FIRST RULE OF THE FRIARS MINOR
Which St. Francis made and which Pope Innocent III confirmed without a
Bull.
In the Name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. This is the life that Brother Francis
begged might be conceded to him and confirmed by the Lord Pope Innocent. And he
[the Pope] has conceded and confirmed it to him and to his brothers present and
future.
Brother
Francis, and whoever may be at the head of this religion, promises obedience
and reverence to our Lord Pope Innocent and to his successors. And the other
brothers shall be bound to obey Brother Francis and his successors.
1.—That the Brothers ought to live in Obedience, without Property and
in Chastity.
The
Rule and life of these brothers is this: namely, to live in obedience and
chastity, and without property, and to follow the doctrine and footsteps of our
Lord Jesus Christ, who says: "If thou wilt be perfect, go sell what thou hast,
and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come, follow
Me." And: "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and
take up his cross and follow Me;" in like manner: "If any man come to
Me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren
and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple." "And
everyone that hath left father or mother, brothers or sisters, or wife, or
children or lands, for My sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall possess
life everlasting."
2.—Of the Reception and Clothing of the Brothers.
If
any one, wishing by divine inspiration to embrace this manner of life, comes to
our brothers, let him be kindly received by them. And if he be firmly resolved to
undertake our life, let the brothers take great care not to meddle with his
temporal affairs, but let them present him as soon as possible to their
minister. Let the minister receive him kindly, and encourage him, and
diligently explain to him the tenor of our life. This being done, if he be
willing and able, with safety of conscience and without impediment, let him
sell all his goods and endeavor to distribute them to the poor. But let the
brothers and the ministers of the brothers be careful not to interfere in any
way in his affairs, and let them not receive any money, either themselves or
through any person acting as intermediary; if however they should be in want,
the brothers may accept other necessaries for the body, money excepted, by
reason of their necessity, like other poor. And when he [the candidate] shall
have returned, let the minister grant him the habit of probation for a year;
that is to say, two tunics without a hood and cord and breeches and a chaperon reaching
to the girdle. The year of probation being finished, let him be received to
obedience. Afterwards it shall not be lawful for him to pass to another Order,
nor to "wander about beyond obedience," according to the commandment
of the Lord Pope. For according to the Gospel "no man putting his hand to
the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
If, however, anyone should present
himself who cannot without difficulty give away his goods, but has the
spiritual will to relinquish them, it shall suffice. No one shall be received
contrary to the form and institution of the holy Church.
But
the other brothers who have promised obedience may have one tunic with a hood,
and another without a hood, if necessity require it, and a cord and breeches.
And let all the brothers be clothed with mean garments, and they may mend them
with sackcloth and other pieces, with the blessing of God, for the Lord says in
the Gospel: they that are in costly apparel and live delicately and they that
are clothed in soft garments are in the houses of kings. And although they
should be called hypocrites, let them not cease to do good; let them not desire
rich clothes in this world, that they may possess a garment in the kingdom of
heaven.
3.—Of the Divine Office and of the Fast.
The Lord says: "This kind
[of devil] can go out by nothing but by fasting and prayer"; and again:
"When you fast be not as the hypocrites, sad." For this reason let
all the brothers, whether clerics or laics, say the Divine Office, the praises
and prayers which they ought to say. The clerics shall say the Office, and say
it for the living and the dead, according to the custom of clerics; but to
satisfy for the defect and negligence of the brothers, let them say every day
Miserere mei, with the Pater noster; for the deceased brothers let there say De
profundis, with Pater noster. And they may have only the books necessary to
perform their Office; and the lay-brothers who know how to read the Psalter may
also have one; but the others who do not know how to read may not have a book.
The lay-brothers however shall say: Credo in Deum, and twenty-four Paternosters
with Gloria Patri for Matins, but for Lauds, five; for Prime, Tierce, Sext, and
Nones, for each, seven Paternosters with Gloria Patri; for Vespers, twelve; for
Compline, Credo in Deum and seven Paternosters with Gloria Patri; for the dead,
seven Paternosters with Requiem aeternam; and for the defect and negligence of
the brothers, three Paternosters every day.
And
all the brothers shall likewise fast from the feast of All Saints until the
Nativity of our Lord, and from Epiphany, when our Lord Jesus Christ began to
fast, until Easter; but at other times let them not be bound to fast according
to this life except on Fridays. And they may eat of all foods which are placed
before them, according to the Gospel.
4.—Of the Ministers and the other Brothers: how they shall be ranged.
In
the Name of the Lord let all the brothers who are appointed ministers and
servants of the other brothers place their brothers in the provinces or places
where they may be, and let them often visit and spiritually admonish and
console them. And let all my other blessed brothers diligently obey them in
those things which look to the salvation of the soul and are not contrary to
our life. Let them observe among themselves what the Lord says:
"Whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you also to
them," and "what you do not wish done to you, do it not to
others." And let the ministers and servants remember that the Lord says: I
have not "come to be ministered unto, but to minister," and that to
them is committed the care of the souls of their brothers, of whom, if any
should be lost through their fault and bad example, they will have to give an
account before the Lord Jesus Christ in the day of judgment.
5.—Of the Correction of the Brothers who offend.
Therefore
take care of your souls and of those of your brothers, for "it is a
fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." If however one of
the ministers should command some one of the brothers anything contrary to our
life or against his soul, the brother is not bound to obey him, because that is
not obedience in which a fault or sin is committed. Nevertheless, let all the
brothers who are subject to the ministers and servants consider reasonably and
carefully the deeds of the ministers and servants. And if they should see any
one of them walking according to the flesh and not according to the spirit,
according to the right way of our life, after the third admonition, if he will
not amend, let him be reported to the minister and servant of the whole
fraternity in the Whitsun Chapter, in spite of any obstacle that may stand in
the way. If however among the brothers, wherever they may be, there should be
some brother who desires to live according to the flesh, and not according to
the spirit, let the brothers with whom he is admonish, instruct, and correct
him humbly and diligently. And if after the third admonition he will not amend,
let them as soon as possible send him, or make the matter known, to his
minister and servant, and let the minister and servant do with him what may
seem to him most expedient before God.
And
let all the brothers, the ministers and servants as well as the others, take
care not to be troubled or angered because of the fault or bad example of
another, for the devil desires to corrupt many through the sin of one; but let
them spiritually help him who has sinned, as best they can; for he that is
whole needs not a physician, but he that is sick.
In
like manner let not all the brothers have power and authority, especially among
themselves, for as the Lord says in the Gospel: "The princes of the
Gentiles lord it over them: and they that are the greater exercise power upon
them." It shall not be thus among
the brothers, but whosoever will be the greater among them, let him be their
minister and servant, and he that is the greater among them let him be as the
younger, and he who is the first, let him be as the last. Let not any brother
do evil or speak evil to another; let them rather in the spirit of charity
willingly serve and obey each other: and this is the true and holy obedience of
our Lord Jesus Christ. And let all the brothers as often soever as they may
have declined from the commandments of God, and wandered from obedience, know
that, as the prophet says, they are cursed out of obedience as long as they
continue consciously in such a sin. And when they persevere in the commandments
of the Lord, which they have promised by the holy Gospel and their life, let
them know that they abide in true obedience, and are blessed by God.
6.—Of the Recourse of the Brothers to their Ministers and that no
Brother may be called Prior.
Let
the brothers, in whatsoever places they may be, if they cannot observe our
life, have recourse as soon as possible to their minister, making this known to
him. But let the minister endeavor to provide for them in such a way as he
would wish to be dealt with himself if he were in the like case. And let no one
be called Prior, but let all in general be called Friars Minor. And let one
wash the feet of the other.
7.—Of the Manner of serving and working.
Let
the brothers in whatever places they may be among others to serve or to work,
not be chamberlains, nor cellarers, nor overseers in the houses of those whom
they serve, and let them not accept any employment which might cause scandal,
or be injurious to their soul, but let them be inferior and subject to all who
are in the same house.
And
let the brothers who know how to work, labor and exercise themselves in that
art they may understand, if it be not contrary to the salvation of their soul,
and they can exercise it becomingly. For the prophet says: "For thou shalt
eat the labors of thy hands; blessed art thou, and it shall be well with
thee"; 1 and the Apostle: "If any man will not work, neither let him
eat." And let every man abide in the art or employment wherein he was
called. And for their labor they may receive all necessary things, except
money. And if they be in want, let them seek for alms like other brothers. And
they may have the tools and implements necessary for their work. Let all the
brothers apply themselves with diligence to good works, for it is written:
"Be always busy in some good work, that the devil may find thee
occupied;" and again: "Idleness is an enemy to the soul." Therefore
the servants of God ought always to continue in prayer or in some other good
work.
Let
the brothers take care that wherever they may be, whether in hermitages or in
other places, they never appropriate any place to themselves, or maintain it
against another. And whoever may come to them, either a friend or a foe, a
thief or a robber, let them receive him kindly. And wherever the brothers are
and in whatsoever place they may find themselves, let them spiritually and
diligently show reverence and honor toward one another without murmuring. And
let them take care not to appear exteriorly sad and gloomy like hypocrites, but
let them show themselves to be joyful and contented in the Lord, merry and
becomingly courteous.
8.—That the Brothers must not receive Money.
The
Lord commands in the Gospel: "Take heed, beware of all malice and avarice
and guard yourselves from the solicitudes of this world, and the cares of this
life." Therefore let none of the brothers, wherever he may be or
whithersoever he may go, carry or receive money or coin in any manner, or cause
it to be received, either for clothing, or for books, or as the price of any
labor, or indeed for any reason, except on account of the manifest necessity of
the sick brothers. For we ought not to have more use and esteem of money and
coin than of stones. And the devil seeks to blind those who desire or value it
more than stones. Let us therefore take care lest after having left all things
we lose the kingdom of heaven for such a trifle. And if we should chance to
find money in any place, let us no more regard it than the dust we tread under
our feet, for it is "vanity of vanities, and all is vanity." And if perchance,
which God forbid, it should happen that any brother should collect or have
money or coin, except only because of the aforesaid necessity of the sick, let
all the brothers hold him for a false brother, a thief, a robber, and one
having a purse, unless he should become truly penitent. And let the brothers in
nowise receive money for alms or cause it to be received, seek it or cause it
to be sought, or money for other houses or places; nor let them go with any
person seeking money or coin for such places. But the brothers may perform all
other services which are not contrary to our life, with the blessing of God.
The brothers may however for the manifest necessity of the lepers ask alms for
them. But let them be very wary of money. But let all the brothers likewise
take great heed not to search the world for any filthy lucre.
9.—Of asking for Alms.
Let
all the brothers strive to follow the humility and poverty of our Lord Jesus
Christ, and let them remember that we ought to have nothing else in the whole
world, except as the Apostle says: "Having food and wherewith to be covered,
with these we are content." And they ought to rejoice when they converse
with mean and despised persons, with the poor and the weak, with the infirm and
lepers, and with those who beg in the streets. And when it may be necessary,
let them go for alms. And let them not be ashamed thereof, but rather remember
that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living and Omnipotent God, set His
face "as a hard rock," and was not ashamed, and was poor, and a
stranger, and lived on alms, He Himself and the Blessed Virgin and His
disciples. And when men may treat them with contempt, and refuse to give them
an alms, let them give thanks for this to God, because for these shames they shall
receive great honor before the tribunal of our Lord Jesus Christ. And let them
know that the injuries shall not be imputed to those who suffer them, but to
those who offer them. And alms is an inheritance and a right which is due to
the poor, which our Lord Jesus Christ purchased for us. And the brothers who
labor in seeking it will have a great recompense, and they will procure and
acquire a reward for those who give; for all that men leave in this world shall
perish, but for the charity and alms deeds they have done they will receive a
reward from God.
And
let one make known clearly his wants to another, in order that he may find and
receive what are necessary for him. And let everyone love and nourish his
brother as a mother loves and nourishes her son, in so far as God gives them
grace. And "let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and he
that eateth not, let him not judge him that eateth." And whensoever a
necessity shall arise, it is lawful for all the brothers, wherever they may be,
to eat of all food that men can eat, as our Lord said of David, who "did
eat the loaves of proposition, which was not lawful to eat but for the
priests." And let them remember what the Lord says: "and take heed to
yourselves, lest perhaps your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and
drunkenness, and the cares of this life: and that they come upon you suddenly.
For as a snare shall it come upon all that sit upon the face of the whole
earth." And in like manner in time of manifest necessity let all the brothers
act in their needs, as our Lord shall give them grace, for necessity has no
law.
10.—Of the sick Brothers.
If
any of the brothers fall into sickness, wherever he may be, let the others not
leave him, unless one of the brothers, or more if it be necessary, be appointed
to serve him as they would wish to be served themselves; but in urgent
necessity they may commit him to some person who will take care of him in his
infirmity. And I ask the sick brother that he give thanks to the Creator for
all things, and that he desire to be as God wills him to be, whether sick or
well; for all whom the Lord has predestined to eternal life are disciplined by
the rod of afflictions and infirmities, and the spirit of compunction; as the
Lord says: "Such as I love I rebuke and chastise." If, however, he be
disquieted and angry, either against God or against the brothers, or perhaps
ask eagerly for remedies, desiring too much to deliver his body which is soon
to die, which is an enemy to the soul, this comes to him from evil and he is
fleshly, and seems not to be of the brothers, because he loves his body more
than his soul.
11.—That the Brothers ought not to speak or detract, but ought to love
one another.
And
let all the brothers take care not to calumniate anyone, nor to contend in
words; let them indeed study to maintain silence as far as God gives them
grace. Let them also not dispute among themselves or with others, but let them
be ready to answer with humility, saying: "we are unprofitable
servants." And let them not be angry, for "whosoever is angry with
his brother shall be in danger of the judgment. And whosoever shall say to his
brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council. And whosoever shall say, Thou
fool, shall be in danger of hell fire." And let them love one another, as
the Lord says: "This is My commandment, that you love one another, as I
have loved you." And let them show their love by the works they do for
each other, according as the Apostle says: "let us not love in word or in tongue,
but in deed and in truth." Let them "speak evil of no man," nor
murmur, nor detract others, for it is written: "Whisperers and detractors
are hateful to God." And let them be "gentle, showing all mildness
toward all men." Let them not judge and not condemn, and, as the Lord
says, let them not pay attention to the least sins of others, but rather let
them recount their own in the bitterness of their soul. And let them
"strive to enter by the narrow gate," for the Lord says: "How
narrow is the gate, and strait is the way that leadeth to life, and few there
are that find it!"
12.—Of avoiding unbecoming Looks and the Company of Women.
Let
all the brothers, wherever they are or may go, carefully avoid unbecoming
looks, and company of women, and let no one converse with them alone. Let the
priests speak to them honestly, giving them penance or some spiritual counsel.
And let no woman whatsoever be received to obedience by any brother, but
spiritual counsel being given to her let her do penance where she wills. Let us
all carefully watch over ourselves, and hold all our members in subjection, for
the Lord says: "Whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her, hath
already committed adultery with her in his heart."
13.—Of the Punishment of Fornicators.
If
any brother by the instigation of the devil should commit fornication, let him
be deprived of the habit of the Order which he has lost by his base iniquity
and let him put it aside wholly, and let him be altogether expelled from our
religion. And let him afterwards do penance for his sins.
14.—How the Brothers should go through the World.
When
the brothers travel through the world, let them carry nothing by the way,
neither bag, nor purse, nor bread, nor money, nor a staff. And whatsoever house
they shall enter, let them first say, "Peace be to this house," and
remaining in the same house, let them eat and drink what things they have. Let them not resist evil, 4 but if anyone
should strike them on the cheek, let them turn to him the other; and if anyone
take away their garment, let them not forbid him the tunic also. Let them give
to everyone that asketh them, and if anyone take away their goods, let them not
ask them again.
15.—That the Brothers may not keep Beasts nor ride.
I
enjoin all the brothers, both clerics and laics, that when they travel through
the world, or reside in places, they in no wise, either with them or with
others or in any other way, have any kind of beast of burden. Nor is it lawful
for them to ride on horseback unless they are compelled by infirmity or great
necessity.
16.—Of those who go among the Saracens and other Infidels.
The
Lord says: "Behold, I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye
therefore wise as serpents and simple as doves." Wherefore, whoever of the
brothers may wish, by divine inspiration, to go among the Saracens and other
infidels, let them go with the permission of their minister and servant. But
let the minister give them leave and not refuse them, if he sees they are fit to
be sent; he will be held to render an account to the Lord if in this or in
other things he acts indiscreetly. The brothers, however, who go may conduct
themselves in two ways spiritually among them. One way is not to make disputes
or contentions; but let them be "subject to every human creature for God's
sake," yet confessing themselves to be Christians. The other way is that
when they see it is pleasing to God, they announce the Word of God, that they
may believe in Almighty God,—Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost, the Creator of
all, our Lord the Redeemer and Saviour the Son, and that they should be
baptized and be made Christians, because, "unless a man be born again of
water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
These
and other things which please God they may say to them, for the Lord says in
the Gospel: "Everyone that shall confess Me before men, I will also
confess him before My Father who is in heaven;" and "he that shall be
ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man shall be ashamed, when He
shall come in His majesty and that of His Father, and of the holy angels."
And
let all the brothers, wherever they may be, remember that they have given
themselves, and have relinquished their bodies to our Lord Jesus Christ; and
for love of Him they ought to expose themselves to enemies both visible and
invisible, for the Lord says: "Whosoever shall lose his life for My sake,
shall save it" in eternal life. "Blessed are they that suffer
persecution for justice’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." "If
they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you." If however they
should persecute you in one city, flee to another. "Blessed are ye when
they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against
you, untruly, for My sake." "Be glad in that day and rejoice, for
your reward is great in heaven." "I say to you, my friends, be not
afraid of them who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can
do." " See that ye are not troubled." "In your patience you
shall possess your souls." "But he that shall persevere unto the end,
he shall be saved."
17.—Of Preachers.
Let
none of the brothers preach contrary to the form and institution of the holy
Roman Church, and unless this has been conceded to him by his minister. But let
the minister take care that he does not grant this leave indiscreetly to
anyone. Nevertheless, let all the brothers preach by their works. And let no
minister or preacher appropriate to himself the ministry of brothers or the
office of preaching, but let him give up his office without any contradiction
at whatever hour it may be enjoined him. Wherefore I beseech in the charity
which God is all my brothers, preachers, prayers, or laborers, both clerics and
laics, that they study to humble themselves in all things and that they glory
not, nor rejoice, nor inwardly exalt themselves on account of good words and
works, nor indeed for any good which God may sometimes say or do and operate in
them or by them, according to what the Lord says: "But yet rejoice not, in
this that spirits are subject unto you." And let us know for certain that
nothing belongs to us but vices and sins. And we ought rather to rejoice when
we "fall into divers temptations," and when we bear some afflictions
or sorrows of soul or body in this world for the sake of eternal life. Let us
then all, brothers, avoid all pride and vainglory. Let us keep ourselves from
the wisdom of this world, and the prudence of the flesh; for the spirit of the world
wishes and cares much for words, but little for work; and it seeks not religion
and interior sanctity of spirit, but wishes and desires a religion and sanctity
appearing from without to men. And these are they of whom the Lord says:
"Amen, I say unto you, they have received their reward." But the
spirit of the Lord wishes the flesh to be mortified and despised, and to be
considered vile, abject, and contemptible; and it studies humility and
patience, pure simplicity, and true peace of mind, and always desires above all
things divine fear and divine wisdom, and the divine love of the Father, and
the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
And let us
refer all good to the Lord God most High and Supreme; let us acknowledge that
all good belongs to Him, and let us give thanks for all to Him from whom all
good proceeds. And may He, the most High and Supreme, only True God, have, and
may there be rendered to Him and may He receive, all honors and reverences, all
praises and benedictions, all thanks and all glory, to whom all good belongs,
who alone is good. And when we see or hear evil said or God blasphemed, let us
bless and thank and praise the Lord who is blessed for ever. Amen.
18.—How the Ministers should meet together.
Each
minister may assemble with his brothers every year wherever he may please on
the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, to
treat of those things which belong to God. And let all the ministers who are in
parts beyond the sea and beyond the mountains come once in three years, and the
other ministers once every year to the chapter on Whit Sunday, at the Church of
St. Mary of the Portiuncula, unless it be otherwise ordered by the minister and
servant of the whole brotherhood.
19.—That all the Brothers must live in a Catholic way.
Let
all the brothers be Catholics, and live and speak in a Catholic manner. But if
anyone should err from the Catholic faith and life in word or in deed, and will
not amend, let him be altogether expelled from our fraternity. And let us hold
all clerics and religious as our masters in those things which regard the
salvation of souls, if they do not deviate from our religion, and let us
reverence their office and order and administration in the Lord.
20.—Of the Confession of the Brothers and of the Reception of the Body
and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let
my blessed brothers, both clerics and laics, confess their sins to priests of
our religion. And if they cannot do this, let them confess to other discreet
and Catholic priests, knowing firmly and hoping that from whatever Catholic
priests they may receive penance and absolution, they will undoubtedly be
absolved from these sins if they take care to observe humbly and faithfully the
penance enjoined them. If however they cannot then have a priest, let them
confess to their brother, as the Apostle James says: "Confess your sins to
one another;" but let them not on this account fail to have recourse to
priests, for to priests alone the power of binding and loosing has been given.
And thus contrite and having confessed, let them receive the Body and Blood of
our Lord Jesus Christ with great humility and veneration, calling to mind what
the Lord Himself says: "He that eateth My Flesh and drinketh My Blood hath
everlasting life;" 1 and "Do this for a commemoration of Me."
21.—Of the Praise and Exhortation which all the Brothers may make.
And
this or the like exhortation and praise all my brothers may announce with the
blessing of God, whenever it may please them among whatever men they may be:
Fear and honor, praise and bless God, give thanks and adore the Lord God
Almighty in Trinity and Unity, Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost, the Creator of
all. "Do penance," bring forth fruits worthy of penance, for know
that we must soon die. "Give and it shall be given to you;" "Forgive,
and you shall be forgiven." And if you do not forgive men their sins, the
Lord will not forgive you your sins. Confess all your sins. Blessed are they
who shall die in penitence, for they shall be in the kingdom of heaven. Woe to
those who do not die in penitence, for they shall be the children of the devil,
whose works they do, and they shall go into eternal fire. Beware and abstain
from all evil, and persevere in good until the end.
22.—Of the Admonition of the Brothers.
Let
us all, brothers, give heed to what the Lord says: "Love your enemies, and
do good to them that hate you." For our Lord Jesus, whose footsteps we
ought to follow, called His betrayer friend, and offered Himself willingly to
His crucifiers. Therefore all those who unjustly inflict upon us tribulations
and anguishes, shames and injuries, sorrows and torments, martyrdom and death,
are our friends whom we ought to love much, because we gain eternal life by
that which they make us suffer. And let us hate our body with its vices and
sins, because by living carnally it wishes to deprive us of the love of our
Lord Jesus Christ and eternal life, and to lose itself with all else in hell;
for we by our own fault are corrupt, miserable, and averse to good, but prompt
and willing to evil; because, as the Lord says in the Gospel: from the heart of
men proceed and come evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts,
covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, false
testimonies, blasphemy, foolishness. All these evils come from within, from the
heart of man, and these are what defile a man.
But
now, after having renounced the world, we have nothing else to do but to be
solicitous, to follow the will of God, and to please Him. Let us take much care
that we be not the wayside, or the stony or thorny ground, according to what
the Lord says in the Gospel: The seed is the word of God. And that which fell
by the wayside and was trampled under foot are they that hear the word and do
not understand; then the devil cometh, and snatcheth that which has been sown
in their hearts and taketh the word out of their hearts, lest believing they
should be saved. But that which fell upon the rock are they who, when they hear
the word, at once receive it with joy; but when tribulation and persecution
arise on account of the word, they are immediately scandalized, and these have
no roots in themselves, but are for a while, for they believe for a while, and
in time of temptation fall away. But that which fell among thorns are they who
hear the word of God, and the solicitude and cares of this world, the fallacies
of riches, and the desire of other things entering in choke the word, and it
becomes unfruitful. But that sown on good ground are they who, in a good and
best heart, hearing the word understand and keep it, and bring forth fruit in
patience.
And
for this reason, brothers, let us, as the Lord says, "let the dead bury
their dead." And let us be much on our guard against the malice and
cunning of Satan, who desires that man should not give his heart and mind to
the Lord God, and who going about seeks to seduce the heart of man under
pretext of some reward or benefit, to smother the words and precepts of the
Lord from memory, and who wishes to blind the heart of man by worldly business
and cares, and to dwell there, as the Lord says: "When an unclean spirit
is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places seeking rest and findeth
none; then he saith: 'I will return into my house whence I came out.' And coming
he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then he goeth and taketh with him
seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in, and dwell
there; and the last state of that man is made worse than the first." Wherefore
let us all, brothers, watch much, lest under pretext of some reward or labor or
aid we lose or separate our mind and heart from the Lord. But I beseech all the
brothers, both the ministers and others, in the charity which God is, that,
overcoming all obstacles and putting aside all care and solicitude, they strive
in the best manner they are able, to serve, love, and honor the Lord God with a
clean heart and a pure mind, which He seeks above all. And let us always make
in us a tabernacle and dwelling-place for Him, who is the Lord God Omnipotent,
Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost, who says: "Watch, therefore, praying at
all times, that you may be accounted worthy to escape" all the evils
"that are to come, and to stand before the Son of Man." And when you
stand to pray, say, "Our Father, who art in heaven." And let us adore
Him with a pure heart, for "we ought always to pray, and not to
faint," for the Father seeks such adorers. "God is a Spirit, and they
that adore Him, must adore Him in spirit and in truth." And let us have recourse
to Him as the "Shepherd and Bishop of our souls," who says; "I am the Good Shepherd,"
who feed My sheep, "and I lay down My life for My flock." But all you
are brothers. "And call none your father upon earth; for one is your
Father who is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters, for one is your master,
who is in heaven, Christ." "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in
you, you shall ask whatever you will, and it shall be done unto you." "Where
there are two or three gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of
them." "Behold, I am with you all days, even to the consummation of
the world." "The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and
life." "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life."
Let
us therefore hold fast the words, the life and doctrine and holy Gospel of Him
who deigned for us to ask His Father to manifest to us His Name, saying:
Father, I have manifested Thy Name to the men whom Thou hast given Me because
the words which Thou gayest Me I have given to them, and they have received
them, and have known in very deed that I came forth out of Thee, and they have
believed that Thou didst send Me. I pray for them, I pray not for the world,
but for them whom Thou hast given Me, because they are Thine and all My things
are Thine. Holy Father, keep them in Thy Name whom Thou hast given Me, that
they may be one, as We also are. These things I speak in the world that they
may have joy filled in themselves., I have given them Thy word, and the world
hath hated them, because they are not of the world, as I also am not of the
world. I pray not that Thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that Thou
shouldst keep them from evil. Sanctify them in truth. Thy word is truth. As
Thou hast sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world. And for them
I do sanctify Myself, that they may be sanctified in truth. Not for them only
do I pray, but for them also who through their word shall believe in Me, that
they may be consummated in one, and that the world may know that Thou hast sent
Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast also loved Me. And I have made known Thy
Name to them, that the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me may be in them, and I
in them. Father, I will that where I am, they also whom Thou hast given Me may
be with Me, that they may see Thy glory in Thy kingdom.
23.—Prayer, Praise, and Thanksgiving.
Almighty, most
Holy, most High and Supreme God, Holy and Just Father, Lord King of heaven and
earth, for Thyself we give thanks to Thee because by Thy holy will, and by
Thine only Son, Thou hast created all things spiritual and corporal in the Holy
Ghost and didst place us made to Thine image and likeness in paradise, whence
we fell by our own fault. And we give Thee thanks because, as by Thy Son Thou
didst create us, so by the true and holy love with which Thou hast loved us,
Thou didst cause Him, true God and true Man, to be born of the glorious and
ever-Virgin, most Blessed holy Mary, and didst will that He should redeem us
captives by His Cross and Blood and Death. And we give thanks to Thee because
Thy Son Himself is to come again in the glory of His Majesty to put the wicked
who have not done penance for their sins, and have not known Thee, in eternal
fire, and to say to all who have known Thee and adored Thee, and served Thee in
penance: "Come, ye blessed of My Father, possess the kingdom prepared for
you from the beginning of the world."
And since all
we wretches and sinners are not worthy to name Thee, we humbly beseech Thee,
that our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy beloved Son, in whom Thou art well pleased,
together with the Holy Ghost, the Paraclete, may give thanks to Thee as it is
pleasing to Thee and Them, for all; He suffices Thee always for all through
whom Thou hast done so much for us. Alleluia. And we earnestly beg the glorious
Mother, the most Blessed Mary ever-Virgin, Blessed Michael, Gabriel, Raphael,
and all the choirs of the blessed spirits, seraphim, cherubim, and thrones,
dominations, principalities and powers, virtues, angels and archangels, blessed
John the Baptist, John the Evangelist, Peter, Paul, the blessed patriarchs and
prophets, innocents, apostles, evangelists, disciples, martyrs, confessors,
virgins, blessed Elias and Enoch, and all the Saints who have been and are, and
shall be, for Thy love, that they may, as it is pleasing to Thee, give thanks
for these things to the most high, true God, eternal and living, with Thy most
dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, the Paraclete, for ever
and ever. Amen. Alleluia.
And
all we, brothers minor, useless servants, humbly entreat and beseech all those
within the holy Catholic and Apostolic Church wishing to serve God, and all
ecclesiastical Orders, priests, deacons, subdeacons, acolytes, exorcists,
lectors, door-keepers, and all clerics; all religious men and women, all boys
and children, poor and needy, kings and princes, laborers, husbandmen, servants
and masters, all virgins, continent, and married people, laics, men and women,
all infants, youths, young men and old, healthy and sick, all small and great,
and all peoples, clans, tribes, and tongues, all nations and all men in all the
earth, who are and shall be, that we may persevere in the true faith and in
doing penance, for otherwise no one can be saved. Let us all love with all our
heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, with all our strength and
fortitude, with all our understanding and with all our powers, 1 with our whole
might and whole affection, with our innermost parts, our whole desires, and
wills, the Lord God, who has given, and gives to us all, the whole body, the
whole soul, and our life; who has created and redeemed us, and by His mercy
alone will save us; who has done and does all good to us, miserable and
wretched, vile, unclean, ungrateful, and evil.
Let
us therefore desire nothing else, wish for nothing else, and let nothing please
and delight us except our Creator and Redeemer, and Saviour, the only true God,
who is full of good, all good, entire good, the true and supreme good, who
alone is good, merciful and kind, gentle and sweet, who alone is holy, just,
true, and upright, who alone is benign, pure, and clean, from whom, and through
whom, and in whom is all mercy, all grace, all glory of all penitents and of
the just, and of all the blessed rejoicing in heaven. Let nothing therefore
hinder us, let nothing separate us, let nothing come between us. Let us all,
everywhere, in every place, at every hour, and at all times, daily and
continually believe, truly and humbly, and let us hold in our hearts, and love,
honor, adore, serve, praise and bless, glorify and exalt, magnify and give
thanks to the most High and Supreme, Eternal God, in Trinity and Unity, to the
Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost, to the Creator of all, to the Saviour of all
who believe and hope in Him, and love Him, who, without beginning or end, is
immutable, invisible, unerring, ineffable, incomprehensible, unfathomable,
blessed, praiseworthy, glorious, exalted, sublime, most high, sweet, amiable,
lovable, and always wholly desirable above all forever and ever.
In
the Name of the Lord, I beseech all the brothers that they learn the tenor and
sense of those things that are written in this life for the salvation of our
souls, and frequently recall them to mind. And I pray God that He who is Almighty,
Three in One, may bless all who teach, learn, hold, remember, and fulfil those
things as often as they repeat and do what is there written for our salvation.
And I entreat all, kissing their feet, to love greatly, keep and treasure up
these things. And on the part of Almighty God and of the Lord Pope, and by
obedience, I, Brother Francis, strictly command and enjoin that no one subtract
from those things that are written in this life, or add anything written to it
over and above, and that the brothers have no other Rule.
Glory
be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the
beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
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