Regular observance, taken by St. Dominic from tradition or created by him, so governs our way of living that we are aided in our purpose of more closely following Christ and are able to carry out the apostolic life more effectively. In order, therefore, that we may remain faithful in our vocation, we should regard regular observance highly, cherish it in our heart, and strive to put it into effect.
All the elements that constitute and govern Dominican life through common discipline pertain to regular observance. Outstanding among these elements are the common life, the celebration of the liturgy and private prayer, the observance of the vows, the assiduous study of truth, and the apostolic ministry: to fulfill them faithfully we are helped by the cloister, silence, wearing the habit, and penitential practices.
Cloister
That the brethren may be able to devote themselves better to contemplation and study, that the intimacy of their religious family may be increased, and that the authenticity and character of our religious life may be revealed, the cloister must be observed in our convents.
Silence
Silence is to be diligently observed by the brethren, especially in places and at times reserved for prayer and study; it is the guardian of all observance and contributes particularly to interior religious life, to peace, prayer, the study of truth, and the sincerity of preaching. Silence must be regulated in a spirit of charity in such a way that it does not hinder productive communication.
Habit
The Dominican habit consists of a white tunic with a white scapular and capuce, with a black cappa and capuce, a leather belt and rosary. It is worn as a sign of our religious consecration. The Dominican habit derives from the clothing that St. Dominic wore as a canon regular before founding the Order. It is essentially the same today as it was in the thirteenth century, with the exception of certain developments in style and the addition of the rosary. Within the community, the white habit is usually worn with the exception of certain liturgical feasts and seasons, when the black capuce is worn over the habit.
Penitential Practices
By our religious consecration and apostolic vocation, we are urged more than the rest of the faithful to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and to proclaim in body and soul the death of Jesus, and thus they shall gain for ourselves and for others the glory of the resurrection. In imitation of St. Dominic, “who while he lived in the flesh walked in the spirit, not merely refusing to satisfy the desires of the flesh, but destroying them,” we practice the virtue of penance especially by carrying out faithfully everything that pertains to our life. We also take on specific communal penances, particularly in the seasons of Advent and Lent. Each brother is also exhorted to add other works of mortification to discharge more fully the duty of penance.