Padre Fra Ludovico da Fossombrone, priest. How he was imprisoned and how he took up the Capuchin habit

118 Ludovico da Fossombrone 119 He asks the Minister permission to live a reformed life 120 Ludovico is imprisoned 121 The anxiety of the Minister 122 Fra Ludovico is set free 123 He insists with his claims 124 Ludovico is advised about what to do 125 He writes to the General and the Procurator 126 He goes into solitude with his brother 127 Both take refuge in the home of relatives

(118) The following year, in 1526, Fra Ludovico da Fossombrone came to join Fra Matteo. Few had heard of Fra Matteo the previous year (1525), partly because he had been in prison and partly because he had only preached in Montefeltro. Very few of the Friars knew he had altered the habit. After the old man of Carteceto had received that habit, no one felt moved to adopt it. In the following year (1526), however, because of his preaching and because of the beans, everyone spoke about Fra Matteo. That is why so many Friars felt inspired, including Fra Ludovico da Fossombrone and his brother Fra Raffaele. His arrival happened like this.

Fra Ludovico came from a city of the most Illustrious Duke of Urbino. The town is called Fossombrone. He was born to quite a good family, though they were private citizens. They were the Tenaglia family. When he was young he went to school for a while. He learned to read and had quite a good knowledge of fundamental grammar. As he grew older he wanted to follow the military arts. He entered that profession but was touched a little later by the Holy Spirit. Recognising the vanity of the world he decided to leave it and go off to join the Congregation of Zoccolanti Fathers. Not long after, while he was still in that Order, one his brothers followed him. This brother was given the name Raphael. Because he didn’t know how to read Raffale was received as a lay friar.

(119) Fra Ludovico dedicated himself completly to the things of the spirit. Because he was a judicious man everyone loved him greatly. When the reform of the Zoccolanti began many zealous Friars asked him if he wanted to enter that Reform. They did this because they considered him to be a judicious man, and if he strove at such an undertaking he would carry it out. He was an ideal instrument for such struggles. Urged on in this way Fra Ludovico took up that dream of Reform. He strongly encourged the Minister to let him go to that Reform. The Minister, on the other hand, knew that he was an ingenuous man. If he became leader of that Reform he would cause the greatest trouble to the Community and the body of the Order. This is why the Friars who didn’t want the Reform began to dislike him somewhat. When he became aware that the Minister was encouraging them, he decided in the secret of his heart that he would leave with his brother Raphael and follow Fra Matteo.

However since he was a prudent man he wanted to proceed canonically, after checking the matter first in church law. As the Rule stipulates he first had to have recourse to his Superiors. When friars find they cannot observe the Rule spiritually they can and should have recourse to their Ministers whom the Rule names: the Guardian, the local Minister, the Minister Provincial and the Minister General. Well informed by learned persons Fra Ludovico approached the matter in that way. As he was in the Friary at Fossombrone he began to say to the Guardian of that house that the Rule was not being observed. He specified all the things he did himself against the Rule. The Guardian though partly encouraged him and partly laughed it off. Then when the Minister Fra Giovanni da Fano came on visitation to that friary he asked with greater insistence than usual for the opportunity to observe the Rule. The Minister spoke well to him as is customary, thinking this would put him at ease. Fra Ludovico was aware of this and decided to ask him publicly in the refectory. So when all the Friars had gathered to eat in the refectory, the minister went to sit down after the blessing. Fra Ludovico knelt down and asked him permission to be able to say a few words. Granted this by the Minister he said, “Reverend Father Minister, I have often written to you. And no sooner had you arrived here on visitation when I said to you that I have made up my mind. In the presence of all these Reverend Fathers now for the last time I say to you publicly that I am determined to observe my Rule. Since it is not observed among us, I have often asked you and I ask you again to grant me the possibility to observe it. Either send me among our Reformati or grant me a poor little friary wherever you like with good Friars who have the same intention as I. If you do no wish to grant me either of these two things, grant me permission to go and find Fra Matteo.

A great worry came upon the mind of the Minister when he heard these words. As a prudent man nonetheless he sought to placate him. He said to him, “Go to eat, Padre Ludovico, and after supper I will seek the advice of these Fathers. You will be consoled.” Fra Ludovico remained in that hope. When supper was finished the Minister met with the Fathers. He began to discuss the matter and said, “Reverend Fathers, you have heard the words of this stubborn man and you have heard what he is asking. If we grant him this we will be more than ruined for there won’t ever be a day when another Friar won’t ask such a permission in the same way. They will claim, since permission has been given to Fra Ludovico, that they want it too. If we don’t grant it, they will leave and we will see a sect before our very eyes. Similarly, if he does not receive permission he will do it on his own. He has already said this openly. If he leaves many others will follow him. With his stubbornness he is a very capable instrument to do this and worse. He will become the leader of some sect and call it a reform. This is how I find myself then. I don’t know which way to turn. Perhaps each of you could give me his opinion.”

(120) At these words one of the oldest friars rose to his feet and said to him, “Reverend Father, you know well how it is necessary to give a proper remedy and cut off evil at the root right from the start. Your Reverence has said this man has a head harder than the toughest bronze. As far as I’m concerned I can’t see any better remedy and no more salubrious way to defend ourselves from all these scandals than to put him in the strongest prison. There he may be reduced with long and harsh fasts for months and years until he forgets about reforms. It will be necessary to keep him there until he weakens and these crazy ideas no longer enter his head. If such a remedy is not given to him, Your Reverence and the entire Order will see what evil will come from it to our detriment and shame. There you have my opinion.”

As the Minister turned to the others they all said the same thing. They approved what the old man had said. Having arrived at that conclusion, strong Friars were sent to the refectory where Fra Ludovico was to take and bind him. This was done very quickly and in a flash the poor Fra Ludovico found himself in jail. The Minister ordered that Fra Ludovico be given bread and water to eat only once a day.

(121) The Minister stayed in that house for some days. He began to reconsider the matter about Fra Ludovico. He was thinking about would happen that if Fra Ludovico’s relations heard of his imprisonment. Woe to the Friars! especially since he had an uncle who was a soldier and a captain. The whole country side was afraid of him. On the other hand if he released him Fra Ludovico would certainly do something strange. Because of this he called the Friars together and said to them, “My mind is very afflicted. I can’t eat, drink or sleep at all while keeping this poor Father in prison. I do not know what to do. On the one hand his hard headedness frightens me. On the other hand the fear I have towards his family and friends makes me anxious. We can be sure they will learn about his imprisonment. Since his family is tough by nature I am afraid they will stir up the whole city against us. With arms they will come and take him by force and destroy this friary. You know how important it is to negotiate with an angry crowd. If we release him, his mind is such that it will not be calmed. He will go to the Pope. With the support of the Duchess of Camerino he will obtain some Bull and Fra Matteo’s Reform will go forward. He will accuse us before His Holiness and the Lady Duchess will consider it a grave injustice that we imprisoned him because he wanted to observe the Rule. This we cannot deny. You see where we will be then. Therefore great care is needed so as to pacify this man. And so we should be be completely pleasant towards him and see to it that we tame him with kind words and remove these whims from his mind. A haughty soul should be remedied with its opposite, which is humility. Humility can easily subdue haughtiness.

(122) Those words settled all the Friars who were angry against Fra Ludovico . When the time for the evening meal came, after the Minister sat down he began to speak. “Beloved Fathers and Brothers, it saddens me very much to keep this good Padre Fra Ludovico in prison. Really he has done nothing to merit prison. He has always been a man of good example. As for myself I only want only good for him. I know he is a judicious man. But as you know that crazy Fra Matteo is going around with that pointed cowl. I am afraid that if Padre Ludovico goes after him that one day this will cause us many difficulites. I am saddened by this. On rethinking his situation with these Fathers I have decided that from now on it would be better if I deal kindly with him and release him from prison.”

There in the refectory he called two of the Fathers whom he saw to be more suitable for such an undertaking and said to them, “Go to Padre Ludovico and take him my soup and my main dish. Tell him that I carry him in my heart. Persuade him lovingly that if he relents there is nothing he may ask me that I will not be ready to grant, except to go to Fra Matteo.” When the Fathers went Padre Ludovico did not want to accept the Minister’s bowl of soup. He said to them instead, “He has ordered me to eat bread and water. I want to eat bread and water.” When this was reported back to the Minister he commanded that he eat it under obedience. So he ate it.

The two friars sent to him earlier stayed with him as he ate. When he had eaten they began again to try to persuade Fra Ludovico to place himself into the hands of his Superior who would look after him, and to forget about Fra Matteo and his whims. Everyone knew that Fra Matteo was mad and excommunicated since he had left the Order. Fra Ludovico said nothing in response to these words but carefully thought about his situation. Those Friars understood and took this to mean that they had converted him. However Fra Ludovico spoke carefully to get out of prison and then to do what he did do. His face showed great joy almost as if he wanted to do everything they were persuading him to do. Because of this those Friars thought they would win the good favour of the Minister. Full of joy they went back to find him. “Come Father Minister, Padre Ludovico will do everything you want.” Delighted, Minister had him released from prison since he wanted to leave and go to visit the other friaries. Thinking prudently about how important the matter was he did not want to depart unless he left Fra Ludovico at peace. For Fra Ludovico was a man who could give him as much worry as he could bear. When Fra Ludovico was brought to him the Minister, with all the other Fathers, showed him great kindness. He had the bell sound for the refectory so as to give the absolution to the Friars. This was usually done during the visitation. Once this was done he gave a beautiful exhortation, leaving the Friars some final reminders. He based his exhortation on encouraging the zealous Friars to remain calm and to be of one heart with the community. He added that many holy men had led the common life and were saints nonetheless. He said, “You know God wants peace and harmony from us and to let go of some disturbing things that unsettle the mind. He accused Fra Matteo very much.

(123) When the sermon had finished, Fra Ludovico recommended himself to all the Friars. Kneeling again Fra Ludovico asked to say a couple of words. The Minister thought that Fra Ludovico wanted to thank him for his release from prison. What came out was totally the opposite. With great fervour he said to him again, “Father Minister, I ask your permission to go and find Fra Matteo. If you give it to me I will go. If you don’t give it to me I will go all the same, for He who is greater than you gives me permission. God wants me to observe the Rule. Since I cannot observe it here, He wants me to leave and go to observe it where it is observed. I have already had recourse to you, who are the Minister, so as to receive this opportunity. I will not leave while I have not yet had recourse to the other Superiors, as the Rule obliges me. If I receiving the possibility to observe the Rule either from you or them I will seek it of one from whom I can have it, because I am determined to observe my profession.”

Again the Minister was very disturbed when he heard these words. He would have imprisoned him again but was worried about who would intervened for him. At the slightest sign from Fra Ludovico his uncle would release him by force and send all the Friars packing. Even so the same friars stood up who earlier had embraced Fra Ludovico. Embracing him again they said, “Fra Ludovico, we thought we had pacified you. Now you are more obstinate than ever.” Fra Ludovico began to laugh and, clever man, began to be banter with them cordially. So the matter was taken as a joke and all the Friars turned to the Minister and said to him as with one voice, “Go in peace, Father. Rest assured that Padre Fra Ludovico will settle down completely. Do not worry if speaks in this way because he will not do it. He has already said that he will not leave without having recourse to the other Superiors of the Order.” Fra Ludovico replied to this, “Certainly I will not leave without the permission of the Father General and of my other Superiors because my departure will be for no other reason than zeal to observe the Rule. And if I bind myself to do what I may not do, by sneaking off without (heeding) the order which our Lord God has given me in the Rule – that is, that I should have recourse to my Superiors in my needs – it would not be zeal on my part but plain madness. How can I want to go to the Reform to observe the Rule and only to become entangled in excommunications for acting against the canons and ordinances which the Rule and the Supreme Pontiffs have given.” When they heard these words the Friars turned once again to the Father Minister and said to him, “Didn’t we just say to you, Father Minister, that Fra Ludovico would never leave the Order without first having obtained permission. Before he can obtain such permission from Father General much more needs to be done.”

Trusting in these words Padre Giovanni left Fossombrone happy to continue the visitation.

(124) Padre Fra Ludovico began to think over his situation carefully. Since he was a judicious man he knew that to start a Reform was not child’s play, especially if it had such powerful opponents like the Congregation of Zoccolanti at the time. So he decided to seek the advice of learned, expert and enlightened men. Above all he decided to continue to commend himself to the Lord God with great humility and in continuous prayer. He prayed that His Majesty would extend to him his help in this undertaking begun in such a way, and give him light for in such a strenuous journey so that he would not let him stumble from the path. He intensified his fasts and was very careful not to speak with anyone. Rather he remained in total silence whether in the Church, in his cell or in the woods. In the presence of the Lord God he tearfully mourned the time he had spent badly and about the good he could have done in that way of life where he was, in his obligation towards such a lofty Rule and profession. Later he used to say later to anyone who wanted to hear about it, starting out so strictly with holy prayer always felt like a hammer to him – a hammer that shaped his heart. In his mind a voice said to him, “Hurry, Fra Ludovico, because this matter is more important than you think.” As he persevered the desire to realise his good intention grew within him.

To proceed more prudently he informed certain secular and religious friends who, for the sake of charity, came to the friary where he was. When they came, with great confidentiality and under the seal of secrecy, he communicated to them his firm desire. They told him that if he knew he could not observe the Rule in the Order where he was, without a doubt it would be permissible for him to move onto to greater perfection, but with the permission of the Superiors, or at least to ask. They advised him not to make a din if he wanted to reform, and not detach from his Order. Rather, he should stay in the same Order, and with the permission of Superiors, to withdraw with some of his companions. He would easily obtain this from His Holiness. Because of this advice the idea was sown in Fra Ludovico to go to His Holiness. With the Capuchin habit he could ask permission of His Holiness to withdraw with some of his companions. They would not remove themselves from obedience, but withdraw to whatever remote little friary that the Minister would be pleased to grant them. The only condition was that neither he nor his companions should be removed from that little friary. He had no plan, otherwise, of doing any reform except for himself. He thought that the Superiors would allow this easily. He continued in this line of thought and felt sure that the matter would easily succeed. He was very happy. He also had his brother, Fra Raffaello. In public he displayed a dislike for Fra Ludovico and blamed him for having entered into these goings on. He tested him so that the Friars would trust him and so that he could deal with his relatives regarding all his needs and so be able to send them letters. However the two were secretly in agreement. He desired to reform more than Padre Fra Ludovico did.

(125) To proceed canonically Padre Fra Ludovico wrote a good letter to the Father General who was in Rome. He asked that he might grant him the opportunity to observe the Rule. In the community and where he was, this was almost impossible since the whole Province was alienated from the observance of the Rule. “I am decided. I first asked this of our Minister. Where he should have granted me what Father Saint Francis commands him in the Rule, had me put in prison instead. Nor have I been able receive even one encouraging word. I said to him, though, that if your Very Reverend Paternity does not allow me to reform myself and live in the holy Order in the observance of the Rule, I will have recourse to the highest court. Now is the time to act.”

The Father General answered him, “Beloved son, I am quite pleased with your zeal pleases and an order has been given already about this. We have obtained a Bull from His Holiness about Reform. We ordered the Ministers to send us all the friars they knew to be suitable. I do not know you much at all. Work with your Minister. On my part I am very happy about it.” When Padre Fra Ludovico received this reply, so as to be completely blameless, he wrote to Monsignor Cardinal Della Valle, a very kind man who was the most Illustrious Protector at the time. The bishop answered him, “I would give you every support, but since the Fathers have ordered me not bother myself with the matters of the Order except in three cases, I cannot become involved in this. You are well aware that a Bull about it has been obtained. I do not believe your Superiors will let you down you if you the good intention to reform yourself. Work it out with them.”

(126) Padre Fra Ludovico kept this letter to himself. While he commended himself more intensely to the Lord God he secretly sent his brother, Fra Raffaello, to speak with his relatives so that they would make them two strict habits of the poorest cloth and with the pointed cowl. When they were sewn and completed he had them sent to the house of certain relatives outside the city. They consulted together and considered very carefully the step they had taken to change the habit and so embark upon such a great controversy. For some days they commended themselves to the Lord God more vigorously so that He would not allow them to be deceived by the infernal enemy. And so one night, armed with the sign of the holy cross and while commending themselves vigorously to the Lord, they secretly left the friary to go to where the habits were. There they undressed secretly and put on the Capuchin habit and withdrew to certain hidden places. Padre Ludovico recounted that there the enemy put a timid spirit in them. For many days they would not even appear at all before seculars. During the day they remained hidden and got the food they needed from their relatives by night. To them it seemed they were stray sheep.

(127) The Friars didn’t sleep but wrote to the Father Minister that Fra Ludovico had left with his brother and they did not know where they were. The Minister answered them, “Great thanks to you. I understood his stubborness well, but you had me release him. Now use all your diligence to find out where he is, especially if he is on his way to Rome. Given enough time he will obtain either Briefs or Bulls from Rome. This will cause us many problems.” Roused by these words those Fathers looked around carefully to learn where he was. They had spies everywhere.

It couldn’t stay a secret very long. Some shepherds had seen them. This was reported to Padre Fra Ludovico and he became so afraid that during the day and night they stayed in the mountains and in strong positions. Their idea was to defend themselves as much as they could if others were sent to get them. They were sure that if they were captured they would be put in a place where they wouldn’t see sinshine any more. As he said, the poor fellows went to mountain tops so as to sleep tranquilly at night. For fear of being eaten by wolves they withdrew to certain hidden places and lit three fires. Wearing nothing but that habit and a little mantle they slept in great fear between the three fires. Most of the time they lived on herbs and fruit and drank water. They didn’t have the courage to go to Rome for fear of being apprehended.

As a service and support for the holy Congregation, it pleased the Lord God that their timidity went away. They knew God had given it to them so that they would not trust in themselves but hope entirely in his mercy. Since it was his work he would make it progress. This was like the Apostle Paul. First, God struck him down. Then once comforted like a lion he began to preach Jesus Christ publicly. Therefore once these servants of God had put aside all fear they came down from the mountains and went openly to the house of their relatives. Because they had an uncle who terrified the entire city and because of his love the Friars didn’t have the courage to say anything to them. Peacefully, however, they set out on their way. Amen.