Dedication

1 The Duke of Acquasparta asks Bernardine of Colpetrazzo to finish the Chronicle 2 Bernardine dedicates the Chronicle to the Duke 3 The division of the work

(1) Most Illustrious and Excellent Lord! Your Excellency should know that I had decided not to write this book, that is, the Chronicle of our Congregation. The reason was this. Although I had almost finished writing it, our Fathers gave the task to the very Reverend Padre Mattia da Salò, since he is much more learned and capable than I. However, since Your Excellency has bid me finish the work, I am bound to do so because of the many obligations I feel towards you and your family. I cannot overlook this, since for me your requests are commands. At the bidding of Your Excellency I have decided to complete the task, given that our Congregation no longer needs me. Furthermore Monsignor Thesaurieri has sent me the best and finest paper I could ask for. Therefore with good reason I am compelled from all sides so that my small efforts not fail the great devotion that Your Excellency has, together with Her Excellency, the Lady Olympia Orsini Cesi. Nor must I fail your admirable desire to read this Chronicle on account of the immeasurable devotion you have towards Father Saint Francis and his holy Order.

(2) Therefore I dedicate this entire work to Your Excellency. I commit the work to your authority to revise, with the freedom either to publish or keep the work for your own devotion; whatever pleases you. However I regret not having the learning and adequately good style for this work to be enjoyed with even greater appreciation. Nevertheless, despite old age, I have tried to write most of what I have seen with my own eyes, or what credible persons have assured me, since in history one seeks truth above all else.

Therefore may Your Excellency accept these small efforts from the least of his servants. I give them to you with love since you have such great affection for our Seraphic Father Saint Francis. May your fervour grow even more as you see and read about in this Chronicle the miraculous providence of the Lord God towards the early Fathers of our Congregation so as to bring back the way of life of our Seraphic Father and his first companions. You will see how such noble and holy sons in the Congregation followed the Seraphic Father in perfect imitation.

(3) I divide the entire work into three books. The first one has a simple history of the more noteworthy things that took place at different times in our Congregation. The second book has stories about the austerity and miracles of holy men in the Congregation who, in a praiseworthy manner, have passed away from this to a better life. In the third book I have written about the customs and life led by our early Fathers. Then beginning with Saint Francis I have written about all the Generals throughout the period when the friars wore the pointed cowl. There is also list of the Generals of our own Congregation, and of our Cardinal Protectors.

I could have written many other things. Due to my age, however, writing is not easy. May Your Excellency be happy with this and remain in holy peace. I beg of God every good for you and for the happiness of your entire Family, in this world and the next.

Your Excellency’s loving and affectionate religious,

Fra Bernardino Colpetrazzo, Capuchin.

In the friary of St Peter at Acquasparta,

The second day of September 1592.