22.06.2013 Views

The history of the popes, from the close of the middle ages : drawn ...

The history of the popes, from the close of the middle ages : drawn ...

The history of the popes, from the close of the middle ages : drawn ...

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

THE MENDICANT ORDERS. 27<br />

that <strong>the</strong>y were true Mendicant Orders and shared in <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

privileges. O<strong>the</strong>r bodies as well obtained a share in <strong>the</strong>se<br />

privileges, even though <strong>the</strong>y were not by <strong>the</strong>ir constitution<br />

Mendicant Orders ; such were <strong>the</strong> Congregation <strong>of</strong> S. Giorgio<br />

in Alga, near Venice, ^ and <strong>the</strong> Hermits <strong>of</strong> St. Jerome''^, but in<br />

<strong>the</strong>se cases <strong>the</strong> concession extended only to spiritual and not<br />

to temporal privileges.^<br />

In several <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se bulls <strong>the</strong> Pope expressed his satisfaction<br />

at <strong>the</strong> work being done by <strong>the</strong> Mendicant Orders. He speaks<br />

<strong>of</strong> " <strong>the</strong> rich fruits which <strong>the</strong>y daily produce in <strong>the</strong> vineyard<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lord " and <strong>of</strong> " <strong>the</strong> purity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir zeal for religion and<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir voluntary poverty, by means <strong>of</strong> which <strong>the</strong>y devotedly<br />

serve <strong>the</strong> Most High in a spirit <strong>of</strong> true humility," and he<br />

<strong>the</strong>refore exempts <strong>the</strong>m <strong>from</strong> imposts, and <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> obhgation<br />

<strong>of</strong> supporting <strong>the</strong> troops that pass <strong>the</strong>ir way.^ He bestows<br />

special praise on <strong>the</strong> Franciscan Observants, which Order, he<br />

says, is " founded on humility, and on joy in <strong>the</strong> midst <strong>of</strong><br />

sorrow," and which hi<strong>the</strong>rto " has produced such abundant<br />

fruit, and continues to produce it in full measure day by day."*^<br />

^September 11, 1569, ibid. 772.<br />

^ March 30, 1571, ibid. 908.<br />

^ Brief <strong>of</strong> July 30, 1570, ibid. 837. <strong>The</strong> Knights <strong>of</strong> St. John<br />

to some extent shared in certain exemptions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Mendicants<br />

<strong>from</strong> taxes : November 29, 1568, ibid. 726 seq.<br />

^ Bull <strong>of</strong> July 20, 1566, Bull. Rom., VIL, 468. On exemption<br />

<strong>from</strong> miUtary charges cf. ibid. 507, 971. <strong>The</strong> abolition <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

" gabelle " for <strong>the</strong> Mendicant Orders was under consideration<br />

<strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> beginning <strong>of</strong> 1567 ; when <strong>the</strong> Pope was told that <strong>the</strong>y<br />

brought in 15,000 scudi, he replied that in spite <strong>of</strong> that he was<br />

abolishing <strong>the</strong>m hi order to give a good example to <strong>the</strong> princes.<br />

*Avviso di Roma <strong>of</strong> January 18, 1567, Urb. 1040, p. 349, Vatican<br />

Library.<br />

® Bull <strong>of</strong> May 28, 1571, Bull. Rom., VIL, 917. For <strong>the</strong> privileges<br />

granted by Pius V. to <strong>the</strong> orders cf. Ant. Maria Bonucci, Com-<br />

pendio delle grazie e favori, conferiti dalla somma beneiicenza<br />

deir ottimo, e massimo Pontefice San Pio Quinto agli ordini e<br />

specialmente aUa Compagnia di Gesii, Rome, 1713. For <strong>the</strong><br />

rights <strong>of</strong> precedence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Canons <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lateran and <strong>the</strong> Canons<br />

Qj S. Giorgio in Alga, cf. Bull. Rom., VIL, 877, 915.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!