187. Christian Superiors, according to the teaching of Christ our humble Lord,

should not resemble the princes of the Gentiles who lord it over their subjects (cf. Mt. 20:26-28); but on the contrary, the greater burden they bear on their shoulders, the more they ought to humble themselves and to reflect that, whereas, other Friars are bound to obey their Ministers, the Ministers themselves should obey all the brethren. The General Chapter which elects them lays it upon them by obedience to serve and minister to the Friars in all things, especially in their spiritual needs, after the example of Christ Who came to serve and minister to us and to lay down His life for us (cf. Jn. 10:7-18). We therefore exhort all our Ministers to be the ministers and servants of all their brethren; this they will be, if in accordance with the teaching of our Seraphic Father, they administer spirit and life to their subjects by word and example.

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188. In every election the Friars shall proceed purely, simply, holy, and canonically. Let them endeavor, according to the counsel of Christ, our Gracious Lord, when invited to His marriage feast, to take the lowest place with Him (cf. Lk. 14:8), rather than to take the place with Lucifer, remembering that the last shall be first and the first last (cf. Mt. 20:16). Let them shun dignities as Christ did, and accept them only when, like Aaron, they are called by God through Holy Obedience (cf. Ex. 29:4).

 

189. The General Chapter is the highest governing body of the community. The General Chapter has the power to elect the General Minister and the General Definitory. It also possesses the ability to change these Constitutions and create Norms for daily life. Any changes to the Constitutions or Norms or the creation of Norms must be in complete compliance with and non-contradictory to the Rule, Testament, life of Saint Francis as well as the life of the early Capuchins and their first Constitutions.

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190. The General Definitory consists of the Minister General, the Vicar General and three Consulters. Because of the nature of the Priestly Orders of our Friars the General and Vicar must be Priests while the consulters may be Religious Brothers. (Voting Procedures and those items needing consent and/or counsel of the Definitory can be found in Norm VIII)

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191. It is ordained that the General Chapter is to be held every three years, about the Feast of Pentecost, as this time is most fitting for so important a matter and as is indicated by our Seraphic Father (cf. R.B. 11).

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192. As a sign of humility and to show sincere detachment from every kind of ambition, the General Minister, the Vicar General and Consultors shall spontaneously resign their offices and all authority into the hands of the Friars gathered at Chapter. The Minister General presides over the Chapter.

193. All Friars in Solemn Vows have the right to vote in General Chapters. All offices and changes to the Constitutions require a two-thirds vote of the Friars. All offices are open to any Friar who has been Solemnly Professed for a minimum of seven years.

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194. Any elections and changes to the Constitutions are subject to approval by our benevolent Ordinary.

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195. Should the Father General die during his office it is ordained that the Vicar General shall become the Commissary General. In the case of vacancy or death, the first Definitor shall take the place of the Vicar General, and so it shall be with each office, the next taking the place of the one before him.

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196. When the terms of the Minister General and Minister Provincial have expired they shall remain free from office for at least a year unless extraordinary circumstances require otherwise.

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197. In order to provide for a secure and simple method of removing the General from office if at any time it should appear he is not qualified, and in accordance with the wish of Saint Francis expressed in the Rule (cf. R.B. 11), the first three Definitors along with the Vicar General, having probable and sufficient evidence as to the General Minister’s unfitness, can and must convoke the Friars to a General Chapter when this proves advisable. At this Chapter they shall discuss the question of his removal from, or retention in, office. Should the General Minister, in any way, endeavor to prevent the convocation of the Chapter we determine that he shall be “ipso facto” deprived of his office. The Vicar General and Definitors must have complete approval of our Benevolent Ordinary.

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198. The General Minister, Vicar and Definitors may be re-elected to the same office twice for no more than nine years in total. *Elections and terms of Office will not be implemented until there are at least twelve Friars in perpetual vows for more than seven years.

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199. “‘I did not come to be served’ (Mt. 20:28), Our Lord tells us. Those who are put in charge of others should be no prouder of their office than they had been appointed to wash the feet of their brothers. They should be no more upset at the loss of their authority than they would be if they were deprived of the task of washing feet. The more they are upset, the greater the risk they incur to their souls” (Admonitions 4).

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200. “Blessed the religious who has no more regard for himself when people praise him and make much of him than when they despise and revile him and say that he is ignorant. What a man is before God, that he is and no more. Woe to that religious who, after he has been put in a position of authority by others, is not anxious to leave it of his own free will. On the other hand, blessed is that religious who is elected to office against his will but always wants to be subject to others.” (Admonitions 20).

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201. During the celebration of the General Chapter continual and fervent prayers shall be offered by all Friars of our Congregation. They shall beseech the Divine Clemency to dispose all our affairs according to His good pleasure, to the praise and glory of His Majesty and the welfare of the Holy Church.

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202. The regulations for the Provincial Chapters and other matters concerning a province shall be decided by the General Chapter as we develop into provinces.

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203. The work of the General Definitory is as follows:

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    a) The Minister General, with the consultation of the Definitory, assigns Friars as Guardians, Friary               Vicars and the Friars to Friaries.

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    b) The Minister General, with two-thirds consent of the General Definitory, opens or suppresses   

         Friaries.

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      c) The Minister General, with the consultation of the General Definitory, assigns Friars to all

          formation positions. (For the position of Director of Priestly Formation, the Minister General and

          the Definitory shall obtain approval of our Benevolent Ordinary)

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      d) The Minister General, with the consultation of the General Definitory, assigns Friars to any

          official position within the Order.

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      e) The Minister General and the General Definitory, in counsel together, maintain the regular

          discipline of the life of the Friars. 

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204. The day–to-day prayer and apostolic life of the Friaries are managed by the Guardian of a Friary and his Vicar. The Guardians shall see to it that all the Friars are consulted on serious decisions and kept up to date with all that is necessary for them to know. In order to keep better order and discipline the Guardians shall have monthly Friary Chapters. The apostolic schedule, communal matters of correction, and other matters shall be discussed as a community.