n
the perfectly balanced framework of Dominican institutions,
there is one thing that immediately strikes one : everything
is geared towards a complete dedication to preaching the
Gospel. The power which rules and coordinates this great
gathering is universal in its head and in its origin :
the General Chapter and the Master of the Order (LCO nn
17, 252).
The
general chapter is at the top of the pyramid of government;
and, as it has active jurisdiction, it has the supreme
power. During every chapter the Master General, elected
for nine years, gives an account of what he has done;
the way he has ruled the Order and his aims can then be
considered and questioned. Although between two chapters
he does have a certain liberty in the way he exercises
control (and all the more so, since, unlike most institutes
his assistants or councillors are not nominated by the
general chapter but by himself once they are presented
by the provinces) the frequency of general chapters (every
three years) means that he remains close to the democratically
elected supreme authority of the Order.
What
binds the Dominican family together is religious profession,
which unites every brother, each nun and also each member
of lay fraternities to the Master General (but not sisters
living the active life who do not legally depend on him).
Along with general chapters, the Master of the Order is
the guarantee of faithfulness to Saint Dominic's inspiration,
the corner-stone of the unity to the Order, and the direct
point of reference for each of its members. This shows
the importance of direct relations between him and each
of his brethren, through regular visits to houses and
provinces, as well as by meeting and writing to individuals.
It is under the generalat of fr. Garcia de Paredes (1926-1929)
that the government of the Order of the Preachers was
established in the convent of Santa sabina in Rome, a
convent that was witness of the birth of the Order and
that was re-bought from the Italian government in 1929.
The Master of the Order, his assistants and promoters
reside at Santa Sabina. 
(Source : Letter
on the Government, by fr. Vincent de Couesnongle,
OP).
