The Reform of the Zoccolanti Fathers

48 The Western Schism 49 The Reform of the Observants 50 John of Guadalupe

(48) For a period of eight Pontiffs the holy Order was greatly afflicted because of the great schism. The zealous Friars waited for the Church to elect a Supreme Pontiff to whom they could have recourse as universal Father and make known the need of the holy Order, as well as the grave afflictions suffered by the Friars who wanted to observe the Rule. In 1407 the Most High God was pleased that the sacred Council of Pisa was assembled from the orthodox Church and College of Cardinals. Dealing with the union and concord between Cardinals, by common consensus Gregory XII and Clement VIII were deposed, and Peter of Candia was elected and called Alexander V. The same Council removed the schism. Then an even greater discord arose. Therefore the sacred Council of Constance met again in 1416 and both Pontiffs were deposed. With great concord Martin V was canonically elected as universal Pastor of the Holy Church. He governed the Church fourteen years and three months.

(49) Therefore the Friars had recourse to this high court. The Supreme Pontiff received them with great kindness. Having consulted the venerable Council Fathers at the Council about the need for the reform, he judged it to be absolutely necessary. They were given every possible support. Frate Antonio da Rusconi was the General of the whole Order. He was elected at the time of Martin V. With the consent of that General, Frate Antonio, since Martin V had already died and Eugene IV was elevated to the Supreme Pontificate in the same year 1431, they were given a Vicar General.

Brother Paoluccio da Foligno, a lay friar, was the first to ask the Minister General of the whole Order for the friary at Brugliano. It is near the city of Foligno, about a day’s journey. With the support of his relative, the Lord of Foligno, for many years they had no leader. It just began with that holy and devout Friar whose example stirred up the whole Order so that in every Province there was some friar who withdrew. However they were not cut off from the community, but when the occasion and opportune time came they appealed to the above mentioned Council. Nevertheless they suffered many difficulties at the beginning. For a long time, until Leo X, they elected Vicars General and Provincials, who were all confirmed by the General of the whole Order. That Reform teetered along for many years. However it pleased the Lord God that many venerable Fathers and holy men came to it from the body of the Order. In particular there was Saint Bernardine from the Province of Tuscany. His life, holiness and learning greatly adorned that Reform. He was the one who shaped the way of life of that Congregation in the various parts of Italy. The Venerable Father John of Capistrano also came. He was the first ultramontane Vicar General. He was very learned and very holy. There were also Brother James of the Marches and other Venerable Fathers. In the Spanish Province of Castille too there was Brother Alfonso of Borrox and others. He was an educated man gifted with a fine bearing. He brought the Reform to Spain. From the body of the Order many others joined from various Provinces. Because of the entry of these Friars, this holy Reform got to its feet and continued in great holiness for many years.

(50) However, when the natural movement towards decline recurred, many zealous Friars began to cause a tumult. They zealously sought reform again. There emerged in Spain in particular a very fervent servant of God called Brother John of Guadalupe. Because of his enthusiasm to observe the Rule he went with some other zealous friars into the presence of the Supreme Pontiff, Alexander VI. The year was 1500. Brother Marcial was Vicar General. He obtained permission from His Holiness to start twelve friaries in the Custody of the Holy Gospel. There would be twelve Friars per friary to live in perfect observance of the Rule. With this done the Reform was brought to perfection. They adopted the authentic habit which was rough and shabby with a pointed cowl. They were they reason that in all the Provinces of the Zoccolanti Fathers zealous Friars began to withdraw and seek reform. However the lax and dissolute Friars feared that the Reform would spread throughout the whole Order. They decided that some of the more suitable Friars approach the holy and prudent Queen Elizabeth and plan to wreak the ruin of the Reform from His Holiness Julius II with her assistance. They had a Brief produced which commanded the Friars to return to obedience. Once Brother John learned of this he went to Rome immediately with some companions. However God wanted to crown his servant for the many troubles and struggles he endured, and allowed Brother John to die while on the journey. His friars were compelled to leave those houses. Not long after, however, some other friars appeared who obtained permission from His Holiness to take up those friaries again. However the pointed cowl was not allowed them. These have persevered to this day.

Therefore it was clear sign that the Congregation of Zoccolanti Fathers had become lax and needed to be raised on high again by means of Reform.