For the General Chapter to fulfill its purpose, several processes are organized:

The week before the Chapter: All of the Chapter Fathers arrive in Rome, and have a week of Spiritual Exercises together. This is followed by several days of fellowship, conversation, and pre-reading.

The first week of the Chapter:  The Central Commission of the Chapter is elected, To assess the state of the Congregation and the signs of the times, reports are presented by the General Directorate, the General Administration, and all of the territorial directors.

The second week of the Chapter: The new General Government is elected, beginning with the general director, then the vicar general, the next five general councilors, and the general administrator.

The remaining weeks of the Chapter: The Chapter discusses and votes on themes and proposals through a combination of committee work, small groups, and plenary sessions to produce guidelines for the next government as well as exhorations , directives, and decrees for all Legonaries, aimed at fostering health, renewal, and growth for the next six years.

The closing of the General Chapter: The exact date of the end of the chapter can change, depending on how much time the chapter fathers need to complete their work. When the chapter ends, any changes to proper law that have been approved are made, and proposed changes to the Consitutions are sent to the Holy See for approval, and the final communiqué is voted on and approved by the chapter fathers, then released.