PART II.
THE FIRST RULE WHICH THE SERAPHIC PATRIARCH WROTE FOR THE FRIARS MINOR*
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, Amen.
This is the Form of life that Brother Francis besought Pope Innocent to grant and confirm for him, and which the said Pope accordingly granted and approved for him and his brethren both present and future. Brother Francis, and whoever may be at the head of this Order, promises obedience and reverence to our Lord Pope Innocent, and to his successors.
* This First Rule was approved verbally by Pope Innocent III, and afterwards by the Holy Council of Lateran in the year 1215. It did not, however, Jong remain in force, but was replaced by the Second Rule in the year 1223.