Catholic Dictionary
Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.
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PROFESSION
The act of embracing the religious state by the three vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience according to the rule of an order or congregation canonically approved. For simple profession, at least a continuous year of novitiate or probation is necessary; for solemn profession, three or more years of simple profession must precede. The candidate must be of the full age required and personally at liberty to make the promises.