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

THE WRITINGS OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI
general 317 and servant of the whole fraternity and let them be bound firmly to obey him. · When
he dies, let the election of a successor be made by the Ministers provincial and the custodes in
the Chapter at Pentecost, in which the Ministers provincial are always bound to convene at once,
wherever it had been determined by the Minister general; · and this once 318 every three years or at
another interval greater or less, as had been ordained by the aforesaid Minister. · And if at any
time it appears to the whole body of the Ministers provincial and custodes, that the aforesaid
Minister is not sufficient for the service and common utility of the friars, the aforesaid friars, to
whom the election has been given, are bound in the Name of the Lord 319 to choose another as
their guard. 320 · Indeed, after the Chapter at Pentecost, let the ministers and custodes each be able,
if they will have wanted and if it will seem to them to be expedient, to convoke their friars to a
chapter in their own custodies once in the same year. 321
Chapter IX
On preachers.
Let the friars not preach within the jurisdiction 322 of any bishop, when (their preaching)
has been contradicted by him. 323 · And let no friar at all dare preach to the people, unless he has
been examined by the Minister general of this fraternity and approved, and there has been
conceded to him by the same the office 324 of preaching. · I also warn and exhort these same friars,
that in the preaching, that they do, their "expressions" be "considered" 325 and "chaste" (cf. Ps
11:7; 17:31), for the utility and edification of the people, · by announcing to them vices and
virtues, punishment and glory with brevity of speech; 326 "since a brief word" did "the Lord speak
upon the Earth" (cf. Rm 9:28).
317 For an explanation of the offices in the Order see the introduction to "The First Letter to the
Custodes" [EpCust I].
318 Triennial chapters had been prescribed by the XII constitution of the Fourth Lateran Council
(1215 A.D.).
319 i.e. by a grave obligation.
320 lit. custos, here used in its proper sense and not in reference to the office of Custos.
321 Local chapters were comprised of the Guardians (superiors) of each place and the senior friars
of the region. Their purpose was to assist the Custos or Minister provincial in the local
government and to implement the decisions of the General Chapter at Pentecost, cf. VI
constitution of the Fourth Lateran Council (1215 A.D.).
322 lit. episcopatu, the territory over which a bishop presides.
323 i.e. he has done something to contradict them or their preaching, cf. III constitution of the
Fourth Lateran Council (1215 A.D.).
324 The duty of preaching has always required special license from Christ or one commissioned
personally by Him, cf. Acts 10:42 and Tit 1:9-11; cf. X constitution of the Fourth Lateran
Council (1215 A.D.).
325 lit. examinata, weighed, tested.
326 lit. cum brevitate sermonis, that is, in a manner that is to the point.
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