COLLOQUY XXII.
A Religious should never Shake off the Yoke of holy Obedience.
When St. Francis gave up the office of General, he went humbly to Brother Peter of Catania, who had been appointed in his stead, and besought him, saying: ‘My Father and beloved Brother, I acknowledge thee as my Father and lord. I confide my soul to thy care and keeping, and I humbly promise thee obedience and reverence as my lawful Superior. I beseech and entreat thee by the living and true God to appoint one of my Brethren in thy place, to command me and take care of me ; and him I will always strictly obey in thy stead ; for, on account of the great merit and profit of holy Obedience, I desire to have thee, my Superior, always with me and before me.’ Having obtained this favour, he remained faithful to the practice of what he had promised until death ; for whether at home or abroad, in the church or in the street, he did nothing without the consent and permission of his companion.