Chapter 2
Source: archive.org
(1) Members of the Third Order shall avoid expensive display in their dress and ornaments, and shall observe—each according to his state of life—the rule of moderation.
(2) They shall be careful to remain away from frivolous stage-plays and dances; as also from dissolute parties.
(3) They shall be temperate in eating and drinking, and they shall neither sit down to table nor rise from it without first devoutly and gratefully invoking God.
(4) They shall fast on the vigils of the feasts of the Immaculate Conception and of St. Francis: those will merit great praise who, in addition, in accordance with the old rule of the Tertiaries, either fast on Friday or abstain from flesh meat on Wednesday. 1
(5) Members shall confess their sins every month, and shall also approach the holy table monthly.
(6) Tertiaries, who are ecclesiastics, inasmuch as they read the Psalms daily, need do no more under this heading. Lay persons who recite neither the canonical hours nor the Office of the Blessed Virgin, commonly known as the Little Office, must say the Lord’s Prayer, the “Hail Mary,” and the “Glory be to the Father, etc.,” twelve times a day, unless they are prevented from doing so by ill-health.
(7) Those who have to make wills should settle their temporal affairs in time.
(8) In their home life they should strive to lead others by their example, to promote pious practices and all that is good. Let them not allow to be brought into their houses, or read by those who are under their care, any books or papers from which any injury to virtue can be feared.
(9) Let them diligently exercise kindness and charity among themselves and towards others, and whenever they can do so they should strive to settle quarrels.
(10) Let them never take an oath except in case of necessity. They shall never say anything indecent nor utter vulgar jokes. They shall examine their consciences every night as to whether they have perchance done anything of the kind; if they have, let them do penance for the fault. 2
(11) Those who can conveniently do so, should assist daily at Mass. All shall attend the monthly meetings called by the Prefect.
(12) They shall contribute—each according to his means—to a common fund, from which the poorer members of the Association may be relieved, especially in case of sickness, or from which provision may be made for the dignity of divine worship.
(13) The Prefects shall either visit sick members in person, or send some one to perform the offices of charity. When the sickness is serious, they shall admonish and urge the sick person to give early attention to everything that concerns the salvation of his soul.
(14) At the funeral of a deceased member the resident and visiting members should assemble and say a third of the prayers to Mary instituted by St. Dominic—that is, the Rosary—for the heavenly comfort of the dead person. And priests should pray at Mass, laymen, if possible, after the reception of the Holy Eucharist, for the eternal rest of their deceased brother.