The Rule is a document that determines, with legal force, the main elements in the life of a religious community. The most known Rule is St. Benedict’s one (540). The SSVP has wished to provide herself with a Rule so that the life of the Conferences and Councils, and the conception of the service to the poor may be ruled by principles of religious nature, common to all members.

All in all, the Rule is a set of life regulations that Vincentians throughout the world wish to apply in their daily lives; it is aimed to the service to the most disadvantaged.