About the holy man Brother Matteo da Bascio and how he abdicated the Generalate.

268 The again prohibits the Observants from joining the Capuchins 269 The abdication of Fra Matteo 270 Fra Ludovico if Fossombrone succeeds him

(268) When the adversaries of the Capuchins heard that Fra Ludovico had obtained the Bull and how the first Chapter had been celebrated and the Capuchins had taken up friaries, the adversaries all began to think that the Reform would go ahead. The good Friars who desired Reform who were hated and persecuted by them hurried so that the door would not be closed and they came to the Congregation. The adversaries grew in hatred. Having recourse to Rome they proposed to His Holiness that it he did not repair the situation it would be necessary to leave many friaries because all the good Friars went to the Capuchins and the Order remained stripped completely.

Prudently His Holiness considered that it was not good that so many Friars enter the Reform while it was so young. Also, if the Order did not have an adequate complement of Friars that this could easily ruin it. So he issued a Brief so that no more Friars would be able to come. This was something truly good but poorly conceived for the Capuchins who wanted to increase. So many Friars wrote that that they would have wanted to come. The insistence of the Friars was such that Fra Matteo, the General, had to go to Rome and revoke the Brief. They all knew quite well that the Lady Duchess of Camerino would have supported it and with the slightest hint would have obtained from His Holiness whatever she desired.

(269) Father Matteo was bothered by these problems. Still all his intention was to go throughout the world preaching and leading a very austere life as God had revealed to him. Therefore he decided he did not want these problems any more. So he went to Fossombrone where Padre Ludovico was and said to him, “Father, I have come because you are the first Definitor and since the Bull addresses you. You know how much I resisted when you made me General because I knew what would have happened to me. Now the Friars want me to go to Rome to obtain a Brief so that the Friars of the Order may join us. I am not suitable to go into palaces. Therefore I beg that you may want to accept this undertaking.”

Fra Ludovico answered, “It is necessary to go to Rome because our adversaries have tried as hard as they could to impede the Bull. Therefore let us do it this way. You hold the seals and also the title of General. Send me to Rome with your obedience. Give me my brother as my companion and be at peace. Let us not do anything else unusual because of the many poor Friars who have settled down and have taken heart that the Congregation will go ahead. Otherwise you will be the cause of putting their leaving again into their heads.”

Fra Matteo replied, “All that you have said is true, but my spirit is not quiet. Therefore do it my way neither without making another Congregation nor for any other motive. Take the seals and the Bull because in Rome it is important to have full authority, and go to Rome.”

(270) Thus it was concluded. So Fra Ludovico immediately took the seals and Fra Matteo remained at peace about it. Following his first intention, he persevered with it until death.