The Rule of Life

33 Diocesan (Provincial) Superiors. Those who have an active and passive voice – three from each diocese (or Province) – will gather, having been called to one house by the letter of the Superior [General] concluding his term. There having spent one day of abstinence, having sung the Mass to the Holy Spirit, they will be cloistered until by secret vote they have chosen one noted for integrity, prudence, religious dis- cipline, outstanding in learning. The secretary and the discre- tus 37 will sign the certificate of the one elected by the con- sent of the greater part of the electors. All will kiss the hand of the elect as a sign of reverence and obedience. After the election, they will go to the church to sing the hymn Te Deum laudamus . If anyone [during the election process] will have been noted for his ambition, let him be perpetually declared unfit for all offices. Afterwards, an election of assistants, the Procurator General, then of the Provincials shall be held – also by secret ballot. If anything will be decreed in this meet- ing, let it be inscribed in the General Acts. 2. The Diocesan Meetings will be held every three years, for establishing some good or abolishing evil; and for [the election of] those to be sent to General Chapter, accord- ing to what was noted above. To these meetings will go the local vicars 38 of each house, along with the delegates chosen by secret vote. 3. The Local Superior will call together the members twice each week. On Fridays he will gather them to assign ade- quate penance in order to make up for their faults. Kneeling, each one will manifest his faults clearly, openly, with pious dis- position, and without excusing himself. He will humbly accept a penance imposed there. If someone is falsely accused at that time [by another], he will not respond; afterwards, meeting with the Superior he will testify to his innocence (unless he would 36 “Singuli, vel aliqui.“ This is a difficult phrase to translate, but this appears to be the sense intended. 37 Probably the one who verifies the vote. 38 The. Local Superiors were considered the vicars of the General (or later, the Provincial Superior).