prior or Vicar will enjoy such power and authority as the Prior may grant him. And this same form is to be observed in the institution of the Prioress and Sub-prioress, without any difference whatever.

CHAP. XVIII.

Of the Duties of Prior and Prioress.

The Prior's duty is, to observe with great exactness whatever is written in the Rules, and to take care that it be observed by others. If he see any transgressing, or even negligent, he must charitably reprove and correct them, or should he deem it advisable, let him inform the master or director of the Confraternity, who will correct the delinquent. In like manner the office of the Prioress is to visit assiduously the church, and to excite the other sisters by word and example to a strict observance of the Rule, and to see by herself, and by ineans of others, to whom she will entrust the duty, that nothing appear in the gait, or deportment, or dress, of the sisters, which may afford matter for disedification. Above all, she is to take care that none of the sisters, especially the more youthful, form habits of familiarity with any man, no matter what his condition, unless he be a near relative of the sister, and also of good life and unblemished character.

CHAP. XIX.

Of the Correction of the Brothers and Sisters.

If there be a report that any of the members has contracted a suspicious familiarity with a person of a different sex, and being thrice admonished, does not appear amended, let him be excluded for a time from the chapter, and also from the company of the brothers. And if that do not correct him, then, with the advice of the discreets or elders, he is to be publicly expelled from the Confraternity; neither is he to be any more admitted unless in the opinion of all the brothers he is fully amended.

Moreover, if any should use opprobrious expressions, derogatory to the character of another, or should strike another out of anger, or go to a prohibited place, or show any disobedience whatever, or be found to tell a deliberate lie to his superior, he is to be punished more or less according to the condition of the person and the nature of the case, by a fast on bread and water, or exclusion from the chapter, as also from the society of the other brothers.

Likewise, if any should commit a mortal crime, he is to be punished according to the judgment of the majority of the professed brothers of the place, more or less severely according to the condition of the delinquent and the grievousness of the crime, in such a way, however, that his punishment may be a warning to others. And if he refuse to undergo the punishment, let him, with the advice of the discreets, be expelled the Confra

ternity. The same we require to be observed in every point with regard to the correction of the sisters.

CHAP. XX.

Of the Congregation of the Brothers and Sisters, and the appointment of their Master or Director.

Once every month on a certain day and hour, to be named by the Master or his Vicar, all the brothers of the Confraternity are to meet in the Dominican church to hear the word of God and assist at Mass if the hour be suitable. Then the Master is to read the rule and explain it to them; he is to inform them of the business to be transacted; and lastly, he is to correct the negligent, as charity may suggest, not capriciously, but in conformity with the rule or form of living. The first Friday of every month, the sisters are to assemble in the said Dominican church to hear the word of God and assist at Mass. To whom also the Master is to read and explain the rules, and correct whatever is amiss in them. We order, moreover, that in each city or town, where there are brothers and sisters of the third order, they must have for Master or Director some prudent Priest of the order of St. Dominick, whom they have asked of the General or Provincial of said order, or whom the General or Provincial will appoint for them. We also will and ordain that the brothers and sisters of this third order shall in all

places be subject, so far as regards their way and form of living, to the direction and correction of the aforesaid General and Provincial, the better to secure their permanence and increase.*

CHAP. XXI.

Of the Dispensation to be granted when a reasonable cause occurs.

The Prior of the Confraternity can dispense with the brothers, the Prioress with the sisters, and the Master or Director appointed over them, with both, in abstinences, fasts, and other austerities contained in the previous chapters, as often as they shall see a lawful and sufficient cause.

CHAP. XXII.

Of the Obligation of this Rule or Form of Life.

Lastly, in conformity with the constitution of the order of Brothers Preachers, we will and ordain that nothing contained in this rule or form of life,

* As was previously remarked, the Tertiaries are subject to the Bishops and Parish Priests in regard to the sacraments, to burial, and to the payment of ecclesiastical dues ; but in regard to their internal government, the forming of chapters, the observance of rules, they are wholly dependant on the Provincial or his delegate.

In places where there are no Dominicans, the head of the order is to depute some Secular or Regular Priest to act as Master or Director; and where no such appointment has been made, the Confessor is always to be considered the delegate.

except the divine precepts and commandments of the Church, shall oblige the brothers and sisters under any sin whatever, but merely under obligation of undergoing the punishment annexed to their violation. Which punishment, when it is imposed by the Master or Prelate, is to be humbly and promptly received, and performed by the transgressing brother or sister, through the grace of our Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ, who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, lives and reigns one God, world without end. Amen.

A PARTICULAR RUBRICK.

Of the manner and order of receiving to the Habit, the Brothers and Sisters of the Order of Penance of St. Dominick, as it is generally observed.

Be it known, that after the person to be received has been carefully examined by the professed Brothers of the said order, and received and accepted by the Master of the said Confraternity, according to the rule and its explanation, then, on the day of the ordinary chapter, which is to be held once a month, or on some other day appointed by the Master, the Master, or some other Dominican Priest delegated by him, in the presence of other Fathers of the order, and of any respectable persons who are willing to assist, is to stand before the altar, with his face towards the people, two lighted candles being placed on the altar, and the habit lying on