The Law of Secular Institutes 

Art. I - Societies, clerical or lay, whose members make profession of the evangelical counsels, living in a secular condition for the purpose of Christian perfection and full apostolate shall be distinguished from all other associations (C.I.C. Pars Tertia, Lib. II ) by the name of Institutes or Secular Institutes and shall be governed by this present Apostolic Constitution. 

Art. II - § 1. Not having the three public religious vows (canons 1308 1 and 488, 1) and being under no obligation to lead the canonical common life under the same roof (canons 487 and 673 ff.), Secular Institutes: 

1. In law, normally, neither are nor, properly speaking, can be called Religious Orders or Congregations (canons 487 and 488, 1) or Societies of Common Life (c. 673, 1); 

2. They are not bound by the legislation made for Religious Orders or Congregations as such: nor can they follow it except in cases where, by way of exception, some point of this legislation - in particular legislation for Societies without public vows - is lawfully adapted and applied to them. 

§ 2. Without prejudice to existing common relevant canonical norms, Institutes are governed by these prescriptions as their own proper law framed in view of their proper natural conditions: 

1. The general norms of this Apostolic Constitution as being the proper Statute of all Secular Institutes. 

2. Norms laid down from time to time by the Sacred Congregation for Religious as need arises and in the light of experience, whether by way of interpreting the Constitution applying it, or improving upon it in general or in given cases. 

3. Particular Constitutions approved in accordance with Articles V ­ VIII (below) which prudently adapt the general norms of law and the particular norms described above (nos. 1, 2) to the various purposes, needs and circumstances of each Institute. 

Art. III - § 1. For canonical establishment as a Secular Institute a Pious Association, over and above the common canonical requirements of Pious Associations must have the following distinctive features: 

§ 2. In respect of their consecration of life and profession of Christian perfection: besides the exercises of piety and self-denial which are a necessary part of the search for perfection of Christian life, those who desire to be formal members in the strict sense of the word, of a Secular Institute, must in fact tend to this perfection in the distinctive ways here specified: 

1. By profession made before God of celibacy and perfect chastity in the form of a vow, oath, or consecration binding in conscience, according to the norms of the Constitutions. 

2. By a vow or promise of obedience, a permanent bond enabling them to devote themselves entirely to God and works of charity or apostolate and to be constantly, in all they do, subject to and under the moral guidance of Superiors in accordance with their Constitutions. 

3. By a vow or promise of poverty whereby their use of temporal goods is not free but defined and limited in accordance with the Constitutions. 

§ 3. In respect of the incorporation of members and the bond thereby created: the bond of union between a Secular Institute and those who are in the strict sense of the word its members must be: 

1. Stable as laid down by the Constitutions, either perpetual or temporary to be renewed at the lapse of a specified period (c.488, l ); 

2 Mutual and full so that, in the way specified by the Constitutions, the member hands himself over completely to the Institute and the Institute looks after the member and is responsible for him. 

§ 4. In respect of common residences or houses: Secular Institutes while not requiring canonical common life, or life under one roof (Art. II, l ) must, as need or practical utility requires, have one or more houses, namely: 

1. Residence for Superiors, especially General or Regional. 

2. A house or houses where members in initial and final training may live or meet or hold retreats and similar gatherings. 

3. A house or houses for members who, because of illness or circumstances, cannot look after themselves or who ought not to live on their own or in lodgings. 

Art. IV - § 1. The point of reference for the government and care of Secular Institutes is the Sacred Congregation for Religious without prejudice to the rights of the Sacred Congregation for the spread of the faith, as provided in Canon 252 § 3, in respect of Societies and Seminaries for Mission work. 

§ 2. Associations which are of a different nature from those described in Art. I or which are not wholly committed to the aim and object there set out, as also those which lack any of the features listed in Articles I and III of this Apostolic Constitution, are subject to the legislation laid down for Associations of the Faithful in canons 684ff. and come under the Sacred Congregation of the Council - without prejudice to the provisions of c. 252 § 3 for Mission territories. 

Art. V - § 1. Secular Institutes may be founded and given canonical existence (as in Canon100 1 and 2) by Bishops, but not by Vicars Capitular or Vicars General. 

 § 2. Such foundations should not be made or permitted without previous consultation of the Sacred Congregation for Religious in accordance with c. 492 and with Art. VI here following: 

Art. VI - § 1. The information to be sent to the Sacred Congregation when applying for permission to make a foundation should follow the lines of the information sent when a diocesan Congregation or Society of Common Life is to be set up. With the variations arising from the nature of the case as indicated from time to time by the same Sacred Congregation. 

 § 2. The permission is an endorsement in the given case of the Bishop's right to make such foundations. Particulars of the foundation should be sent to Rome for registration. 

Art. VII - § 1. By approval or decree of praise from the Holy See a Secular Institute becomes an Institute of pontifical right (c. 488, 3; 673 2). 

 § 2. The requirements for such approval are, in general, the same as for Congregations or Societies of Common Life (nos. 6 ff.). The variations arising from the nature of the case are indicated from time to time by the Congregation. 

 § 3. Approval of the Constitutions of the Institute is given in stages: a first approval, a further approval where opportune and a definitive approval. The procedure is as follows: 

1. First discussion at a meeting of the Consultors Commission under the Chairmanship of the Cardinal Secretary of the Congregation or his deputy - the text presented and submitted with supportive arguments by at-least one Consultor. 

2. A plenary meeting of the Sacred Congregation under the chairmanship of the Cardinal Prefect for detailed reconsideration and decision. Expert Consultors, including, where necessary or opportune, selected specialists, take part in this meeting. 

3. The Cardinal Prefect or the Secretary at a personal Audience submits the decision to the supreme authority of the Sovereign Pontiff. 

Art. VIII - In addition to their specific Secular Institute legislation, Institutes come under the jurisdiction of Local Ordinaries in accordance with the canons relevant to non-exempt Congregations or Societies of Common Life. 

Art. IX - The structure of responsibilities and authority within the Institutes may follow the model of Religious and Societies of Common Life, due allowance made (and approved by the Sacred Congregation) for the nature, purposes and circumstances of each. 

Art. X - The rights and obligations of Institutes already founded, and approved by Bishops (after consultation of the Holy See) or by the Holy See itself, are not affected by this Apostolic Constitution. 

To this present document we give the full force of our Apostolic Authority. 

Rome, St. Peter's, February 2, feast of the Purification of our Lady, 1947, the eighth of our pontificate. 

PIUS PP. XII