Fragments from the Rule of the Sisters of St. Clare by St. Francis of Assisi (translated into English)

    

1. FORM OF LIFE WHICH ST. FRANCIS WROTE FOR ST. CLARE. 

            Since, by divine inspiration, you have made yourselves daughters and handmaids of the Most High Sovereign King, the Heavenly Father, and have espoused yourselves to the Holy Ghost, choosing to live according to the perfection of the holy Gospel, I will, and I promise to have always, by myself and my brothers, a diligent care and special solicitude for you, as for them. 

2. LAST WISH WHICH ST. FRANCIS WROTE TO ST. CLARE.

            I, little brother Francis, wish to follow the life and poverty of Jesus Christ our Most High Lord and of His Most Holy Mother and to persevere therein until the end. And I beseech you all, my ladies, and counsel you, to live always in this most holy life and poverty. And watch yourselves well that you in no wise depart from it through the teaching or advice of any one.