Francis Writing Seng

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Saint Francis

RULEFORTHEORDEROFFRIARSMINOR

presented to the lord Pope Innocent IV, but not confirmed with a bull of approbation

c. 1221 A.D.

PROLOGUE

INTHENAMEOFTHEFATHERANDOFTHESONANDOFTHEHOLY

SPIRIT!

This is the life of the ospel of !esus "hrist, which friar Francis as#ed to be concededand confirmed for himself b$ the lord Pope. And %e conceded and confirmed it for him

and for his friars, those he had and those to come. Friar Francis and whoe&er will be

head of this reli'ious order promises obedience and re&erence to the lord pope Innocent

and to his successors. And all the other friars are bound to obe$ friar Francis and his

successors.

CHAPTERI

THATTHEFRIARSSHOULDLIVEWITHOUT[ANYTHINGOF] ONE'SOWN

ANDINCHASTITYANDOBEDIENCE

The (ule and life of these friars is this, namel$, to li&e in obedience, in chastit$ and

without )an$thin' of* one+s own, and to follow the doctrine and footsteps of ur -ord

!esus "hrist, who said /If $ou want to be perfect, 'o and sell all 0cf -# 1,22 that $ou

ha&e, and 'i&e it to the poor and $ou will ha&e treasure in %ea&en3 and come, follow

4e5 04t 1621. And /If an$one wants to come after 4e, let him den$ his &er$ self and

ta#e up his cross and follow 4e5 04t 17,28. -i#ewise /If an$one wants to come to 4e

and does not hate father and mother and wife and sons and dau'hters, moreo&er and

e&en his own life, he cannot be m$ disciple5 0-# 18,27 And /All, who forsa#e father

and mother, brothers and sisters, wife or sons, homes or fields for 4$ sa#e, will recei&e

a hundredfold and will posses eternal life5 0cf 4t 16263 4# 19263 -# 1326

CHAPTERII

ONTHERECEPTIONANDCLOTHINGOFTHEFRIARS

If an$one, wantin' to adopt this life b$ di&in' inspiration, would come to our friars, let

him be #indl$ recei&ed b$ them. :ut if he would be firm )in his resolution* to adopt our

life, let the friars beware much of themsel&es, lest the$ allow themsel&es to enter into

his temporal affairs, and present him before their 4inister )pro&incial*, as soon as the$

can. -et the 4inister indeed recei&e him #indl$ and encoura'e him and e;plain to him

dili'entl$ the tenor of our life.


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spirituall$ without impediment, let him sell all his )possessions* and stri&e to pa$

)ero'are* them all out to the poor. -et the friars and the minister of the friars beware of

themsel&es, that the$ in no manner allow themsel&es to enter into his affairs nor recei&e

an$ mone$ neither throu'h themsel&es nor throu'h an interposed person. If howe&er

the$ are in need, the friars can recei&e other necessities for the bod$, e;cept mone$, forthe sa#e of necessit$ as )do* other poor. And when he has returned, let the minister 'rant

him the clothes of probation for one $ear, namel$ two tunics without a hood )caputio*

and a cord )cin'ulum* and breeches and a cape )which han's* down to the cord

)cin'ulum*. and /those who are dressed in soft )clothes*, are in the

houses of #in's5 04t 11. And thou'h the$ ma$ be called h$pocrites, let them not

howe&er cease doin' 'ood nor see# costl$ clothes in this a'e, so that the$ can ha&e

&estments in the #in'dom of %ea&en.

CHAPTERIII

CONCERNINGTHEDIVINEOFFICEANDFASTING

The -ord sa$s This #ind of daemon can not 'o forth e;cept with fastin' and pra$er 0cf

4# 623 and a'ain /9 with a Pater noster3 and for the departed friars

let them sa$ the De profundis 0Ps 126 with a Pater noster. And let them be able to ha&e

onl$ the boo#s necessar$ to fulfil their dut$ )officium*. And let it be lawful for the la$

)brothers, who* #now how to read the psalter, to be allowed to ha&e one for themsel&es.

Indeed let it not be lawful to the other )brothers, who* do not #now how to read, to ha&e

one. -et the la$ )brothers* sa$ the "redo in Deum and twent$@four Pater nosters with a

loria Patri for matins3 indeed for lauds fi&e3 for prime the "redo in Deum and se&en

Pater nosters with a loria Patri3 for terce, se;t and nones and for whate&er hour )of

these* se&en3 for &espers twel&e3 for compline the "redo in Deum and se&en Pater


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nosters with a (e?uiem aeternam3 and for the failin' and ne'li'ence of the friars three

Pater nosters e&er$ da$.

And similarl$ let e&er$ friar fast from the Feast of All Saints until "hristmas and from

Bpiphan$, when ur -ord !esus "hrist be'an to fast, until Baster. Indeed at other timeslet them not be bound to fast accordin' to this life, e;cept on Frida$s. And let it be

lawful for them to eat of all the foods, which are placed before them, accordin' the

ospel 0cf -# 19,

CHAPTERIV

HOWTHINGSARETOBEARRANGEDCONCERNINGTHEMINISTERSAND

THEOTHERFRIARS

In the Came of the -ord -et all the friars, who are constituted ministers and ser&ants ofthe other friars, place in the pro&inces and places, in which the$ were, their own friars,

whom the$ are to &isit and spirituall$ warnt and encoura'e )confortent*. And let all m$

other, blessed friars dili'entl$ obe$ them in those thin's which pertain to the sal&ation

of the soul and are not contrar$ to our life. And let them conduct themsel&es )faciant

inter se* as the -ord teaches /


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And let all the friars, as much ministers and ser&ants as others, beware that on account

of the sin or wic#edness of an$one the$ be distressed or 'row an'r$, because the de&il

wants to corrupt man$ on account of the crime of one3 but spirituall$, as best the$ can,

let them help him who has sinned, because a doctor is not needed for the health$, but for

those who ha&e a malad$ 0cf 4t 612 with 4# 21=.

Similarl$ let all the friars ha&e no power or master$ in this matter, most of all amon'

themsel&es. For ust as the -ord sa$s in the ospel /The princes of the 'entiles rule

o&er them, and those who are 'reater e;ercise their power amon' them.5 04t 292>,

not so will it be amon' the friars 0cf 4t 29,27a3 and whoe&er will ha&e wanted to

become 'reater amon' them, let him be their minister 0cf 4t 29,27b and ser&ant3 and

he who is 'reater amon' them let him become as the lesser 0-# 22,27.

Cor is an$ friar to do e&il or spea# e&il to another3 rather on the contrar$ let them

&oluntaril$ ser&e and obe$ one another throu'h the charit$ of the spirit 0cf al >1E.

And this is a true and hol$ obedience from ur -ord !esus "hrist. And let all the friars,as often as the$ will ha&e turned awa$ from the mandates of the -ord and will ha&e

wandered about outside of obedience, as the prophet sa$s 0Ps 1121, #now that the$

are cursed so lon' as the$ will ha&e #nowin'l$ remained outside of obedience in such a

sin. And when the$ will ha&e perse&ered in the mandates of the -ord, which the$ ha&e

promised b$ means of the %ol$ ospel and their life, let them #now that the$ remain in

true obedience, and let them be blessed b$ the -ord.

CHAPTERVI

ONTHEFRIARS' RECOURSETOTHEIRMINISTERSANDTHATNOFRIARISTOBECALLEDPRIOR

-et the friars, in whatsoe&er places the$ be, if the$ cannot obser&e our life, ha&e

recourse, as soon as the$ can, to their minister, ma#in' this #nown to him. Indeed let the

minister stri&e to pro&ide for them in such a wise, ust as he would want be done for

himself, if he would be in a similar case. And let no one be called prior, but let all be

called in 'eneral friars minor )lesser brothers*. And let one wash the feet of the other 0cf

!n 1E18.

CHAPTERVII

ONTHEMANNEROFSERVINGANDWORKING

-et all the friars, in whatsoe&er places the$ will be sta$in' amon' others to ser&e or

wor#, not be chamberlains nor chancellors nor preside in the houses in which the$

ser&e3 nor let them recei&e an$ office, which would 'enerate scandal or be detrimental

to their soul 0cf 4# E73 but let them be lesser and subect to all, who are in the same

house.

And let the friars, who #now how to wor#, wor# and e;ercise the same art, which the$

#now, if it would not be contrar$ to the health of the soul and can be done honestl$. For


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the prophet said /-abourers $ou will eat of $our own fruits5 0Ps 12=2 G Ps (om and

the apostle -et him who does not want to wor#, not eat5 0cf 2 Th E193 and -et each

one remain in that art and office, in which he was called 0cf 1 "or =28. And for their

wor# let them be able to recei&e e&er$ necessar$ thin' e;cept mone$. And when it will

be necessar$, let them 'o about for alms as the other poor )do*. And let it be lawful forthem to ha&e iron tools and instruments suitable to their wor#.

-et all the friars stri&e to sweat at 'ood wor#s, because it is written Alwa$s do

somethin' 'ood, so that the de&il ma$ find $ou occupied. And a'ain /Idleness is the

enem$ of the soul.5 Therefore the ser&ants of od should alwa$s pursue pra$er or some

'ood wor#.

-et the friars beware of themsel&es, wheresoe&er the$ will be, in hermita'es or in other

places, that the$ appropriate no place for themsel&es nor defend it for another. And

whosoe&er would come to them, friend or ad&ersar$, thief or bri'and, let him be #indl$

recei&ed. And wheresoe&er the friars are and in whatsoe&er place the$ would findthemsel&es, the$ should spirituall$ and dili'entl$ loo# upon themsel&es and honour

/each other without murmurin'5 01 Pet 8,6. And let them beware of themsel&es, that

the$ not show themsel&es to be sad outwardl$ and 'loom$ h$pocrites3 but let them

show themsel&es to be those who reoice in the -ord 0cf Phil 88 and cheerful and

fittin'l$ 'racious.

CHAPTERVIII

THATTHEFRIARSARENOTTORECEIVEMONEY

The -ord commanded in the ospel See, beware of all malice and a&arice 0cf -#

121>3 and Turn $oursel&es awa$ from the solicitude for this a'e and from the cares of

this life 0cf -# 21,E8


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for the manifest necessit$ of the lepers, can see# alms for them. -et them beware, so

that the$ do not 'o about the land for the sa#e of an$ filth$ lucre.

CHAPTERIX

ONSEEKINGALMS

-et all the friars stri&e to follow the humilit$ and po&ert$ of ur -ord !esus "hrist and

let them remember, that it is proper that we ha&e nothin' else of this world, e;cept, as

the Apostles sa$s, as ones ha&in' foot and that with which we are clothed, we are

content with these 0cf 1 Tim 7. And the$ should reoice, when the$ are amon' &ile

and despised persons, amon' the poor and wea# and infirm and lepers and those

be''in' alon' the road. And when it will ha&e been necessar$, let them 'o about for

alms. And let them not be ashamed but rather let them remember, because ur -ord

!esus "hrist, the Son of the Almi'ht$ li&in' od 0!n 112=, set %is face li#e the hardest

roc# 0Is >9=, nor was %e ashamed3 and %e was poor and a 'uest and li&ed b$ alms,

%imself and the :lessed Vir'in and %is disciples. And when men show the diffidence

and are not willin' to 'i&e them alms, let them render than#s to od on that account3

because for )this* diffidence the$ will recei&e 'reat honour before the tribunal of ur

-ord !esus "hrist. And let them #now, that shame is imputed not to those who suffer it,

but to those who render it. And alms are the inheritance and ustice, which are due to the

poor, which ur -ord !esus "hrist obtained for us. And the friars, who labour in

ac?uirin' these, will ha&e a 'reat wa'e and will ma#es those who 'rant these profit and

ac?uire )the same 'reat wa'e*3 because all that men lea&e in the world will perish, but

for the charit$ and alms, which the$ 'i&e, the$ will ha&e a reward from the -ord.

And let one fearlessl$ manifest to the other his own need, so that )the latter* ma$ find

for him what is necessar$ and minister )it to him*. And whoe&er would lo&e and nourish

his brother, as a mother lo&es and nourishes her son 0cf 1 Th 2=, ma$ od bestow

'race upon him for their sa#e. And /let him who does not eat, not ud'e him who does5

0(om 18,Eb

And whensoe&er necessit$ will o&erta#e them, let it be lawful for all the friars where&er

the$ are, to use all foods, which men can eat, ust as the -ord sa$s of Da&id, who ate the

show bread 0cf 4t 12,8, which was not lawful to eat e;cept for the priests 04# 227.

And let them remember, that the -ord sa$s /Attend moreo&er to $oursel&es lest

perchance $our hearts 'row hea&$ with stupor and drun#enness and the cares of this lifeand there o&erta#e $ou that une;pected da$3 for li#e a trap it will sprin' upon all, who

sit upon the face of the 'lobe 0cf -# 21E8@E>. Similarl$ e&en in times of manifest

necessit$ let all the friars do concernin' their needs, as the -ord ma$ 'rant them the

'race, because necessit$ has no law.

CHAPTERX

ONTHESICKFRIARS

If an$ of the friars will fall sic#, where&er he be, let the other friars not dismiss him,rather let one or man$ of the friars be appointed, if it is necessar$, who will ser&e him,


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ust as the$ want to be ser&ed themsel&es3 but in &er$ 'reat necessit$ the$ can send him

to some person who should suffice for his sic#ness. And I be' the sic# friar, to render all

than#s to the "reator3 and let him desire to be that which the -ord wants him to be,

health$ or sic#, because all, whom od has preordained for eternal life 0cf Act 1E8,

%e trains b$ means of whips and the torments of sic#nesses and the spirit ofcompunction, ust as the -ord sa$s /Hou whom I lo&e, I correct and chastise.5 0Apoc

E16. And if an$ are distressed or 'row an'r$ either a'ainst od or a'ainst the friars, or

if perchance the$ ha&e solicitousl$ as#ed for medicines, desirin' e;ceedin'l$ to liberate

the flesh which will ?uic#l$ die, which is the enem$ of the soul, it is turnin' out e&il for

him and he is a carnal man, and he does not seem to be one of the friars, because he

lo&es the bod$ more than the soul.

CHAPTERXI

THATTHEFRIARSSHOULDNOTBLASPHEMENORDETRACT, BUTLOVE

ONEANOTHER

-et all the friars beware of themsel&es, so that the$ do not calumniate )others* nor

contend in words 0cf 2 Tm 218, on the contrar$ let them stri&e to #eep silence,

whensoe&er od would bestow the 'race upon them. Cor let them ?uarrel amon'

themsel&es nor with others, but let them ta#e care to humbl$ respond sa$in' I am a

useless ser&ant 0cf -# 1=19. And let them not 'row an'r$, because e&er$one who

'rows an'r$ with his brother, will be answerable to ud'ement3 he who sa$s to his

brother /(aca5, will be answerable to the "ouncil3 he who will ha&e said, /Fool5, will

be answerable to the fire of ehenna 04t >22. And let them lo&e one another ust as

the -ord sa$s /This is m$ commandment, that $ou lo&e each other, ust as I ha&e lo&ed$ou5 0!n 1>12. And let them show from their wor#s 0cf !m 21 the lo&e, which the$

ha&e for each other, ust as the Apostle sa$s /-et us not lo&e in word or ton'ue, but in

wor# and truth5 01 !n E1. And let them blaspheme no one 0cf 1 Tt E23 let them not

murmur, nor detract others, because it is written . And let them

strain to enter throu'h the narrow 'ate 0-# 1E28, because the -ord sa$s /Carrow is

the 'ate and croo#ed 0arcta is the wa$, which leads to life3 and few there are, who find

it.5 04t =18.

CHAPTERXII

ONWICKEDLYLOOKINGATANDFREQUENTINGWOMEN

-et all the friars, wheresoe&er the are and 'o, themsel&es beware of wic#edl$ loo#in' at

and fre?uentin' women. And let none ta#e counsel with them or 'o about alone alon'

the road or eat at table with a dessert@dish )in una paropside*. -et the priests spea#

upri'htl$ with them when 'i&in' a penance or another spiritual counsel. And let no

woman at all be recei&ed to obedience b$ an$ friar, but ha&in' 'i&en her spiritual


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council, let her do penance where she will. And let us 'uard oursel&es much and let us

#eep all our members clean, because as the -ord sa$s /%e who would loo# upon a

woman to desire her, has alread$ committed fornication with her in his heart5 04t >2.

And the Apostle )sa$s* Do $ou not #now, because $our members are the temple of the

%ol$ Spirit 0cf 1 "or 7163 and so him who will ha&e &iolated the temple of od, odwill despoil. 01 "or E1=.

CHAPTERXIII

ONAVOIDINGFORNICATION

If an$ of the friars at the insti'ation of the de&il would commit fornication, let him be

stripped of the habit, which he has lost on account of his own foul ini?uit$, and he is to

la$ aside e&er$ thin' and be entirel$ banished from our reli'ious institute. And

afterwards let him do penance for his sins 0cf 1 "or >8@>.

CHAPTERXIV

INWHATMANNERTHEFRIARSSHOULDTRAVELTHROUGHTHEWORLD


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he sees that the$ are suitable to be sent3 for he will be held b$ the -ord to render an

account 0cf -# 172, if in this or in other thin's he would proceed indiscreetl$. Indeed

the Friars, who 'o, can conduct themsel&es )con&ersare* spirituall$ in two manners

amon' them. ne manner is, that the$ cause no ?uarrels )non faciant lites* nor disputes,

but be subect to e&er$ human creature for od+s sa#e 01 Pt 21E and let them confessthemsel&es to be "hristians. The other manner is, that, when the$ ha&e seen it would

please od, the$ announce the word of od, that the$ should belie&e in od the

Almi'ht$, Father and Son and %ol$ Spirit, the "reator of all thin's, the (edeemer and

Sa&iour, the Son, and that the$ should be baptised and become "hristians, because he

who is not reborn of water and the %ol$ Spirit, cannot enter the #in'dom of od 0cf !n

E>.

These thin's and others, which ma$ please the -ord, the$ can sa$ to them and to others,

because the -ord sa$s in the ospel /B&er$ man, who confesses 4e in the presence of

men, him I will confess also in the presence of 4$ Father, who is in %ea&en.5 04t

19E2 And /%e who is ashamed of me and m$ words )sermones*, him the Son of manwill also be ashamed of, when %e will come in %is Father+s maest$ and )that* of the

An'els. 0cf -# 6,27.

And let all the friars, wheresoe&er the$ are, remember, that the$ ha&e 'i&en themsel&es

and surrendered their bodies to the -ord !esus "hrist. And for lo&e of %im the$ ou'ht to

confront )se e;ponere* their enemies both &isible and in&isible3 because the -ord sa$s

/%e who loses his soul on account of 4e, will sa&e it 0cf -# 628 for eternal life5 04t

2>87. /:lessed are those who suffer persecution on account of ustice, since theirs is

the #in'dom of %ea&en5 04t >19. /If the$ ha&e persecuted 4e, the$ will persecute

$ou also.5 0!n 1>29. And If the$ persecute $ou in one cit$, flee to another 0cfr 4t

192E. :lessed are $ou 04t >19, when men hate $ou 0-# 722 and curse $ou 04t

>11 and persecute $ou 0cf loc. cit. and separate $ou and reproach $ou and cast $our

name out as wic#ed 0-# 722 and when the$ would sa$ e&er$ e&il a'ainst $ou, l$in',

on account of 4e 04t >11. (eoice on that da$ and e;ult 0-# 72E, since $our wa'e is

'reat in hea&en 0cf -# 128, and do not fear those who #ill the bod$ 04t 192 and

after this ha&e nothin' more which to do 0-# 128. See, that $ou are not disturbed 04t

287. For in $our patience $ou will possess $our souls 0-# 2116, and he who will

ha&e perse&ered unto the end, he will be sa&ed 04t 19223 281E.

CHAPTERXVII

ONPREACHERS

Co friar ma$ preach a'ainst the form and arran'ement of %ol$ "hurch and unless it will

ha&e been conceded to him b$ his minister. And let the minister beware of himself, lest

he indiscreetl$ concede )such* to an$one. -et all the friars preach b$ )their* wor#s. And

let no minister or preacher appropriate to himself the office of minister )ministerium

fratrum* or the office of preachin', but in whate&er hour it will ha&e been enoined upon

another, let him without an$ contradiction surrender his office.


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thin's, not to 'lor$ nor reoice in themsel&es nor to e;alt themsel&es interiorl$ for the

'ood words and deed, indeed for no 'ood thin', which od does or sa$s or wor#s in

them at an$ time and throu'h them, accordin' to what the -ord sa$s /Ce&ertheless do

not reoice in this, that the spirits are subect to $ou5 0-# 1929. And let us #now firml$,

)such* do not belon' to us, e;cept &ices and sins. And we should reoice more, when wemi'ht fall into &arious temptations 0cf !m 12 and when we mi'ht sustain whate&er

#ind of difficulties of soul or bod$, or of tribulation in this life for the sa#e of life

eternal.

Therefore let all the friars beware of all pride and &ain'lor$3 and let us 'uard oursel&es

from the wisdom of this world and from the prudence of the flesh 0(om 73 for the

spirit of the flesh wants and stri&es much to ha&e words, but little to wor#, and it see#s

not reli'ion and the holiness in the interior spirit, but wants and desires to ha&e a

reli'ion and holiness appearin' outwardl$ to men. And such the$ are, of whom the -ord

sa$s /Amen I sa$ to $ou, the$ ha&e recei&ed their wa'e.5 04t 72. :ut the Spirit of the

-ord wants the flesh to be mortified and despised, &ile and abect. And it stri&es forhumilit$ and patience and a pure and simple and true peace of spirit. And alwa$s abo&e

all thin's it desires the di&ine fear and the di&ine wisdom and the di&ine lo&e of the

Father and of the Son and of the %ol$ Spirit.

And let us render all 'ood thin's to the -ord od, the 4ost %i'h and %i'hest, and let

us reco'nise that all 'ood thin's are %is and for all thin's let us refer than#s to %im,

from whom all 'ood thin's proceed. And ma$ %e %imself, the 4ost %i'h and %i'hest,

the onl$ true od ha&e and let there be rendered to %im and let %im recei&e all honours

and re&erences, all praises and blessin's, all than#s and 'lor$, of whom is e&er$ 'ood,

who alone is 'ood. 0cf -# 116.

And when we oursel&es see or hear e&il bein' spo#en or done or od bein'

blasphemed, let us spea# well and do 'ood and praise od 0cf (om 1221, who is

blessed throu'hout the a'es 0(om 12>.

CHAPTERXVIII

HOWTHEMINISTERSARETOASSEMBLETOGETHER

In whatsoe&er $ear he can assemble with his friars@wheresoe&er would please them@on

the feast of Saint 4ichael the Archan'el, the minister will treat with those thin's whichpertain to od. For let all the ministers, who are o&erseas and be$ond the Alps

)ultramontanis partibus*, once in three $ears, and the other ministers once a $ear come

to the Pentecost "hapter at the "hurch of Saint 4ar$ of the Portiuncula, unless it will

ha&e be ordained otherwise b$ the minister and ser&ant of the whole fraternit$.

CHAPTERXIX

THATTHEFRIARSARETOLIVEASCATHOLICS[CATHOLICE]

-et all the friars li&e be catholic, li&e and spea# as "atholics )catholice*. If an$oneindeed )&ero* should wander from the faith and from catholic li&in' )&ita* in word or in


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deed and would not emend himself, let him be entirel$ e;pelled from our fraternit$. And

let us ha&e all the cler'$ and all the reli'ious as )our* lords in those thin's which pertain

to the sal&ation of the soul and do not de&iate from our reli'ious life )reli'ione*3 and let

us &enerate their state and office and ministr$ )administrationem* in the -ord.

CHAPTERXX

ON[THESACRAMENTOF] PENANCEANDTHERECEPTIONOFTHEBODY

ANDBLOODOFOURLORDJESUSCHRIST

And let m$ blessed friars, as much clerics as la$ )brothers*, confess their sins to the

priests )who li&e* our reli'ious life )nostrae reli'ionis*. And if the$ cannot do )this*, let

them confess to other discrete and catholic priests, #nowin' firml$ and attenti&e,

because from whatsoe&er catholic priests the$ mi'ht recei&e penance and absolution,

the$ will be absol&ed without )procul* doubt from their sins, if the$ will ha&e made thesacrifices necessar$ )procura&erint* to obser&e the penance enoined upon them, humbl$

and faithfull$. If indeed the$ cannot then find )habere* a priest, let them confess to their

brother, as the apostle !ames sa$s J "onfess $our sins to one another K 0!m >17.

%owe&er let them not on account of this lea&e off 0dimittant ha&in' recourse to a priest,

because the power of bindin' and loosin' has been conceded to priests alone. And thus

contrite and ha&in' confessed let them recei&e )sumant* the :od$ and :lood of ur

-ord !esus "hrist with 'reat humilit$ and &eneration, rememberin' that the -ord said

%e who eats 4$ Flesh and drin#s 4$ :lood has life eternal 0cf !n 7>83 and J Do this

in 4$ commemoration K 0-# 2216.

CHAPTERXXI

ONTHEPRAISEANDEXHORTATION, WHICHALLFRIARSCANGIVE

And this and such e;hortation and praise all m$ friars, whensoe&er it mi'ht please them,

can announce amon' whatsoe&er men with the blessin' of od Fear and honour, praise

and bless, 'i&e than#s 01 Th >1 and adore the -ord od Almi'ht$ in Trinit$ and

Lnit$, the Father and the Son and the %ol$ Spirit, the creator of all. Do penance 0cf 4t

E2, produce )facere* fruits worth$ of penance 0cf -c E, because soon we will die.

/i&e and it will be 'i&en unto $ou5 0-# 7E. For'i&e and it will be for'i&en $ou 0cf

-# 7,E=. And if $ou would not for'i&e men their sins 04t 7,18, the -ord will not

for'i&e $ou $our sins 04# 112>3 confess all $our sins 0cf !m >,17. :lessed the$ who

die in penance, because the$ will be in the #in'dom of hea&en.


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-et all of us friars attend to what the -ord sa$s -o&e $our enemies and do 'ood to

those who hate $ou 0cf 4t >88, because ur -ord !esus "hrist, whose footprints we

ou'ht to follow 0cf 1 Pt 221, called %is own traitor %is friend 0cf 4t 27>9 and for

%is crucifiers %e offered %imself willin'l$. Therefore our friends are those who

unustl$ brin' upon us tribulations and difficulties, scoldin's and inuries, pains andtorments, mart$rdom and death3 whom we ou'ht to lo&e 'reatl$, because on account of

this which the$ brin' upon us, we ha&e eternal life.

And let us hold our bod$ in hatred with its &ices and sins3 because b$ li&in' carnall$ the

de&il wants to bear off from us the lo&e of !esus "hrist and eternal life and that he

himself perish in hell with e&er$bod$3 because we throu'h our own fault are stin#in',

wretched and opposed to 'ood, but prompt and willin' to e&ils, because, as the -ord

sa$s in the ospel From the heart proceeds and 'oes forth e&il thou'hts, adulteries,

fornications, homicides, thefts, 'reed, ini?uities )ne?uitia*, 'rief, incontinence, an e&il

e$e, false testimonies, blasphemies, foolishness 0cf 4# =213 4t 1>16. All these e&ils

proceed from inside the heart of a man 0cf 4# ==E and J it is these, which completel$corrupt a man K 04t 1>29.

Cow howe&er, after we ha&e abandoned the world )mundum*, let us ha&e nothin' else

to do, e;cept to follow the will of the -ord and to be pleasin' to %im. -et us beware

'reatl$, lest we be as the 'round alon' the road either roc#$ or thorn$, accordin' to what

the -ord sa$s in the ospel The seed is the word of od 0-# ,11. That which

howe&er fell alon' the road and was trampled upon 0cf -# >, are those who hear 0-#

12 the word and do not understand it 0cf 4t 1E16 and &er$ hastil$ the de&il comes

0-# 12 and snatches 04t 1E16, what was sown in their hearts 04# 8,1> and ta#es

the word from their hearts, lest belie&in' the$ be sa&ed 0-# 12. That which howe&er

fell upon roc#$ )'round* 0cf 4t 1E29, are those, who when the$ ha&e heard the word,

immediatel$ with o$ 04# 817 the$ recei&e 0-# 1E it 04# 817. %owe&er when

tribulation and persecution arise )facta* on account of the word, the$ are at once

scandalised 04t 1E21 and these ha&e no root in themsel&es, but last onl$ for a time 0cf

4# 81=, because the$ belie&e for a time and in the time of temptation the$ retreat 0-#

1E. %owe&er that which fell upon thorns, are those 0-# 18 who hear the word of

od 0cf 4# 81, and the solicitude 04t 1E22 and hardships of this a'e and the deceit

of riches 04t 1E22 and the concupiscence concernin' )what the$* left behind enterin'

in suffocates the word and ma#es it without fruit 04# 816. %owe&er that which was

sown 04t 1E2E upon 'ood 'round 0-# 1>, are those, who hearin' the word in a

'ood and the best )#ind of* heart 0-# 1> understand it and 0cf 4t 1E2E retain it andbrin' forth fruit in patience 0-# 1>. And therefore let us friars, as the -ord sa$s, lea&e

the dead to bur$ the dead 04t 22.

And let us 'reatl$ beware of the wic#edness and subtlet$ of Satan, who wants, that man

not #eep his mind or heart on od. And 'oin' about he desires to seiMe the heart of man

under the pretence of some wa'e or aid and to suffocate the word and precepts of the

-ord from his memor$ and wantin' to completel$ blind the heart of man b$ means of

secular affairs and concern and to dwell in him, as the -ord sa$s


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1288. And it 'oes and it calls in se&en other spirits worse that itself, and ha&in'

entered the$ dwell in him, and the last state )no&issima* of that man is worse than the

first. 0cf -# 1127.

=. . Astonish them in the truth. Th$ teachin'

)sermo* is truth. As Thou has sent 4e into the world, I also ha&e sent them into the

world. And for them I sanctif$ 4$self, so that the$ ma$ be sanctified in the truth. Cot

for them do I as# onl$, but for those, who will belie&e in 4e on account of their word

0cf !n1=1=@29, so that the$ ma$ be 'athered )consummati* into one ):od$*, and that

the world #now, that Thou has sent 4e and Thou lo&e them, ust as Thou lo&es 4e 0!n


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1=2E. And I will ma#e Th$ Came #nown to them, so that the lo&e )dilectio*, with

which Thou has lo&ed 4e, ma$ be in them and I in them 0cf !n 1=27. Father, those

whom Thou has 'i&en 4e, I want, that where I am, the$ also ma$ be with 4e, so that

the$ ma$ see Th$ bri'htness 0!n 1=28 in Th$ #in'dom. Amen.

CHAPTERXXIII

A PRAYERANDTHANKSGIVING

Almi'ht$, 4ost %ol$, 4ost %i'h and %i'hest od, %ol$ Father 0!n 1=11 and !ust

ne, -ord Nin' of %ea&en and Barth 0cf 4t 112>, on account of Thee Th$self we 'i&e

Thee than#s, because throu'h Th$ hol$ will and throu'h Th$ onl$ Son with the %ol$

Spirit Thou has created all spiritual and corporal thin's and Thou has placed us, made

accordin' to Th$ ima'e and li#eness, in paradise 0cf en 1273 21>. And we fell

throu'h our own fault. And we 'i&e Thee than#s, because ust as Thou has created us

throu'h Th$ Son, so throu'h Th$ sacred lo&e )dilectionem*, with which Thou has lo&ed

us 0cf !n 1=27, Thou had %im born true od and true 4an from the 'lorious and e&er@

Vir'in %ol$ 4ar$ and Thou willed that we capti&es be redeemed throu'h %is "ross and

:lood and Death. And we 'i&e Thee than#s, because Th$ Son %imself is to come in the

'lor$ of %is 4aest$ to send the accursed, who do not do penance and who do not #now

)co'no&erunt* Thee, into eternal fire, and to sa$ to all, who #now Thee and daore and

ser&e Thee in penance "ome, $ou blessed of 4$ Father, la$ hold of the #in'dom,

which has been prepared for $ou from the ori'in of the world 0cf 4t 2>E8.

And because all of us wretches and sinners are not worth$ to mention Thee, we entreat

Thee suppliantl$, so that ur -ord !esus "hrist, Th$ :elo&ed Son, in whom Thou arewell pleased 0cf 4t 1=>, to'ether with )una cum* the %ol$ Spirit, the Paraclete, ma$

'i&e Thee than#s, as it ma$ please Thee and %im, for all thin's, %e who for Thee is

alwa$s sufficient for all thin's, throu'h whom Thou has made so man$ thin's for us.

Alleluia.

And we humbl$ entreat the 'lorious 4other, the most blessed 4ar$ e&er@Vir'in, blessed

4ichael, abriel and (aphael and all the choirs of the blessed Seraphim, "herubim,

Thrones, Dominations, Principalities, Powers, Virtues, An'els, Archan'els, blessed !ohn

the :aptist, !ohn the B&an'elist, Peter, Paul and the blessed Patriarchs, Prophets, the

)%ol$* Innocents, Apostles, B&an'elists, Disciples, 4art$rs, "onfessors, Vir'ins,

blessed Bliah and Bnoch, and all the Saints, who were and will be and are, for the sa#eof Th$ lo&e )amorem*, so that, as it ma$ please Thee, to render than#s for these thin's

to Thee the true od, eternal and li&in', with Th$ most dear Son, ur -ord !esus "hrist,

and the %ol$ Spirit unto the a'es of a'es 0Apoc 16E. Amen Alleluia 0Apoc 168

And all of us friar minors, useless ser&ants 0-# 1=19, humbl$ be' and beseech all

within in %ol$ "atholic and Apostolic "hurch willin' to ser&e the -ord od and all

those followin' orders, priests, deacons, subdeacons, acol$tes, e;orcists, lectors, ushers

)ostiarios* and all the cler'$, all the reli'ious men and women, all the con&erts and

children, poor and needed, #in's and princes, labourers and farmers, ser&ants and lords,

all &ir'ins and the continent and the married, la$, men and women, all the infants,

adolescents, $outh and elderl$ and infirm, all the small and 'reat, and all peoples, clans


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)'entes*, tribes and ton'ues 0cf Apoc =6, all nations and all men of whate&er lands,

who are and who will be, that we ma$ perse&ere in the True Faith and in penance,

because no one can be sa&ed otherwise

-et us all lo&e )dili'amus* with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, withall our &irtue 0cf 4t 12E9 and stren'th 0cf 4# 12EE, with all our intellect, and with

all our powers )of soul and bod$* 0cf -# 192=, with all our effort, with all our

affection, with all our 'uts )&isceribus*, with all our desires and willin's the -ord od

04# 12E9, who 'a&e and 'i&es all of us our entire bod$, our entire soul and our entire

life, %e who created, redeemed, and b$ %is merc$ alone will sa&e us 0cf Tob 1E>, %e

who had wor#ed and wor#s all 'ood for us )who are* miserable and wretched, putrid

and stin#in', un'rateful and wic#ed. Therefore let us desire nothin' other, let us want

nothin' other, ma$ nothin' other please and deli'ht us e;cept the ur "reator and

(edeemer and Sa&iour, the onl$ true od, who is the Full ood, All ood, entirel$

ood, the True and %i'hest ood, who alone is 'ood 0cf -# 116, faithful, mee#,

'entle and sweet, who alone is hol$, ust, true, hol$ and ri'ht, who alone is #ind,innocent, clean, from whom and throu'h whom and in whom 0cf (om 11E7 is all

pardon, all 'race, all the 'lor$ of all the penitents and the ust, of all the blessed

reoicin' to'ether in %ea&en. Therefore let nothin' impede, nothin' separate, nothin'

come between )us and %im*3 where&er all of us )are* in e&er$ place, at e&er$ hour and

in e&er$ season )tempore*, dail$ and continuall$, let us belie&e trul$ and humbl$ and

hold in our hearts and lo&e )amemus*, honour, adore, ser&e, praise and bless, 'lorif$ and

e;alt abo&e )all*, ma'nif$ and 'i&e than#s to the 4ost %i'ht and %i'hest Bternal od,

in Trinit$ and Lnit$, the Father and the Son and the %ol$ Spirit, the "reator of all and

the Sa&iour of all who belie&e and hope in and lo&e )dili'entium* %im, who is without

be'innin' and without end, immutable, in&isible, ine;plicable )inenarrabilis*, ineffable,

incomprehensible, unsearchable 0cf (om 11EE, blessed, praiseworth$, 'lorious,

e;alted abo&e )all* 0cf Dan E>2, sublime, e;ceedin', 'entle, lo&able, deli'htful and

desirable abo&e all thin's throu'hout the a'es. Amen.

CHAPTERXXIV

CONCLUSION

In the Came of the -ord I be' all the friars, that the$ in addition learn the tenor and

sense of these thin's which ha&e been written in this life for the sal&ation of our soul

and that the$ fre?uentl$ recall these from memor$ )ad memoriam reducant*. And Ientreat od, that %e, who is Almi'ht$, Triune and ne, bless all those teachin',

learnin', ha&in', rememberin' and puttin' these thin's into practice as often as the

repeat and do those thin's which ha&e been written here for the health of our soul, and I

entreat all with a #iss on the foot, to lo&e much, 'uard and remember these thin's. And

on the part of od Almi'ht$ and the lord Pope and throu'h obedience I friar Francis

firml$ precept and enoin, that concernin' these thin's, which ha&e been written in this

life, no one diminish or add in writin' an$thin' to what is abo&e 0cf Dt 823 123E2 nor

are the friars to ha&e another rule. lor$ to the Father and to the Son and to the %ol$

Spirit, as it was in the be'innin', and )is* now, and )will be* alwa$s and unto the a'es of

a'es. Amen.


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THEREGULABULLATAOF"

CHAPTERI

In the name of the -ord be'ins the life of the Friars 4inor.

The (ule and life of the Friars 4inor is this, namel$, to obser&e the %ol$ ospel of ur

-ord !esus "hrist, b$ li&in' in obedience, without an$thin' of one+s own, and in

chastit$.

Friar Francis promises obedience and re&erence to the -ord Pope %onorius and hiscanonicall$ elected successors, and to the (oman "hurch3 and the other friars are bound

to obe$ Friar Francis and his successors.

CHAPTERII

C#$%&$($) *+#& -+# -(+ *# ./#0* *+( 1(2&, .$/ +#- *+&3 +#41/ 5& &%&(6&/7

If an$ would desire to adopt this life and would come to our brothers, let them send

them to their 4inisters pro&incial, to whom alone, and not to others, is the permission to

recei&e friars conceded. -et the ministers indeed e;amine them dili'entl$ concernin'

the "atholic Faith and the sacraments of the "hurch.

And if the$ belie&e these thin's and want to obser&e them faithfull$ and firml$ unto the

end, and the$ ha&e no wi&es or, if the$ do, their wi&es ha&e alread$ entered a

monaster$, or ha&in' ta#en a &ow of continence, permission )to enter one* has been

'ranted to them b$ authorit$ of the bishop of the diocese, and the wi&es are of such an

a'e that suspicion cannot arise concernin' them, let them sa$ unto these the word of the

%ol$ ospel, that the$ should 'o and sell all that is their own and stri&e to 'i&e it to the

poor. :ut if the$ cannot do this, a 'ood will suffices for them.

And let the friars and their ministers beware, lest the$ be solicitous concernin' their

temporal thin's, so that the$ ma$ freel$ do with their own thin's, whate&er the -ordwill ha&e inspired them. If howe&er counsel is re?uired, let the ministers ha&e

permission to send them to other od fearin' men, b$ whose counsel their 'oods ma$

be spent on the poor. Afterwards let them 'rant them the clothes of probation, that is,

two tunics without a capuche, a cord , breeches, and a caparone e;tendin' to the cord,

unless it seems to the same ministers )that it should be* otherwise accordin' to od.

%a&in' trul$ finished the $ear of probation, let them be recei&ed to obedience,

promisin' to obser&e alwa$s this life and (ule.

And in no manner will it be licit for them to 'o forth from this reli'ious institute,

accordin' to the command of the -ord Pope, because accordin' to the %ol$ ospel Noone putting hand to the plow and turning back is fit for the Kingdom of God.0-# 672


17/61

And let those who ha&e alread$ promised obedience ha&e a tunic with a capuche, and if

the$ wish to ha&e it, another without a capuche. And let those who are dri&en b$

necessit$ be able to wear footwear. And let all the friars wear cheep clothin' and be able

to patch these with sac#@cloth and other pieces with the blessin' of od. I warn ande;hort them, not to despise nor ud'e men, whom the$ see clothed with soft and

coloured clothes, usin' daint$ food and drin#, but rather let each one ud'e and despise

his &er$ self.

CHAPTERIII

C#$%&$($) *+& /(6($& #22(%& .$/ 2.*($)8 .$/ ($ -+.* 9.$$& *+& 5#*+& #4)+*

*# )# *+#4)+ *+& -#1/7

"lerics are to perform the di&ine office accordin' to the rder of the (oman "hurch,

e;cept for the psalter, for which the$ can ha&e bre&iaries.

-et the la$men indeed sa$ twent$@four /ur Fathers5 for matins3 for lauds fi&e 3 for

prime, terce, se;t and none, for each of these se&en, for &espers, howe&er, twel&e3 for

compline se&en3 and let them pra$ for the dead.

And let them fast from the Feast of All saints until "hristmas. Indeed ma$ those who

&oluntaril$ fast the hol$ lent, which be'ins at Bphiphan$ and for the fort$ da$s that

follow, which the -ord consecrated with %is own hol$ fast, be blessed b$ the -ord, and

let those who do not wish to do so not be constrained. :ut let them fast the other lent

until the da$ of the (esurrection of the -ord.

At other times howe&er the$ are not bound to fast, e;cept on Frida$s. Indeed in time of

manifest necessit$ the friars are not bound to the corporal fast.

Indeed, I counsel, warn and e;hort m$ friars in the -ord !esus "hrist, that when the$ 'o

about throu'h the world, the$ are not to ?uarrel nor contend in words, nor are the$ to

ud'e others, but the$ are to be mee#, peaceable and modest, mee# and humble,

spea#in' upri'htl$ to all, as is fittin'. And the$ should not ride horsebac#, unless the$

are dri&en to do so b$ manifest necessit$ or infirmit$.

Into whatever house the$ ma$ enter, first let them sa$ Peace to this house.Andaccordin' to the %ol$ ospel it is lawful to eat of an$ of the foods, which are placed

before them.

CHAPTERIV

T+.* *+& 5#*+& +#41/ $#* &%&(6& 9#$&37

I firml$ command all the friars, that in no manner are the$ to recei&e coins or mone$

throu'h themsel&es or throu'h an interposed person. %owe&er for the necessities of the

infirm and for the clothin' of the other friars, onl$ the ministers and the custodes are to

conduct a solicitous care, b$ means of spiritual friends, accordin' to places and seasons


18/61

and cold re'ions, as the$ see e;pedites necessit$3 with this alwa$s preser&ed, that, as

has been said, the$ do not recei&e coins nor mone$.

CHAPTERV

O$ *+& 9.$$& #2 -#:($)7

-et those friars, to whom the -ord 'i&es the 'race to wor#, wor# faithfull$ and

de&otedl$, in such a wa$ that, ha&in' e;cluded idleness, the enem$ of the soul, the$ do

not e;tin'uish the spirit of hol$ pra$er and de&otion, which all other temporal thin's

should ser&e Mealousl$. Indeed concernin' the wa'es of labour, let them recei&e for

themsel&es and for their friars what is for the necessit$ of the bod$, e;cept coins or

mone$, and this )the$ should do* humbl$, as befits the ser&ants of od and the followers

of most hol$ po&ert$.

CHAPTERVI

T+.* *+& F(. .& *# .00#0(.*& $#*+($) 2# *+&9&16&, .$/ %#$%&$($) *+&

5&))($) #2 .19 .$/ (%: 2(.7

-et the Friars appropriate nothin' for themsel&es, neither house nor place, nor an$

thin'. And as pil'rims and e;iles in this a'e let them 'o about for alms confidentl$, as

ones ser&in' the -ord in po&ert$ and humilit$, nor is it proper that the$ be ashamed )to

do so*, since the -ord made %imself poor in this world for us. This is that loftiness of

most hi'h po&ert$, which has established $ou, m$ most dear Friars, as heirs and #in's of

the Nin'dom of %ea&en, ma#in' $ou poor in thin's, it has raised $ou hi'h in &irtues.-et this be $our /portion, which leads $ou /into the land of the living . "lea&in'

totall$ to this, most belo&ed Friars, ma$ $ou want to ha&e nothin' other under hea&en in

perpetuit$, for the sa#e of the Came of ur -ord !esus "hrist.

And, where&er the friars are and find themsel&es, let them mutuall$ show themsel&es to

be amon' their famil$ members. And let them without fear manifest to one another their

own need, since, if a mother nourishes and lo&es her own son accordin' to the flesh,

how much more dili'entl$ should he lo&e and nourish his own spiritual brother

And, if an$ of them should fall into infirmit$, the other friars should care for him, as

the$ would want to be cared for themsel&es.

CHAPTERVII

O$ *+& 0&$.$%& *# 5& (90#&/ #$ F(. -+# .& ($$($)7

If an$ of the friars, at the insti'ation of the enem$, should sin mortall$, for those sins,

concernin' which it has be ordained amon' the friars, that one ha&e recourse to the

4inisters pro&incial alone, the aforesaid friars are bound to ha&e recourse to them as

soon as the$ can, without dela$. Indeed let the 4inisters themsel&es, if the$ are priests,

with merc$ enoin upon them a penance3 if indeed the$ are not priests, let them ha&e it

enoined b$ other priests of the order, as it will seem to them to better e;pedite )the


19/61

matter* accordin' to od. And the$ should beware, not to 'row an'r$ and be distressed

on account of the sin of another, since an'er and distress impede charit$ in themsel&es

and in others.

CHAPTERVIII

O$ *+& &1&%*(#$ #2 *+& M($(*& )&$&.1 #2 *+( 2.*&$(*38 .$/ #$ *+& C+.0*& .*

P&$*&%#*7

All the friars are bound to ha&e alwa$s one of the friars of this &er$ same reli'ion as

4inister 'eneral and ser&ant of the whole fraternit$ and the$ are bound firml$ to obe$

him.


20/61

friars are, who #now and understand, that the$ themsel&es are not able to obser&e the

rule spirituall$, the$ should and can ha&e recourse to their ministers. Indeed let the

ministers recei&e them charitabl$ and #indl$ and be so familiar with them, that the$ can

spea# to them and act as lords with their ser&ants3 for so it should be, because the

ministers are the ser&ants of all the friars.

Indeed I warn and e;hort the friars in the -ord !esus "hrist, that the$ beware of all

pride, &ain 'lor$, en&$, avarice, care and solicitude for this a'e, detraction and

murmurin', and that those who are i'norant of letters not care to learn letters3 but let

them stri&e, so that abo&e all thin's the$ should desire to ha&e the Spirit of the -ord and

%is hol$ operation, to pra$ alwa$s to %im with a pure heart and to ha&e humilit$, and

patience in persecution and in infirmit$, and to lo&e those who persecute and correct and

accuse us, because the -ord sa$s, ove !our enemies" pra! for those who persecute

and calumniate !ou04t. >88. #lessed are those who suffer persecution for $ustice%s

sake" for theirs is the kingdom of heaven04t. >19. &e who has persevered until the

end" however" will be saved04t. 1922.

CHAPTERXI

T+.* *+& 5#*+& +#41/ $#* &$*& *+& 9#$.*&(& #2 $4$7

I firml$ command all the brothers not to ha&e suspicious compan$ or con&ersation with

women, and not to enter the monasteries of nuns, e;cept those )friars* to whom special

permission has been conceded b$ the Apostolic See3 neither are the$ to be 'odfathers of

men or women )so that* scandal ma$ not arise on this account amon' the friars nor

concernin' them.

CHAPTERXII

C#$%&$($) *+#& )#($) .9#$) *+& S..%&$ .$/ #*+& ($2(/&17

-et whome&er of the friars who b$ di&ine inspiration wants to 'o amon' the Saracens

and other infidels see# permission for that reason from their minister pro&incial. Indeed

the ministers are to 'rant permission to 'o to none, e;cept those whom seems to be fit to

be sent.

For which sa#e I enoin the ministers b$ obedience, to see# from the -ord Pope one ofthe cardinals of the (oman "hurch, who is to be the 'o&ernor, protector, and corrector

of this fraternit$, so that alwa$s subect and prostrate at the feet of this same %ol$

"hurch, stable in the "atholic Faith we ma$ obser&e, what we ha&e firml$ promised

the po&ert$ and humilit$ and the %ol$ ospel of ur -ord !esus "hrist.

THETESTAMENTOFSAINTFRANCIS


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1. Thus did the -ord 'rant to me, friar Francis, to be'in to do penance who when I was

e;ceedin'l$ in m$ sins, to see lepers seemed a bitter thin' to me.

2. And the -ord %imself led me amon' them and I wor#ed merc$ amon' them.

E. And when I was fleein' from them, because it seemed to be a bitter thin', it was

chan'ed for me in to sweetness of soul and bod$3 and I remained for a little whileafterward and then I went forth from the world.

8. And the -ord 'ranted me such faith in churches, that I would pra$ simpl$ and sa$

>. /. And I with a few words and simpl$ had it written and the -ord Pope confirmed it for

me.17. And those who were comin' to recei&e life, used to 'i&e /all that the$ possibl$ had5

to the poor3 and the$ used to be content with one tunic, patched inside and out, with a

cincture and with breeches.

1=. And we did not use to want to ha&e more.

1.


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21. Those who do not #now how, let them learn, not on account of the cupidit$ to

recei&e a price for wor#, but on account of the e;ample it 'i&es to repel idleness.

22. And when the price for the wor# is not 'i&en to us, let us ha&e recourse to the table

of the -ord, b$ as#in' for alms from door to door.

2E. The -ord re&ealed to me a 'reetin', that we should sa$ /The -ord 'rant $oupeace5

28. -et all the friars beware of themsel&es, so that the churches, the little poor, little

dwellin's and e&er$thin', which are constructed for them, the$ do not inwardl$ recei&e,

unless the$ be, as befits the hol$ po&ert$, which we ha&e promised in the (ule, alwa$s

dwellin' there as stran'ers and pil'rims.

2>. I firml$ command all the friars b$ obedience, that where&er the$ are, the$ do not

dare to see# an$ letter in the (oman "uria, b$ means of themsel&es nor b$ an interposed

person, nor on behalf of a church nor on behalf of another place nor under the

appearance of preachin' nor because of a persecution of their bodies327. but wheresoe&er the$ ha&e not been recei&ed, let them flee into another land to do

penance with the blessin' of od.

2=. And I firml$ want to obe$ the 4inister eneral of this fraternit$ and an$ 'uardian,

whom it would please him to 'i&e me.

2. And I want to be so capti&e in his hands, that I would not be able to 'o or do be$ond

obedience and his will, because he is m$ lord.

26. And althou'h I am simple and infirm, ne&ertheless I want to alwa$s ha&e a cleric,

who will recite the office for me, as is contained in the (ule.

E9. And all the other friars are bound to li#ewise obe$ their 'uardians and recite the

office accordin' to the rule.

E1. And those, who are found, which would not recite the office accordin' to the (ule,

and want to &ar$ it in another manner, or are not "atholics, all the friars, wheresoe&er

the$ mi'ht find an$ of these, ou'ht to present them before the nearest custos of that

place, where the$ found him.

E2. And the custos is firml$ bound b$ obedience to 'uard him stron'l$, ust li#e a man

in chains da$ and ni'ht, so that he is not able to be snatched from their hands, until he in

person presents him into the hands of his 4inister.

EE. And the minister is firml$ bound b$ obedience to send him b$ means of such friars,that da$ and ni'ht the$ ma$ 'uard him as a man in chains, until the$ present him before

the lord of stia, who is the lord, protector and corrector of the whole fraternit$.

E8. And the friars are not to sa$ /This is another (ule,5 because this is a remembrance,

an admonition, an e;hortation and m$ testament, that I friar Francis, the tin$ one, ma#e

for $ou, m$ blessed friars, for the sa#e of this, that we mi'ht obser&e the (ule, which

we ha&e promised the -ord, in a more catholic wa$.

E>. And the 4inister eneral and all the other 4inisters and custodes are bound b$

obedience, not to add to these words nor ta#e awa$.

E7. And the$ are to ha&e this writin' with them alwa$s, ne;t to the (ule.

E=. And in all the chapters that are con&ened, when the$ read the (ule, let them read

these words also.


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E. And all m$ friars, clerics and la$, I firml$ command b$ obedience, that the$ are not

to place 'losses upon the (ule, not e&en b$ sa$in' in these words /Thus the$ are to be

understood.5

E6. :ut as the -ord 'ranted me simpl$ and purel$ to sa$ and write the (ule and thesewords, so $ou should understand them simpl$ and without 'loss and obser&e them with

hol$ wor# until the end.

89. And whosoe&er will ha&e obser&ed these, ma$ he be filled in hea&en with the

blessin' of the 4ost %i'h Father and on earth with the blessin' of %is belo&ed Son with

the 4ost %ol$ Spirit and all the powers of %ea&en and all the saints.

81. And I, friar Francis, $our tin$ ser&ant, in as much as I am able, confirm for $ou,

inside and out, this 4ost %ol$ :lessin'.

HISWORDSOFSACREDADMONITIONTOALLTHEBROTHERS

7 O$ *+& B#/3 #2 *+& L#/

The -ord !esus sa$s to %is disciples /I am the


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Altar into the hands of the Priest. And ust as to the hol$ Apostles in true flesh, so e&en

now %e shows %imself to us in the Sacred :read. And ust as when the$ 'aMed at his

&er$ own fleah the$ saw onl$ %is flesh, but contemplatin' with their spiritual e$es

belie&ed %im to be od, so e&en we seein' bread and wine with our bodil$ e$es, ma$

see and firml$ belie&e them e&en to be %is 4ost %ol$ :od$ and :lood, li&in' and true.And in such a manner the -ord is alwa$s %is faithful ones, ust as %e sa$s /:ehold I

am with $ou e&en to the comsumation of the a'e5 0cf. 4t. 229

7 O$ *+& -(%:&/$& #2 #$&' #-$ -(1241$&

The -ord said to Adam /f e&er$ tree eat, howe&er of the tree of 'ood and e&il $ou

shall not eat5 0cf. en 217.1=. f e&er$ tree of paradise he could ha&e eaten, since

while he did not 'o a'ainst obedience, he did not sin. For he eats of the tree of the

#nowled'e of 'ood, who appropriates his own will to himself and e;alts himself on

account of the 'ood thin's, which the -ord sa$s and wor#s in him3 and so b$ means of

the su''estion of the de&il and the trans'ression of the command it is made the fruit ofthe #nowled'e of e&il.


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:e attenti&e, oh man, in $ou the -ord od has placed so man$ e;cellent thin's, since

%e created and formed $ou to the ima'e of %is own belo&ed Son accordin' to the bod$

and to %is li#ness accordin' to the spirit 0cf. en. 127. And all creatures, which are

under hea&en, after $ou ser&e, #now and obe$ the "reator better than $ou. And e&en thedemons did not crucif$ %im, but $ou with them ha&e crucified %im and e&en now $ou

crucifi$ %im b$ deli'htin' in &ices and sins. Therefore how can $ou 'lor$ For if $ou

were so subtle and wise that $ou had all science and #new to interpret e&er$ #ind of

toun'e 0cf. 1 "or 122 and to search subtl$ after celestial thin's, in all these thin's

$ou cannot 'lor$3 since one demon #new of celestial thin's and now #nows of earthl$

thin's more than all men, e&enthou'h there be one, who recei&ed from the -ord a

special understandin' of the hi'hest wisdom. Similarl$ e&en if $ou be more handsome

and wealth$ than all and e&en if $ou were to wor# miracles, as would put to fli'ht

demons, all those thin's would be inurious to $ou and none of them would pertain to

$ou nor could $ou 'lor$ in them. :ut in this we can 'lor$, in our infirmities 0cf. 2 "or

12> and in bearin' each da$ the %ol$ "ross of ur -ord !esus "hrist 0-# 182=.

=7 O$ *+& (9(*.*(#$ #2 *+& L#/

-et us be attenti&e, all friars, to the ood Shepherd, who endured the passion of the

"ross to sa&e %is won sheep. The sheep of the -ord ha&e followed %im in tribulation

and persecution, shame and hun'er, in infirmit$ and temptation and other thin's3 and on

account of these the$ ha&e recei&ed from the -ord e&erlastin' life.


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The -ord sa$s /-o&e $our enemies )do 'ood to those who hate $ou, and pra$ for those

who are persecutin' and calumniatin' $ou* 04t >88. For he trul$ lo&es his enem$,

who does not 'rie&e o&er the inur$, which has been done to himself, but for the sa#e of

the lo&e of od burns on account of the sin a'ainst his own soul. And mansfiests lo&e

for such a one in deeds.

7 O$ *+& %+.*(&9&$* #2 *+& 5#/3

There are man$, who while the$ sin or recei&e inur$, often blame their enem$ or

nei'hbor. :ut such is not the case since each one has under his own power the enem$,

namel$ the bod$, throu'h which he sins. .

That ser&ant of od, who does not 'row an'r$ nor disturbes himself on account of

another, li&es ri'htl$ without an$thin' of his own. And blessed is he, who does not let

an$thin' remain behind for himself, returnin' those thin's which are "aesar+s to "aesar,

and those which are od+s to od 04t. 2221

7 O$ &%#)$(($) *+& 0((* #2 G#/

Thus can the ser&ant of od be #nown, if he has the spirit of the -ord when the -ord

wor#s throu'h him an$thin' 'ood, if his flesh for that reason does not e;alt itself, since

it is alwa$s contrar$ to e&er$ 'ood, but if rather he holds himself up before his own e$es

as more &ile and esteemes himself less that all men.

"7 O$ 0.*(&$%&

:lessed are the peacema#ers, since the$ shall be called sons of od 04t. >6. The

ser&ant of od cannot #now how much patience and humilit$ he has in himself, so lon'

as is self satisfied. %owe&er when there comes the time, which those who ou'ht to

satisf$ him, do the contrar$ to him, as much patience and humilit$ as is there, that muchhe has and not more.

;7 O$ 0#6&*3 #2 0((*

:lessed are the poor in spirit, since their is the Nin'dom of %ea&en 04t. >E. There are

man$, who persistin' in pra$ers and offices practice man$ abstinences and ma#e afflict

their own bodies, but on account of a sin'le word, which seems to be inurious of their

bodies or on account of an$thin', which is brou'ht a'ainst them are, li#e the

scandaliMed, continuall$ disturbed. These are not poor in spirit3 since he who trul$ is

poor in spirit, hates himself and lo&es those who beat him in the face 0cf. 4t >E6


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6. Those are

true peacema#ers, who concerin' all those in thin's, which the$ suffer in this a'e,

preser&e peace in soul and bod$ for the lo&e of ur -ord !esus "hrist.

=7 O$ %1&.$1($& #2 +&.*

:lessed are clean of heart, since the$ themel&es shall see od 04t. >. Trul$ are the$

clean in heart who despise earthl$ thin's, see# hea&enl$ ones and alwa$s withdraw from

adorin' and beholdin' ur -ord, li&in' and true, with a clean heart and soul.

>7 O$ *+& +4951& &6.$* #2 G#/

:lessed is that ser&ant 04t 2887, who does not e;alt himself more on account of the

'ood, which the -ord sa$s and wor#s throu'h him, than that which %e sa$s and wor#sthrou'h another. A man sins, who desires rather to recei&e from his nei'hbor, what he,

of himself, does not want to 'i&e to the -ord od.

?7 O$ %#90.(#$ 2# #$&' $&()+5#

:lessed is the man, who supports his nei'hbor on account of his frailt$, to the e;tent

that he would want to be supported b$ him, if he were to fall into a similiar situation.

:lessed is the ser&ant who returns all his 'ood to the -ord od, since he who retains

an$thin' conceals within himself the mone$ of the -ord his od 04t 2>1 and what

he thou'ht he had will be born awa$ from him 0-# 1.

@7 O$ *+& +4951& &6.$* #2 G#/

:lessed is the ser&ant, who does not consider himself better, when he is ma'nified and

e;alted b$ men, than when he is considered to be &ile, simple, and despised, since as

much as he is 'ood before od, that he is and nothin' more.


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216.>1 the 'ood thin's, which the -ord displa$s to himself, and does not displa$ them

to others in deed, but for the sa#e of reward desires to displa$ them rather in words to

men. %e himself has recei&ed his reward 0cf. 4t. 723 717 and his hearers brin' bac#

little fruit.

7 O$ %#&%*(#$

:lessed is the ser&ant who would endure discipline, accusation and rebu#e as patientl$

from another as from himself. :lessed is the ser&ant, who ha&in' been rebu#ed,

ac?uiesces #indl$, submits mee#l$, confesses humbl$ and ma#es satisfaction freel$.

:lessed is the ser&ant, who is not swift to e;cuse himself and humbl$ endures shame

and rebu#e on account of sin, where he has not commited an$ fault.

"7 O$ +49(1(*3

:lessed is the ser&ant, who is found to be as humble amon' his own subects, as whenhe is amon' his own superiors. :lessed is the ser&ant, who remains under the rod of

correction. A faithful and prudent ser&ant is he 0cf. 4t. 288>, who does not dela$ to

punish all his own offenses interiorl$ b$ contrition and e;teriorl$ b$ confession and

wor#s of satisfaction.

;7 O$ *4& 1#6&

:lessed is the ser&ant, who would so lo&e his own brother, when he is infirm and cannot

repa$ him, as when he is health$ and can repa$ him.

7 O$ *+& 6(*4& #2 21&&($) 6(%&


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there is neither cupidit$ nor a&arice.


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In the Came of the hi'hest Trinit$ and %ol$ Lnit$ of the Father, and of the Son, and of

the %ol$ Spirit. Amen

To all the re&erend and much belo&ed friars, to friar C., 4inister eneral of the reli'ionof the Friars 4inor, their lord, and to the others, who will be 4inisters eneral after

him, and to all the ministers and custodes and humble priests in "hrist of the same

fraternit$ and to all the simple and obedient friars, first and last, Friar Francis, &ile and

fallen, $our tin$ little ser&ant, sends 'reetin's in %im who redeemed and washed us in

%is most precious :lood 0cf. Apoc 1>, upon hearin' whose Came, $ou are to adore

%im with fear and re&erence /prostrate upon the 'round5 0cf. 2 Bsdr 7, the -ord

!esus "hrist, /Son of the 4ost %i'h5 is %is Came 0cf. -# 1E2, /who is blessed

throu'hout the a'es.5 0(om 1,2>

-isten, sons of the -ord and brothers mine, /and turn $our ears to m$ words5 0Acts

218. /Incline the ear5 0Is >>E of $our heart and obe$ the &oice of the Son of od.Neep with all $our heart %is mandates and fulfil %is counsels with a pure mind.

/"onfess5 %im /since %e is 'ood5 0Ps 1E>1, and /e;alt5 %im /in $our wor#s5 0Tob

1E73 /since for that reason5 %e sent $ou 0cf Tob 1E8 into the whole world, so that b$

word and wor# $ou ma$ 'i&e testimon$ to %is &oice and ma#e all #now, that /there is

no mnipotent besides %im5 0cf Tob 1E8. /In discipline5 and hol$ obedience

/perse&ere5 0%eb 12= and fulfill what $ou ha&e promised %im with a 'ood and firm

resolution. 4a$ the -ord /od5 offer us /as sons5 to %imself. 0cf %eb 12=

And so I entreat all of $ou friars with a #iss upon $our feet and with that charit$, of

which I am able, to e;hibit e&er$ re&erence and e&er$ honour, as much as $ou can, to

the 4ost %ol$ :od$ and :lood of ur -ord !esus "hrist, in whom e&er$thin' in the

hea&ens and e&er$thin' on earth are, are pacified and are reconciled to the omnipotent

od 0cf "ol 129

I be' also in the -ord that all $our m$ friar priests, who are or will be or desire to be

priests of the 4ost %i'h, that whensoe&er $ou ma$ want to celebrate 4ass, $ou do so

pure and faultlessl$ with re&erence to the true sacrifice of the 4ost %ol$ :od$ and

:lood of ur -ord !esus "hrist, with a hol$ and clean intention, not for an$ earthl$

thin' for out of fear of lo&e for an$ human, as pleasers of men do 0cf Bph 773 "ol

E223 but let e&er$ will, as much as 'race helps it, be directed to od, desirin' for that

reason to please solel$ the %i'hest -ord %imself, because %e alone is at wor# there, asit pleases %im3 since ust as %e himself sa$s /Do this in 4$ memor$5 0-# 22,163 1 "or

11,28, if an$one would do otherwise, he would become the traitor, !udas, and be

/answerable for the :od$ and :lood of the -ord / 0cf 1 "or 112=.

(emember m$ friar priests, what is written in the law of 4oses, how one trans'ressin'

in corporals thin's died without an$ pit$ b$ the sentence of the -ord 0cf %eb 192.

/%ow much5 more and /worse5 does one merit to suffer /torments, who tramples

underfoot the Son of od and rec#ons the :lood of the Testament,in which he was

sanctified, to be defiled, and insults the Spirit of 'race5 0%eb 1926. For a man

despises, defiles, and tramples underfoot the -amb of od, when, as the Apostles sa$s,

/not reco'niMin'5 01 "or 1126 nor discernin' the "hrist+s sacred :read from other


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foods or wor#s, or eatin' unworthil$ or e&en, if he is worth$, eatin' &ainl$ and as one

unworth$, since the -ord sa$s throu'h the Prophet /"ursed be5 the man, /who5 does

the wor# of od /fraudulentl$5 0cf !er 819. And the priests, who do not want to #eep

this at heart, %e in truth condemns sa$in' /I will curse $our blessin's5 04al 22.

-isten, m$ friars if the blessed Vir'in is so honoured, as is ri'ht, because She carried

%im in %er most hol$ womb3 if the blessed :aptist trembled and did not dare to touch

the crown of the head )sanctum &erticem* of od3 if the sepulchre, in which %e la$ for

some time is so &enerated, how hol$, ust and worth$ ou'ht he to be, who holds in his

hands and recei&es in the mouth and offers to others to be recei&ed %im who will die no

more, but who will fore&er con?uer and be 'lorified, upon whom /the an'els lon' to

'aMe5 01 Pt 112

/See $our5 di'nit$, /friar5 0cf 1 "or 127 priests, and be hol$, because %e himself is

%ol$ 0cf -& 162. And ust as be$ond all others on account of this ministr$ the -ord

od has honoured $ou, so e&en $ou are to lo&e, re&ere, and honour %im be$ond allothers. reat miseries and miserable infirmit$, when $ou hold %im so near and $ou care

for an$thin' else in the whole world. -et the entire man tremble with fear, let the whole

world be'in to tremble, and let hea&en e;ult, when there is upon the Altar in the hand of

the priest /"hrist, the Son of the li&in' od5 0!n 112= admirable hei'ht and

stupendous esteem loft$ humilit$ humble loftiness, which the -ord of the

uni&erse, od and the Son of od, so humbles %imself3 that for our sal&ation under the

limited, little form of bread, hides %imself See, friars, the humilit$ of od and /pour

out $our hearts before %im5 0Ps 7163 humble e&en $oursel&es, so that $ou ma$ be

e;alted b$ %im 0cf 1 Pt >73 !m 819. Therefore #eep nothin' of $oursel&es for

$oursel&es, so that %e ma$ recei&e $ou whole, because %e manifests %imself wholl$ to

$ou.

I warn $ou therefore and e;hort $ou in the -ord, that in the places, in which the friars

are sta$in', onl$ one 4ass be celebrated durin' the da$ accordin' to the manner

)formam* of %ol$ "hurch. If in fact there are &er$ man$ priests in the place, let each be

content b$ means of the lo&e of charit$ to hear the celebration of the other priest3

because !esus "hrist fulfils )replet* those present and absent, who are worth$ of %im.


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Furthermore I confess all m$ sins to the -ord od, Father and Son and %ol$ Spirit, to

the :lessed 4ar$ B&er@Vir'in and to all the saints in %ea&en and on earth, to friar C. the

4inister of our reli'ion, as to m$ &enerable lord, and to the priests of our rder and to

all m$ other blest friars. In man$ thin's I ha&e offended out of m$ own 'ra&e fault, inparticular that I ha&e not #ept the (ule, which I ha&e promised the -ord, nor ha&e I said

the office, as the (ule commands, whether out of ne'li'ence or the occasion of m$

infirmit$ or because I am i'norant and an idiot. And therefore b$ all means I pra$, as I

am able, that friar C. m$ lord 4inister eneral, ha&e the (ule in&iolabl$ obser&ed b$

all3 and ha&e the clerics sa$ the office with de&otion in the presence of od )coram

Deo*, not attendin' to melod$ of &oice, but to the consonance of mind, so that &oice

a'rees with mind, and mind indeed a'rees with od, so that the$ mi'ht be able b$

purit$ of heart to please od and not with pla$fulness )lasci&itate* of &oice to tic#le

)demulcere* the ears of the people. For I promise to #eep these thin's firml$, as the -ord

mi'ht 'i&e me the 'race3 and that I will teach the friars, who are with me, that these

thin's are to be obser&ed in the office and in the other thin's established b$ the (ule.


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"onsider and see, that the da$ of death approaches 0cf en 8=26. I be' $ou therefore

with re&erence, as I am able, on account of the cares and solicitudes of this a'e not to

surrender the -ord to for'etfulness nor to turn awa$ from %is mandates, because all

those, /who5 surrender %im to for'etfulness and /turn awa$ from5 %is /mandates5

ha&e been /cursed5 0cf Ps 1121 and b$ %im /the$ will be surrendered tofor'etfulness5 0BM EE1E. And since the da$ of death will come, e&er$thin', which the$

thin# the$ ha&e, will be borne awa$ from them 0cf -# 1. And, in as much as the$

were wiser and more powerful in this world, so much 'reater will be the torments the$

will endure in %ell 0cf


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To Friar Anthon$, m$ bishop, Francis 0sends 'reetin's. It pleases me that $ou would

teach sacred theolo'$ to the friars, so lon' as in the stud$ of this $ou do not e;tin'uish

the spirit of pra$er and de&otion, ust as it sa$s in the (ule.

A L&**& *# *+& C1&)3

1. -et us attend, all clerics, to the 'reat sin and i'norance, which certain men ha&e

concernin' the 4ost %ol$ :od$ and :lood of ur -ord !esus "hrist and the most hol$

Cames and %is written words, which sanctif$ the :od$.

2.


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od 01 "or 218. Is not our piet$ stirred concernin' all these thin's, when the pious

-ord %imself offers %imself into our hands and we handle %im and consume %im each

da$ with our mouth r are we i'norant that we must 0one da$ fall into %is %and

Therefore let us correct ?uic#l$ all these thin's and the others3 and where&er the 4ost

%ol$ :od$ of ur -ord !esus "hrist has been illicitl$ placed and abandoned, let %im beremo&ed from that place and let them be placed in an honourable place. All these thin's

all the clerics to'ether are bound to obser&e accordin' to the precepts of the -ord and

the constitutions of %ol$ 4other "hurch. And those who will not ha&e done this, let

them #now that the$ must render an account before the -ord on the da$ of ud'ement

0cf. 4t 12E7. This has been written so that it ma$ better be obser&ed3 let them #now

themsel&es to be blessed b$ the -ord od, who would ha&e it copied.

A L&**& *# *+& C4*#/&

To the custodes of the whole of the Friars 4inor, to whom these letters will ha&e come

in the -ord od, $our ser&ant and little man, 0sends 'reetin's with new si'ns in

%ea&en and on earth, which are 'reat and most e;cellent before od and reputed least

b$ man$ reli'ious and other men. I be' $ou more than on m$ own account, in so far as

when it is fittin' and when $ou see that it is e;pedient, that $ou clerics should humbl$

re?uest that the 4ost %ol$ :od$ and :lood of ur -ord !esus "hrist and the %is %ol$

Cames and written words, which sanctif$ the :od$, should be &enerated abo&e all

thin's. "halices, corporals, the ornaments of the altar and all thin's which pertain to the

sacrifice, should be held precious. And if in an$ place the 4ost %ol$ :od$ of the -ord

will ha&e been &er$ poorl$ placed, accordin' to the mandate of the "hurch let %im be

put in a precious place b$ them and let %im be sealed up and with 'reat &eneration

borne about and with discretion ministered unto others. B&en the Cames and written

words of the -ord, where&er the$ be found in unclean places, let them be 'athered, and

the$ should be placed in a honourable place. And in e&er$ sermon, which $ou ma#e,

$ou should warn the people about punishment, and that no one can be sa&ed, e;cept him

who recei&es the 4ost %ol$ :od$ and :lood of the -ord 0cf. !n 7>8, and, when %e is

sacrificed b$ a priest upon the Altar and borne about in an$ part, let all the nations upon

bended #nee render praise, 'lor$ and honour to the -ord od li&in' and true. And on

account of %is praise in all 0parts of the countr$side alwa$s b$ the whole people, let

praise and than#s echo throu'h all the earth to od Almi'ht$. And, to whomsoe&er of

m$ friar custodes this writin' should come, both let them cop$ it and #eep 0a cop$ forthemsel&es and for the friars, who ha&e the office of preachin' and the custod$ of the

friars, let them ma#e copies and preach all the thin's, which are contained in this

writin', e&en until the end3 let them #now that the$ ha&e the blessin' of the -ord od

and of m$self. And this is 0to be for them a true and hol$ 0command of obedience.

Amen.

L&**& *# *+& F.(*+241 F(* &%&$(#$

A$ E+#*.*(#$ *# *+& B#*+& .$/ S(*& #2 P&$.$%&


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In the Came of the -ord

n those who do penance

All who lo&e the -ord with their whole heart, with their whole soul and mind, with alltheir &irtue 0cf. 4# 12E9 and lo&e their nei'hbours as the$ do themsel&es 0cf. 4t

22E6, and hold their bodies in hatred with its &ices and sins, and recei&e the :od$ and

:lood of ur -ord !esus "hrist, and brin' forth fruits worth$ of penance how

blessed and blest are those men and women, while the$ do such thin's and perse&ere in

them, since upon them rests the Spirit of the -ord 0cf. !n 182E, and the$ are sons of

their %ea&enl$ Father 0cf. 4t >8>, whose wor#s the$ do, and the$ are spouses, fathers

and mothers of ur -ord !esus "hrist 0cf. 4t 12>9.


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our own chaste bod$. :ut there are few, who want to recei&e %im and be sa&ed b$ %im,

thou'h %is $o#e is sweet and %is burden li'ht 0cf. 4t 11E9. Those who do not want

to taste how sweet the -ord is 0cf. Ps EE6 and lo&e shadows more than the -i'ht 0!n

E16 not wantin' to fulfil the commands of od, are cursed3 concernin' whom it is said

throu'h the prophet /"ursed are the$ who turn awa$ from Th$ "ommands.5 0Ps1121. :ut, o how blessed and blest are those who lo&e od and who do as the -ord

himself sa$s in the ospel /-o&e the -ord th$ od with $our whole heart and with

$our whole mind and $our nei'hbour as $our &er$ self 04t 22E=.E6. -et us therefore

lo&e od and adore %im with a pure heart and a pure mind, since %e %imself see#in'

abo&e all has said /True adorers will adore the Father in spirit and truth.5 0!n 82E For

it is proper that all, who adore %im, adore %im in the spirit of truth 0cf. !n 828. And let

us offer 0lit.5spea# to5 %im praises and pra$er da$ and ni'ht 0Ps E18 sa$in' /ur

Father who art in %ea&en5 04t 76, since it is proper that we alwa$s pra$ and not fail to

do what we mi'ht 0-# 11. If indeed we should confess all our sins to a priest, let us

also recei&e the :od$ and :lood of ur -ord !esus "hrist from him. %e who does not

eat %is Flesh and does not drin# %is :lood 0cf. !n 7>>.>=, cannot enter into theNin'dom of od 0!n E>. %owe&er let him eat and drin# worthil$, since he who

recei&es unworthil$ eats and drin#s ud'ement for himself, and he does not deudicate

the :od$ of the -ord 01 "or 1126, that is he does not discern it. In addition let us brin'

forth fruits worth$ of penance 0-# E. And let us lo&e our nei'hbours as our &er$

sel&es 0cf. 4t 22E6. And if one does not want to lo&e them as his &er$ self, at least he

does not char'e them with wic#ed thin's, but does 'ood 0to them. 4oreo&er let those

who ha&e recei&ed the power of ud'in' others e;ercise it with merc$, ust as the$

themsel&es wish to obtain merc$ from the -ord. For there will be ud'ement without

merc$ for those who ha&e not shown merc$ 0!ames 21E. And so let us ha&e charit$

and humilit$3 and let us 'i&e alms, since this washes souls from the filth of their sins 0cf.

Tob 8113 126. For men lose e&er$thin', which the$ lea&e in this world3 howe&er the$

carr$ with them the wa'es of charit$ and the alms, which the$ 'a&e, for which the$ will

ha&e from the -ord a 'ift and worth$ recompense. 883 -# 72=.


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a brother, but with all patience and humilit$ let him #indl$ admonish and support him.

8>, whose wor#s the$ do. And the$ are spouses, brothers and mothers

of ur -ord !esus "hrist 0cf. 4t 12>. 17. how

'lorious and hol$ and 'reat to ha&e in %ea&en a Father how hol$, to ha&e aParaclete, beautiful and admirable, as a spouse how hol$ and how belo&ed, pleasin',

humble, peaceable, sweet and lo&eable and abo&e all thin's desirable to ha&e such a

:rother and Son, who la$ down his life for %is sheep in the world, /the$ were Thine

and Thou has 'i&en them to 4e.5 0!n 1=7 /And the words, which Thou has 'i&en to

me, I ha&e 'i&en to them3 And the$ ha&e recei&ed these and #now trul$, that I ha&e 'one

forth from Thee and the$ ha&e belie&ed, that Thou has sent 4e5 0!n 1=3 /I be' for

them and not for the world5 0cf !n 1=63 /:less and sanctif$ them.5 0!n 1=1=. And

/for them I sanctif$ 4$ &er$ self, so that the$ ma$ be sanctified in5 one 0cf. !n 1=16

/ust as we5 are 0cf. !n 1=7. And /I wish, Father, that where I am the$ also ma$ be

with 4e, so that the$ ma$ see 4$ bri'htness5 0!n 1=28 /in Th$ Nin'dom5 04t 2921.

For %im, moreo&er, who endured so man$ thin' for us, conferred all 'ood thin's and

who will confer them in the future, let e&er$ creature, which is in %ea&en, on earth and

in the ab$ss return praise, 'lor$, honour, and blessin' to od 0cf Apoc >1E, since %e

%imself is our &irtue and stren'th, who is the onl$ ood, the onl$ 4ost %i'h, the onl$

Almi'ht$, admirable, 'lorious and who alone is hol$, worth$ of praise and blest

throu'hout the infinite a'es of a'es. Amen. 4oreo&er all those, who are in penance and

do not recei&e the :od$ and :lood of ur -ord !esus "hrist, and wor# &ices and ins,

and who wal# after wic#ed concupiscence and wic#ed desires, and who do not obser&e,

what the$ ha&e promised, and ser&e the world bodil$ with carnal desires, cares and the

an;ieties of this a'e and the cares of this li&e, ha&in' been decei&ed b$ the de&il, whose

sons the$ are and whose wor#s the$ do 0cf !n 81, are blind, since the$ do not see theTrue -i'ht, ur -ord !esus "hrist. The$ do not ha&e spiritual wisdom, who do not ha&e

the Son of od in themsel&es, %e who is the True


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nei'hbours and friends sa$in' /Dispose of $our thin's.5 :ehold his wife and his sons

and nei'hbours and friends fei'n weepin'. And loo#in' bac# he sees them weepin', he

is mo&ed b$ a wic#ed emotion3 thin#in' within himself he sa$s /:ehold m$ soul and

bod$ and all m$ thin's I place in $our hands.5 Trul$, this man is cursed, who confides

and casts his soul and bod$ and all his thin's into such hands3 whence the -ord throu'hthe prophet /"ursed the man who confides in man.5 0!er 1=> And immediatel$ the$

ma#e the priest come3 the priest sa$s to him /Do $ou want to recei&e a penance on

account of all $our sins5 %e answers /I do wish it.5 /Do $ou wish to satisf$ on

account of the sins $ou committed and those thin's of which $ou ha&e defrauded and

decei&ed men, as $ou are able from $our substance5 %e answers /Co.5 And the priest

sa$s3 /


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I, Friar Francis, the tin$ one )par&ulus*, want to follow the life and po&ert$ of ur 4ost

%i'h -ord !esus "hrist and of %is 4ost %ol$ 4other and to perse&ere in this e&en to

the end3 and I be' $ou, m$ ladies, and I 'i&e $ou counsel, that $ou li&e in this most hol$

life and po&ert$ alwa$s. And 'uard $oursel&es &er$ much, lest b$ the doctrine orcounsel of an$one $ou retreat from this in an$ manner fore&er.

AUDITEPOVERELLE

'he song (aint )rancis wrote for 'he *lares

In +,,-" (t )rancis% death was approaching.

&e was living in a wattle hut in the precincts of the )riar! b! (an amiano%s.

It is while he was there he wrote this song for (t *lare and her sisters.

-isten, little poor ones, whom the -ord has called

who ha&e come to'ether from all parts of the world3

4a$ the truth unite $ou, so that when $ou die,

on complete obedience $our trust ma$ rel$.

-oo# not to the outside for the life $ou li&e3

better far the bount$ that the spirit will 'i&e.

In 'reat lo&e, I be' $ou3 use od+s 'ifts with 'race,and that those who suffer ills ma$ bear them in peace.

Hou will sell $our burdens at a hi'her price,

and as ?ueens in hea&en $ou will wear crowns of life.

PEACEPRAYER

'his pra!er" although often attributed to (aint )rancis " was almost certainl! not written b! him. It apparentl! dates

from the earl! part of last centur!" and its author is unknown. It was found in Normand! in +/+-" written on the back

of a hol! card of (t. )rancis.

-ord, ma#e me an instrument of Hour peace.


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and is subect and submissi&e to all the men,

who are in the world and not onl$ to men,

but e&en to all the beasts and wildlife,

so that the$ mi'ht do with him, whate&er the$ will,

as much as it will ha&e been 'i&en themfrom abo&e b$ the -ord.

A SALUTETOTHEBLESSEDVIRGINMARY

%ail, hol$ -ad$, most hol$ ueen,

4ar$, 4other of od, e&er Vir'in.

Hou were chosen b$ the 4ost %i'h Father in hea&en,

consecrated b$ %im, with %is most %ol$ :elo&ed Son

and the %ol$ Spirit, the "omforter.

n $ou descended and still remains

all the fullness of 'race and e&er$ 'ood.

%ail, %is Palace.

%ail %is Tabernacle.

%ail %is (obe.

%ail %is %andmaid.

%ail, %is 4other.

And %ail, all hol$ Virtues, who, b$ 'race

and inspiration of the %ol$ Spirit,

are poured into the hearts of the faithful

so that from their faithless state,

the$ ma$ be made

faithful ser&ants of od throu'h $ou.

PRAYERINPRAISEOFGOD

Hou are hol$, -ord, the o

Documents

Francis Writing Seng