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

Chapter X
On the admonition and correction of the friars.
THE WRITINGS OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI
Let the friars, who are the ministers and servants of the other friars, visit and warn their 327
friars and humbly and charitably correct them, not precepting 328 them anything, which may be
contrary to their soul 329 and our Rule. · Indeed let the friars, who are subjects, remember, that for
the sake of God they have denied 330 their own wills. · Whence I firmly precept them, to obey their
ministers in all the things which they have promised the Lord to observe and which are not
contrary to their soul or to our Rule. · And that wherever the friars are, who know and
understand, that they themselves are not able to observe the Rule spiritually, they ought to and
can have recourse to their ministers. · Indeed let the ministers receive them charitably and kindly
and regard them with so much familiarity, 331 that (these) can speak to them and act as lords with
their servants; · for so it ought to be, because the ministers are to be the servants of all the friars. ·
Indeed I warn and exhort the friars in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they beware "of all" pride, vain
glory, envy, "avarice" (cf. Lk 12:15), care and solicitude for this world (saeculum) (cf. Mt
13:22), detraction and murmuring, and that those ignorant of letters 332 not care to learn letters; ·
but let them attend to that which they ought to desire to have above all, the Spirit of the Lord and
His holy operation, 333 · to pray always to Him with a pure heart and to have humility, patience in
persecution and in infirmity, · and to love those who persecute and reprehend 334 and accuse 335 us,
because the Lord says, "Love your enemies, pray on behalf of those who are persecuting and
calumniating you" (Mt 5:44). · "Blessed (are) those who suffer persecution on account of justice,
since theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven" (Mt 5:10). · "However he who will have persevered until
the end, this one shall be saved" (Mt 10:22).
327 i.e. those who are under their jurisdiction; cf. VII constitution of the Fourth Lateran Council
(1215 A.D.).
328 see fn. 7.
329 i.e. contrary to the moral law. Note that here St. Francis uses the subjunctive to indicate
conditionality, whereas in the nearly identical phrase following in the same paragraph, he uses
the indicative, thus distinguishing the care the superiors should have in commanding from the
care the subjects should have in obeying.
330 lit. abnegaverunt, to deny by separating from a thing.
331 The Latin word familiaritas, "familiarity" signifies the affection and informality of a personal
friendship.
332 i.e. how to read and write.
333 i.e. that manner of acting which in all things seeks what is pleasing to God: the practice of
virtues and the avoidance of all sin.
334 i.e. rebuke, reprove, censure.
335 lit. arguere, to put in a clear light; to accuse, blame, expose, or convict.
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