The Rule

The first Rule of the members of this Society was probably written by Fr. Didacus de Victoria, O.P., a most eminent man, and was approved by Petrus Gonzales, Bishop of Salamanca. No one indeed formally approved it as a Pontiff, yet Pius IV himself distinctly mentions it in both Bulls issued by him, and both Pius IV and Benedict XIII along with other Pontiffs, who mention certain Statutes and grant certain indulgences to those observing them, can be said to have tacitly approved the Rule which comprehends these Statutes. Therefore, it is best to reproduce here this most ancient Rule:

RULE of the Society of the Name of God, or of Oaths. These are the principal chapters of the Confraternity of the Name of God, or of Oaths, which has recently been instituted by certain religious of the Order of Preachers to guard against the evil of blasphemies and perjuries and other abuses of rashly swearing, for which Our Most Holy Lord Pius IV by Divine Providence Pope has now recently granted many indulgences and other Privileges.

First, each of those who are enrolled in this Society must with the greatest care and every circumspection guard against taking the glorious Name of God or the Saints in vain, and to accomplish this more safely, must attend to never swearing at all, unless necessity or brotherly charity or the authority of a Superior requires it, following that: swear not at all; and let your speech be yes, yes, no, no (Matt. 5:37). If anyone among them should on occasion happen to swear without such cause, he is required to pay a penalty or give alms, or to say the Lord's Prayer with the Angelic Salutation, so that this may serve as a bridle henceforth. If any of them shall blaspheme against the Holy Name of God, or the Blessed Virgin, or other Saints, the members of this Rule are accustomed on that day, if they can conveniently do so, to come to the Church and on bended knees and prostrate to ask pardon, saying the Lord's Prayer three times with the Angelic Salutation, and offering some alms to a place designated for this purpose.

Second, if any of them as heads of families seriously admonish their children and household members, lest the Name of God be taken indecently in their presence and those whom they perceive to be lacking in this matter, they paternally admonish and correct them, so that finally this detestable vice may be eliminated from their own homes.

Third, if they hear outsiders or blasphemers or rash swearers, when according to prudence they judge it will be useful in the future, they must modestly and kindly admonish them, as often as the necessity of this matter requires, so that among them there may always be those who seem to emulate the Name of God.

Fourth, members of this Society are accustomed on the day of the Circumcision of the Lord to confess their sins and receive the Sacred Eucharist, and to celebrate the feast of the glorious Name of Jesus with as great solemnity as possible. Moreover on the first Sunday of each month they are accustomed also to come to the Church chosen by them, and before the solemn celebration of the greater Masses to hear a private Mass in common, and to contribute private alms into one fund, as each pleases.

Fifth, of these brothers who are enrolled in any city, two upright men approved by common agreement are chosen to preside over this Society, and three or four other councilors are assigned to them, so that they may deliberate in common on those things which pertain to the conservation and promotion of this Society, and each year, from those who have preceded them, are designated; whose office it is to take care that these private Masses are not omitted each month, and that the feast of the Lord's Name is celebrated more solemnly; another official also carries one key and one of the councilors carries the other key of the box in which such alms and the fines of those swearing are deposited, so that on the third each month in the common fund the money that has been collected is dispensed and spent, and recorded in writing, and disbursed by their judgment and for the stipends of celebrating priests and for relieving other necessities, especially of those who are enrolled in this Rule.

Besides these principal chapters which seem to be able to suit everyone, other items may be added for the diversity of regions, especially with the authority of the Most Reverend Bishops, whom the members of this Rule desire to have as singular Patrons and Protectors.

[P. Ludovicus Fanfani, De confraternitatibus aliisque associationibus Ordini FF. Praedicatorum propriis. Romae: Apud Domum Generalitiam, 1934. 64-65.]