Decree 10: “Time of Last Vows,” General Congregation 32 (1975)

The following decree provides some clarifications as to when a Jesuit would make his final vows. In doing so, it makes changes to policies set forth by both the 12th General Congregation and the 31st General Congregation.

For more from the 32nd General Congregation of the Society of Jesus, please consult this page.

 

 

1.     As to decree 11, of the 31st General Congregation:

a. n. 2, 6°, is abrogated.

b. n. 2, 7°, shall be revised to read: “At least ten full years in the Society, including the years spent in initial studies of philosophy and theology in the Society.”

c. n. 2, 8°, is abrogated.

d. n. 6, 3°, shall be revised to read: “If they are temporal coadjutors, they have completed ten years of religious life and have made the tertianship required by Decree 42 of the 30th General Congregation; if they are approved scholastics, they have completed the length of time in the Society prescribed in n. 1.b above.”

2.     In the case of scholastics, ordination to the priesthood (which, generally, is not to be deferred more than three years after studies of theology are completed) and the tertianship prescribed in the Constitutions must precede final vows.

3.     The 9th Decree of the 12th General Congregation is abrogated; but the days on which final vows have traditionally been pronounced in the Society are commended anew.

 

 

Original Source (English translation):

Jesuit Life & Mission Today: The Decrees & Accompanying Documents of the 31st35th General Congregations of the Society of Jesus, ed. John W. Padberg. St. Louis, Mo.: Institute of Jesuit Sources, 2009, General Congregation 32, Decree 10, “Time of Last Vows,” pg. 336 [196–198].