The Writings of St. Francis of Assisi - + Saints' Works

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THE WRITINGS OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI X,307 [VI,1] ... or according to the first Rule, as has been said: In whatever places there are friars. IV,223 [VII,1-2] Whence the Rule previously used to have it thus: Let all the friars in whatever places they have stayed over 525 among others, not be chamberlains or chancellors nor take precedence 526 to those whom they serve; nor let them receive any office, which generates scandal or causes detriment to their soul (cf. Mk 8:36); but let them be lesser 527 and subject to all, who are in the same houses. V,237 [VII,3] Whence previously there used to be said in the Rule: Let the friars who know how to work, work and exercise that art, which they know, if it has not been contrary to the salvation of (their) soul. V,237 [VII,6] And a little afterwards: Let each one remain continually in that art or office, in which he was called (cf. 1 Cor 7:24) according to the arrangement of (his) minister. V,236-7 [VII,12] Whence before the Bull it used to be put thus in the Rule: The servants of God ought to always persist in prayer or some good work. VI,267 [VII,13] And before the Bull these words used to be in the Rule: Let the friars beware, that they appropriate no place or any thing to themselves nor defend it against anyone. VI,276 [VII,15-6] Previously the Saint used to speak in this manner in the Rule . . . And again: Wherever the friars are and in whatever place they come upon one another, they ought to spiritually and diligently look upon themselves and honor one another without murmuring (1 Pt 4:9). And let all the friars beware of themselves, that they do not show themselves to be exteriorly sad and gloomy hypocrites, but let them show themselves (to be) those (who are) rejoicing in the Lord and cheerful and jocund and suitably gracious. IV,224 [VIII,6] Of money found the Saint used to speak thus: If we have found money, let us not care for it more than the dust, which we tread upon with (our) feet. IV,223 [VIII,10-11,8] [Francis] used to endure (the fact) that the friars would seek alms for the lepers in (times of) great necessity, yet in such a manner that they would beware much of money. And although they loved (dilectio) the pious places, in which the friars used to be guests and linger, he would not suffer them to seek money on behalf of any place or that they cause it be sought, or that they go with those seeking it. VI,266 [IX,3] And the text of the first Rule used to have it thus: When the necessity has arisen, let the friars go about for alms. 525 lit. existiterint, translated here as "stayed over", means literally "to stand forth, arise, come to be, exist" and thus implies a lengthy stay. There is a play on words, here, since "standing forth" (existiterint) is contrasted with not "taking precedence" (praesint). 526 lit. praesint honoribus, to be before others in honor; a reference to the Medieval custom of ordering society, from household to public life, in gradations of rank. 527 lit. minores, "minors;" hence the name of the Franciscan Order: the Order of Friars Minor. Page - 116
THE WRITINGS OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI VI,269-70 [IX,3-9] This he used to put more extensively in the original Rule in this manner: When the necessity has arisen, let the friars go about for alms. And let them not be ashamed, but rather let them remember, that Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God (Jn 11:27) Omnipotent, "placed" His "face as flint" 528 (Is 50:7) and He was not ashamed. And He was poor and a guest and lived by alms, He and His disciples. And when men would shame them and not want to give them (anything), let them on that account give thanks to God, that because of (this) shame they shall receive great honor before the tribunal of Our Lord Jesus Christ. And let them know, that shame is not imputed to those suffering it, but to those shaming (others); and that alms is the inheritance and justice, which ought to be given to the poor, (and) which Our Lord Jesus Christ acquired. And the friars, who labor by acquiring it, shall have a great wage and shall make the donors to profit and acquire (merit) because all things, which men leave in the world, will perish, but because of the charity and alms, which they have given, they shall have a reward from the Lord. VI,276 [IX,10] Previously the Saint used to speak in this manner in the Rule: Let one without fear manifest to the other his own need, so that he may find those things necessary for him and minister (them to him). VI,277 [X,3] ...before the Bull the Saint used to warn them in this manner in the Rule: I beg the sick friar, that by returning thanks to the Creator because of all things, as the Lord wants him, so he would desire himself to be, healthy or infirm. VI,277 [X,4] And a little afterwards: I beg all my friars, that in (their) infirmities they do not grow angry or become disturbed against God or against the friars, nor ask very solicitously for medicine, nor desire exceedingly to free the flesh (that is) swift to die, which is the enemy of the soul. I, 167 [XI,4] They used to reckon it forbidden to say to a friar "Raca!" or "Fool!" as a type of contumely, 529 since even previously the Rule and the these words of the Gospel express (it so) (cf. Mt 5:22). VI,268 [XI,1; XIV,1-7] Next the Gospel teaches one not to contend with, nor seek restitution from, nor resist the evil man, which before the Bull the Rule used to especially express; but now it comprehends all (these) things under concise and general words. XII,320 [XVI,5-7] However the Saint used to say that there were two ways of conducting (oneself) among the unbelievers, putting it in this manner in the first Rule: The friars can conduct themselves among them spiritually in two manners. One manner is, that they cause no arguments nor strife, but are subject to all creatures for God's sake (1 Pt 2:13) and confess themselves to be Christians. The other manner is, that, when they have seen that it pleases God, they announce the word of God, so that (the unbelievers) may believe in God the Omnipotent Father and His Son and the Holy Spirit, the Creator of all, (and) in the Redeemer and Savior of all the faithful, and to baptize and make them Christian, because they cannot be saved, unless 528 see fn. 396. 529 Contumely is the sin of speaking in an insulting and rude manner towards another person. Page - 117
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Page 83 and 84: eighth year of Our Pontificate. 347
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Page 101 and 102: things throughout the ages. Amen. C
Page 111 and 112: Fragments of other rules [Frag] THE
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