* This Rule is given in its original form. The points which have become obsolete, or have been modified, on account of the altered state of society, are explained in all Manuals of the Third Order.
In the Name of Our Lord. Amen.
CHAPTER I.
Of the Manner of Examining those who wish to Enter the Order.
If any wish to embrace this manner of life, and are to be admitted, they shall, before their acceptance or admission, be subjected to a close examination concerning the Catholic Faith, and their obedience to the Roman Church. And if they sincerely profess and truly believe these things, they may be admitted or received with all safety. But great care must be taken never to admit to this manner of life anyone who is a heretic, or suspected of heresy, or a person of bad reputation. And if it should happen that such an one were admitted, he must be denounced as soon as possible to the Inquisitors, in order that he may be punished for his heresy.
CHAPTER II.
Of the Manner of Receiving those who wish to enter the Order.
When anyone is desirous of entering this Fraternity, the Ministers who are deputed for the reception of such persons shall make careful inquiries respecting his employment, state, and condition, clearly explaining to him the obligations of the said Fraternity, and especially that of restoring the goods of others. This being done, if he wishes it, he may be clothed with the habit in the usual form, and he shall take care, if he has in his possession the goods of others, to make restitution either in ready money, or by giving proper security ; and he must also take care to be reconciled with his neighbour. After having fulfilled all these things, and after the space of one year, he may, by the advice of some discreet Brethren, if they think him worthy, be admitted to make his profession in this manner ; viz., that he promise to keep all the Divine commandments, and to make suitable satisfaction for the faults he may commit against this form of life, as the Visitor may think fit. This promise, made by him, must be registered by the public secretary. No person may be received by the Ministers in any other manner, unless, after mature deliberation, they see fit to act otherwise on account of the condition or earnest solicitation of the person. Moreover, we order and decree that no one, after having entered this Order, may leave it to return to the world. Nevertheless, they may be freely permitted to pass into any other approved Order. Married women may not enter this Order without the permission and consent of their husbands.
CHAPTER III.
Of the Form of the Habit, and the Quality of the Garments.
The Brethren of this Fraternity must commonly be clothed in a woollen garment, humble as to price and colour, being neither black nor white, unless the Ministers should dispense with anyone for a time, and for some legitimate and manifest cause. Their mantles also and furred dresses must be without collars, clasped and not open, as decency requires, and the sleeves must be closed.
The Sisters also must be clothed with a tunic and mantle of the same coarse cloth, or at least they must wear with their mantle a black or white skirt, or a long robe of hemp or flax made up without any plaits. Nevertheless, with regard to the coarseness of the cloth and furs of the Sisters, a dispensation may be granted should their position or the custom of the place require it. They may not use silk ribbons or cords, but both the Brothers and Sisters having, according to the salutary counsel of the Prince of the Apostles, laid aside the vain ornaments of the world, shall have only common furs, purses of leather, and girdles simply made, without any silk.
CHAPTER IV,
Of not going to immodest Feasts and Plays, and of not Giving anything to Actors.
THE Brothers and Sisters are absolutely forbidden to be present at immodest feasts, plays, public meetings, and dances. They must not spend anything on actors, nor in seeing vain shows ; and they must take care to forbid anything being spent on such things by their family.
CHAPTER V.
Of Abstinence and Fasting.
All the Brothers and Sisters shall abstain from eating flesh-meat on Mondays,* Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, unless prevented by illness or weakness. Those who have been bled may eat meat for three successive days, and the same is allowed to those who are travelling-+ The use of meat is also permitted on solemn feasts, when according to ancient custom other Christians make use of it. On other abstinence days when no fast is observed, they may eat cheese and eggs, but when they are with other religious in their Convents, they may eat what is set before them, and let them be contented with dinner and supper, unless they are weak or sick or on a journey. Let those who are in good health be moderate in eating and drinking ; for the Gospel says, ‘ Take heed that your hearts be not made heavy with surfeiting and drunkenness.’ They may not dine or sup without first saying Pater noster, and this they must repeat after the repast, adding Deo gratias. If this be omitted they must say three times Pater noster.
They must fast on all Fridays throughout the year, unless they be dispensed on account of sickness or some other lawful reason, or unless the Feast of our Lord’s Nativity should occur on that day. From the Feast of All Saints until Easter they shall fast on all Wednesdays* and Fridays, and they must also observe the other fasts commanded by the Church, or prescribed . by the Bishops for public causes. During the Lent, from the Feast of St. Martin until the Nativity of our Lord, and from Quinquagesima Sunday until Easter, they shall fast every day except Sundays, unless prevented by sickness or any other necessity. Women with child may, if they choose, abstain from all corporal austerities, but not from prayer, until the day of their churching. Those who are obliged to labour, may on account of their fatigue take their repasts three times a day from Easter until the Feast of St. Michael. And when they are employed at work in the houses of others, they may eat whatever is set before them on all days except Fridays, or any other fast-day appointed by the Church.
* Pope Clement VIL, in his Bull Ad uberes fructusy of the 15th of March, 1526, granted the secular Tertiaries a general exemption from abstinence on Mondays.
+ These dispensations are only granted on the days of abstinence prescribed, by the Rule alone.
CHAPTER VI.
How often the Brothers and Sisters ought to Confess and Communicate during the Year.
All the Brothers and Sisters must confess their sins and devoutly receive the Holy Eucharist three times in the year ; viz., at Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost, taking care first to be reconciled to their neighbour, and to restore the goods of others.
* Pope Paul IIL, by the Bull Ad uberes fructus, of July 3rd, 1547, dispensed the secular Tertiaries from this fast on Wednesdays.
CHAPTER VII.
Of not Carrying offensive Weapons.
The Brothers may not carry offensive arms, unless it be for the defence of the Roman Church, the Catholic Faith, their own country, or with the permission of their Ministers.
CHAPTER VIII
Of the Recitation of the Canonical Hours,
All the Brothers and Sisters must say daily the seven Canonical Hours ; viz., Matins, Prime, Tierce, Sext, None, Vespers, and Complin. Clerks who know how to recite the Psalter must say for Prime Deus in nomine tuo, and Beati immaculati as far as Legem pone, etc., and the other Psalms of the Hours with the Gloria Patri, according to the rite of the clergy.* When they cannot go to the Church they must be careful to say for Matins the Psalms that clerks say, or those used in the Cathedral Church, or at least they must not fail to recite, like those who cannot read, twelve Pater nosters with the Gloria Patri for Matins, and seven for each of the other Hours. At the Hours of Prime and Complin they shall add the Credo and the Psalm Miserere mei Deus, if they know them: But if they fail to recite the appointed Hours they must say three times the Pater nosier. Those who are sick are not bound to recite these Hours unless they wish. During St. Martin’s Lent, and also during the great Lent, they should endeavour to assist at Matins in the parish churches where they dwell, unless they are dispensed for some legitimate cause.
* That is, the Roman rite, which St. Francis was the first to spread through the world by adopting it to his order
CHAPTER IX.
That all who can lawfully do so should make their Will.
All those who have the right and power to do so, must make their will within three months of their entrance into the Order, and shall arrange and dispose of their goods, lest any of them should happen to die intestate.
CHAPTER X.
How Peace must be established among the Brethren, and with others.
Should any dissension occur among the Brothers and Sisters, or even among other persons, the Ministers shall take what means they think best to re-establish peace, having recourse, if necessary, to the counsels of the Diocesan Bishop in this matter.
CHAPTER XI.
How they should Act when Molested contrary to justice, and their Privileges.
If it should happen that the Brothers or Sisters are assailed with persecutions contrary to justice and their privileges by any persons in power, or by the magistrates of the places where they dwell, the Ministers shall take care to have recourse to the Bishop or Ordinary of the place, that they may act in such cases according to his advice and direction.
CHAPTER XII.
That the Brothers and Sisters should avoid, as much as Possible, taking solemn Oaths.
The Brothers and Sisters must abstain from taking solemn oaths, except through urgent necessity in cases permitted by the Holy See ; viz., to establish peace, to justify faith, to refute a calumny, to bear witness, and even to make a contract of buying, selling, or donation, when deemed necessary. They must avoid, as much as possible, oaths in common conversation, and if anyone should be surprised into an oath through heedlessness (which generally happens to great talkers), let him, on the night of the same day, when he ought to examine what he has done, say three Pater nosters in satisfaction for such idle oaths. And let everyone remember to exhort his family to serve God faithfully.
CHAPTER XIII.
Of hearing Mass, and attending the Assemblies.
All the Brothers and Sisters, to whatever place they belong, who are in good health, must hear Mass everyday if they can do so conveniently; and they must also assemble once a month in the Church, or place appointed by the Ministers, and assist at a solemn Mass which shall be celebrated therein. Each one shall give a piece of current money to the treasurer, who, having collected it, will distribute it, according to the advice of the Ministers, among the Brothers and Sisters who are poor, especially those who are sick, and such as are known not to have the means for funeral expenses, and afterwards to other poor according to their wants.
Moreover, out of the said money an offering must be made to the Church where the Mass has been celebrated. They shall also be careful to procure, if it can be done conveniently, some religious man well instructed in the word of God, to exhort, admonish, and induce them to do penance, and to perform works of mercy. Each one must be careful to keep silence during Mass and the sermon, and let them be assiduous in prayer, and in saying the Office, unless prevented by the common good of the Brotherhood.
CHAPTER XIV.
Of the sick and departed Brethren,
When one of the Brethren is sick, and has notified the same to the Ministers, they are bound either themselves or by others to visit the sick person at least once a week. They shall earnestly exhort him, as they may judge it expedient and beneficial, to receive the Sacrament of Penance, and shall furnish him with those things that are necessary out of the common purse. If the said sick person die, notice must be given to the Brothers and Sisters living in the town or place where he died, that they may assist at the obsequies, from which they must not withdraw until the Mass is finished and the body interred. The same rules are to be observed with regard to sick and deceased Sisters. Within a week after the death of any member, the Brothers who are priests shall say one Mass for the repose of the soul ; those who know the Psalter shall each say fifty Psalms, and those who cannot read shall say as many Pater nesters, adding at the end of each Requiem aeternam, etc. Besides this, they will have three Masses celebrated every year, for the Brothers and Sisters both living and dead; those who know the Psalter will say it, and the others will not fail to recite one hundred Pater nosters, adding at the end of each Requiem aeternam, etc.
CHAPTER XV.
Of the Ministers.
Everyone on whom may be imposed the ministerial or other offices expressed in this present Rule, must accept such office with devotion, and fulfil it with fidelity. Each office shall be limited in its duration, and no Minister may be appointed for life, but only for a certain space of time.
CHAPTER XVI.
Of the Visitation and Correction of those who Offend.
The Ministers and Brothers and Sisters of each place and city shall assemble for the general Visitation in some religious house or Church, if they have no more convenient place, and choose for a Visitor a priest belonging to some approved religious Order, who shall impose a salutary penance on such of the members as may have committed any fault. No other person can exercise this office of Visitor.
This Visitation shall be held only once a year, unless some urgent necessity requires that it be held oftener. Incorrigible and disobedient members shall be warned three several times, and if they will not reform, they shall, with the advice of the Council, be altogether expelled from the Congregation.
CHAPTER XVII.
Of avoiding Lawsuits among themselves or with others.
Let the Brothers and Sisters as much as possible avoid lawsuits among themselves ; but should one happen to be begun against them, let them endeavour to stop it ; and if they fail, they must carry the matter before those who have the power of judging in such cases.
CHAPTER XVIII.
How, and by whom, Dispensations may be Granted.
The local Superiors or the Visitor can dispense the Brothers and Sisters from abstinence, fasts, and other austerities for a legitimate cause, and when they judge it necessary.
CHAPTER XIX.
That the Ministers must declare notable Faults to the Visitor.
The Ministers shall declare to the Visitor the notable faults of the Brothers and Sisters, that they may be punished. But if any should be found incorrigible after they have been warned three several times, the Ministers, with the advice of some discreet Brethren, shall denounce him to the said Visitor, that he may cut him off from the Order, and announce the same at the next assembly of the whole Congregation.
CHAPTER XX.
That this Rule does not bind under pain of mortal Sin,
Finally, we will not that the Brothers and Sisters of this Order be bound under pain of mortal sin to observe the things above mentioned, unless they are already bound thereto by the Divine commandments or the precepts of the Church ; but let them accept with prompt humility the penances imposed on them for their transgressions, and endeavor faithfully to fulfil the same.