This incorporation which is brought about with the beginning of the novitiate is called affiliation. Before beginning the novitiate, it must be declared expressly to postulants of another province for what province an aspirant is being received as a son. If, however, he shall have been admitted without any such determination, he will be a son of the province in which he began the novitiate. Transfiliation from one province to another can be made by the Master of the Order, with the consent, however, of each prior provincial and his own council. I. Assignment is the appointment of a brother to some province or to a definite convent with all rights and obligations unless it is clearly stated otherwise.
Assignment is either direct or simple, or indirect by reason of office or of studies.
Assignment, however, outside one's own province for the purpose of study does not suffice for having voice in elections. The prior provincial of the province of assignation, with the previous consent of the prior provincial of the province of affiliation determines other rights and obligations of the brother assigned by reason of study, number 208 being observed. Every brother needs a direct assignment to a definite convent from the time of first profession and without a time limit. An indirect assignment by reason of office lasts only for the term of office. A brother who has been assigned simply to a province by the Master of the Order or by a general chapter, needs an assignment to a definite convent besides.