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Art. 3.

RELIGIOUS PROFESSION

Can. 654 By religious profession, members assume the observance of the three evangelical counsels by public vow, are consecrated to God through the ministry of the Church, and are incorporated into the institute with the rights and duties defined by law.

Can. 655 Temporary profession is to be made for a period defined in proper law; it is not to be less than three years nor longer than six.

Can. 656 For the validity of temporary profession it is required that:

1/ the person who is to make it has completed at least eighteen years of age;

2/ the novitiate has been validly completed;

3/ admission has been given freely by the competent superior with the vote of the council according to the norm of law;

4/ the profession is expressed and made without force, grave fear, or malice;

5/ the profession is received by a legitimate superior personally or through another.

Can. 657 §1. When the period for which profession was made has elapsed, a religious who freely petitions and is judged suitable is to be admitted to renewal of profession or to perpetual profession; otherwise, the religious is to depart.

§2. If it seems opportune, however, the competent superior can extend the period of temporary profession according to proper law, but in such a way that the total period in which the member is bound by temporary vows does not exceed nine years.

§3. Perpetual profession can be anticipated for a just cause, but not by more than three months.

Can. 658 In addition to the conditions mentioned in ⇒ can. 656, nn. 3, 4, and 5 and others imposed by proper law, the following are required for the validity of perpetual profession:

1/ the completion of at least twenty-one years of age;

2/ previous temporary profession of at least three years, without prejudice to the prescript of ⇒ can. 657, §3.