Regula, caput XVI
Christ Establishes the Order of Confession
Christ institutes the practice of regular confession for all religious, appointing the general confessor and authorizing him to select assistant priests for the frequent cleansing of consciences.
Here Christ appoints the times for the confession of nuns and brothers, and how the general confessor may choose for himself some brothers as priests to serve as assistants for hearing confessions. The consciences of all the sisters, priests, and brothers should also be laid open to the general confessor, at least three times a year, through confession. And since the consciences of all are to be cleansed frequently in the course of the year through confession, it should be lawful for that same general confessor to choose from among twelve priests as many as he wishes for hearing confessions, who are ready every day for anyone wishing to confess.
The Sacred Rhythm of Holy Communion
Christ designates the appointed feasts and fast days for Communion, while also opening the way for more frequent reception by those nuns moved by special devotion under their confessor's guidance.
Christ determines here which days of the year the nuns as well as the brothers ought to receive Communion. "On all festal days whose vigils or festival days are fasted with bread and water, and at my supper, and on the day of Easter, of the Ascension, of Pentecost, and of my Nativity, all will receive Communion. Other nuns, however, to whom God has inspired greater devotion, if they seek this with fervent desire, with the counsel of their confessor, can receive Communion every Sabbath.
Read the original Latin
Christus ordinat hic tempora confessionum monialium et fratrum et qualiter confessor generalis possit sibi eligere aliquos fratres sacerdotes in coadiutores ad confessiones audiendas.
"Confessori eciam generali ad minus ter in anno omnium sororum, sacerdotum et fratrum consciencie per confessionem patefiant. Et quoniam omnium consciencie pluries in anno per confessionem sunt purgande, licitum sit ipsi generali confessori de duodecim sacerdotibus, quotquot voluerit, eligere ad confessiones audiendas, qui omni die vnicuique confiteri volenti sint parati." Christus determinat hic, quibus diebus in anno tam moniales quam fratres communicare debeant. "Omnibus diebus festiuis, quorum vigilie vel profesta ieiunantur in pane et aqua, et in cena mea et in die pasche et ascensionis, penthecostes et natiuitatis mee omnes communicabunt. Alie autem moniales, quibus Deus deuocionem maiorem inspirauerit, si feruenti desiderio petunt, cum consilio confessoris sui omni sabbato possunt communicare."
Regula Sancti Salvatoris companion
Let the app keep the daily part of your rule
Chosen Portion delivers your daily reading and prayer portion automatically — the one rule item you never have to plan.
Birgitta's Rule fixed a daily rhythm of prayer and reading for her order, and the Chosen Portion app supplies that same fixed daily portion for readers outside the cloister.
- One fixed daily devotional slot handled for you, about 10 minutes
- Read the full 34-chapter Regula Salvatoris in modern English inside the app
- Track a 30-day streak while you test your draft rule