The last of five decrees concerning Jesuit formation, the twelfth decree from the 31st General Congregation addressed the practicalities of the ceremonies for a Jesuit’s vows. The delegates, in the following document, leave it to the newly elected superior general to draft “an Ordination for the whole Society” that would allow for “experimentation” at different vow ceremonies.
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1. The 31st General Congregation entrusts to Father General the task of drafting an Ordination for the whole Society, at least for the purpose of experimentation, concerning:
a. concelebration at the pronouncing of last vows;
b. the use of the vernacular in the pronouncing of first vows;
c. the presence of at least close relatives at the pronouncing of first vows, and similar details.
Original Source (English translation):
Jesuit Life & Mission Today: The Decrees & Accompanying Documents of the 31st–35th General Congregations of the Society of Jesus, ed. John W. Padberg. St. Louis, Mo.: Institute of Jesuit Sources, 2009, General Congregation 31, Decree 12, “The Vow Ceremony,” pg. 93 [201].