The "Bride" making first vows

[Nunsuch]

7 hours ago, GraceUk said:

 In a way I don't see the point of temporary vows. Say if they were for three years could a person still leave in the middle of it. But I expect some sort of official dispensation would be required.  Rather than saying ok you can leave this afternoon.  

Temporary vows ARE for a fixed period, and one does need a dispensation if one leaves before that period is over. There is *never* a time when one can "leave this afternoon," not when one is in vows. 

[Dymphna]

On 12/6/2021 at 2:42 PM, GraceUk said:

 In a way I don't see the point of temporary vows. Say if they were for three years could a person still leave in the middle of it. But I expect some sort of official dispensation would be required.  Rather than saying ok you can leave this afternoon.  

That (leaving "in the middle of it") is really not the point of temporary vows. The point is, that after three years (in your example) the sister/brother can leave without any official process. They simply can decide not to ask for admission to permanent vows. They don't need to give reasons for it and they don't need dispensation. This can be helpful if someone feels that they are not at the right place, but shys back from starting official procedures, which e.g. can bring strong impressions of failure.

Personally, I would actually be in favour of an opportunity to stay in temporary vows forever, maybe with a yearly reneval date, as was customary in active women's orders (for completely different reasons). Not for everybody, but for women who prefer this form.

[gloriana35]

As far as I know, those in temporary vows indeed can extend this period. It is not an obligation to make final vows as soon as one is eligible. Most religious I knew made annual vows (not three years) until final profession. As a rule, the period of formation is longer than it was years ago. 

[Nunsuch]

1 hour ago, gloriana35 said:

As far as I know, those in temporary vows indeed can extend this period. It is not an obligation to make final vows as soon as one is eligible. Most religious I knew made annual vows (not three years) until final profession. As a rule, the period of formation is longer than it was years ago. 

This very much depends on the community (the length of first vows--annually or not, etc.). Canon law permits up to 9 years in temporary vows. This may be up to the candidate, the community, or mutual discernment.

[Isabella]

Don't the Daughters of Charity have annual vows that the whole community takes on the same day instead of final profession?

[gloriana35]

 

15 minutes ago, Isabella said:

Don't the Daughters of Charity have annual vows that the whole community takes on the same day instead of final profession?

Yes - but that is connected to the circumstances of their foundation (I believe that was discussed on another thread.)  There are various communities which were not established as religious Institutes, largely because that would have meant being cloistered. (The Religious Teachers Fillipini, very highly regarded in Italy, are not a religious Institute. They don't make vows in the strict sense, but a 'final oblation.') 

Incidentally - on another note - when I said, earlier, that, as far as I know, those in communities which profess final vows are not obligated to make vows as soon as they are eligible, I didn't mean they could continue temporary vows life-long. The only communities wherein one never makes final vows are those, such as the Daughters, where annual, private vows are their overall custom.