COLLOQUY V.
Those who are Fools for God’s Sake are stronger then the Wise of this World
Moved by the suggestions of some lax Brethren who desired an easier life, the Cardinal Ugolino of Ostia begged the holy Father to follow the counsels of the most prudent and learned men of the Order, and consent to mitigate the severity of his Rule, or to choose one of the old Rules of St. Augustine, St. Basil, or St. Benedict, to be observed by himself and his Brethren. The zealous lover of evangelical perfection did not answer the suggestion at once, but having called the Brethren to Chapter, he thus spoke to them before the Cardinal with great fervour of spirit : ‘My Brethren, my Brethren, God has called me to walk in the way of simplicity and humility, and He has shown me that this is His will both for myself and for those who will follow and adhere to me. I will not therefore have the Rule of St. Benedict, or St. Basil, or any other proposed to me, except that which has been given and shown me by the Divine Mercy. Our Lord has Himself told me that He wishes me to be His poor little fool in this world, and I will not follow, nor allow those who belong to me to follow, any other road to heaven than this one, which although it may appear folly to the world, is true wisdom in the sight of God. I fear that your wisdom and your knowledge will end for you in ignorance and confusion.’ These words filled the Cardinal and the Brethren with great fear, and throwing themselves at the feet of the Saint they humbly implored his pardon.