ARTICLE 3:
RELIGIOUS PROFESSION
Can.
654 By religious profession members make a public vow to observe the three
evangelical counsels. Through the ministry of the Church they are consecrated
to God, and are incorporated into the institute, with the rights and duties
defined by law.
Can.
655 Temporary profession is to be made for the period defined by the
institute's own law. This period may not be less than three years nor longer
than six years.
Can.
656 The validity of temporary profession requires:
1° that the
person making it has completed at least the eighteenth year of age;
2° that the
novitiate has been made validly;
3° that
admission has been granted, freely and in accordance with the norms of law, by
the competent Superior, after a vote of his or her council;
4° that the
profession be explicit and made without force, fear or deceit;
5° that the
profession be received by the lawful Superior, personally or through another.
Can.
657 §1 When the period of time for which the profession was made has been
completed, a religious who freely asks, and is judged suitable, is to be
admitted to a renewal of profession or to perpetual profession; otherwise, the
religious is to leave.
§2 If it
seems opportune, the period of temporary profession can be extended by the
competent Superior in accordance with the institute's own law. The total time
during which the member is bound by temporary vows may not, however, extend
beyond nine years.
§3
Perpetual profession can for a just reason be anticipated, but not by more than
three months.
Can.
658 Besides the conditions mentioned in can. 656, nn. 3, 4 and 5, and others
attached by the institute's own law, the validity of perpetual profession requires:
1° that the
person has completed at least the twenty-first year of age;
2° that
there has been previous temporary profession for at least three years, without
prejudice to the provision of can. 657 §3.
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