On the many great tribulations which the poor Capuchins had in different houses at this time

284 Rapid growth in the number of Friaries 285 Tribulations Different cases of the maltreatment of Friars 286 God wants his servants respected

(284) It pleased the Lord God still to train those early Fathers in all sorts of tribulations. Since the Holy Congregation had already come to give birth to many good and holy sons, Padre Ludovico gave instructions that houses be established in each of the Provinces. So they started houses in all the Provinces near to the Marches straightaway they had established friaries in the Marches earlier. The first was Camerino, as well as Fossombrone and other little places. In the Province of Saint Francis the first was Saint Valentine’s at Foligno. The second was the place at Narni. The third was at Montecasale. The fourth was at Collepepe. Scandriglia was the first in the Province of Rome. The second was at Riete. Later they left it and took up the place that they have nor for novices. This is the one they have now. The third was Our Lady of Miracles. The fourth was Santa Euphemia. The first in Tuscany was at Montepulciano. The second was at Sarteano, the third, Cortona. Ferrara was the first in Romagna. It was a place abandoned by certain hermits outside of Ferrara. The old house at Faenza was the second. The third was at Forli and the fourth at Bertinoro.

Then little by little the holy Congregation spread throughout all the Provinces of Italy. However the greatest rumour was in Calabria since in 1532 many Fathers of the Province of Calabria took the Capuchin habit.

(285) Because the poor fellows had never been seen before in all the Provinces except the Marches they suffered many tribulations. That is what happened to four of them who came from the Marches to go to Rome. When they were in a castle in Foligno, on a hill called Colfiorito, a wicked man grabbed his sword and beat those poor fellows with it from behind. He called them thieves, cheats and murderers. A poor woman saw him maltreat the poor fellows this way and said to that vile man, “You poor fellow. Don’t you know that they are poor Religious? Why harm them?” The man answered, “You won’t say that when they steal your chickens! These are the biggest swindlers on the face of the earth and you do not know them.” Continuously he would hit one and then the other. This persecution lasted for a distance of three miles until he gave up because he was tired and fell to the ground like a dead man after having made the poor fellows walk so quickly. They finished up by thanking God. When they saw he couldn’t continue and had stopped persecuting them, kneeling down they said to him very joyfully as with one voice, “May this be for the love of God and your charity.”

Father Peter of Pontremoli told me this. He was one of the four to whom this happened.

A similar thing happened to Brother Gratiano da Norcia and Brother Benedict Bergamasco. As they were coming from Norcia they were taken by Cassian and put in prison. They were thought to be spies and it was decided to hang them. However the Governor didn’t want justice done without the evidence of witness, or unless they confessed. So the order was given to torture them. When they removed the habits from them they saw that these two wore a harsh hairshirt against their bare skin. In their sleeve were the discipline and the Rule. Immediately they regretted mistreating them so and said to one another, “These aren’t spies, but a real servants of God.” So they let them go.

Again something similar happened to Brother John Pugliese. When he was coming from Alverna he was apprehended as a spy in the castle of Poppi and put deep within the tower where there was a long wide beam with a little bit of straw on it. Beneath it was water. He stayed there twenty-four days without eating anything else but the straw and drinking that bad water until he was freed miraculously by God, as will be told in its place.

Something similar happened to Padre Ludovico of Capranica when he was with Brother Benedict of Anchaiano at the end of the Valle Strettura, near the city or Terrani. They came across a little boy who began to cry from fear. A wicked young man heard the boy crying and came running. When he saw those poor Capuchins he turned against them with great fury and said many terrible things to them and that they wanted to rob the little boy. They he beat them many times. I was there when that holy man came to the friary at Narni. With great joy they recited the whole affair, giving thanks to God for having visited them.

Something similar happened to Father John of Viterbo. Padre Ludovico sent him to Puglia. What you will hear is what happened to him. While he was on the journey he met a cavalcade of people. When he saw those two poor little Friars, the leader of that cavalcade had Brother John and his companion stop. He said terrible things to them and offended them with coarse language while those Friars remained kneeling on the ground. They stayed quiet without answering a single word. They accepted the injury said to them willingly for the love of God. When that nobleman should have softened at the humility of those servants of God, it provoked him more to anger instead, like a cruel man. He became so furious that he called a servant and ordered him to take the leather belt from his sword. He ordered to have them stripped and be beaten until he said, “Do not hit them any more.” There among the men in the company of that gentleman there was not one who would say the slightest word in favour of those poor Friars. Rather they all stayed still like spectators of this deed. When his habit was removed Brother John was very happy to gain that precious joy of being scourged like our Lord for no cause at all. To him it seemed like the greatest treasure and richest gain to be like his Lord. However when his habit was removed the heavy, rough hairshirt Brother John wore against his bare skin became visible. Because of this, in a flash, the lion was transformed into a meek lamb. With many tears he came down from his horse and kneeling down asked him forgiveness. Then out of tenderness that servant of God, Brother John also began to weep. With great tenderness he embraced that gentleman and said to him, “My Lord, it is obvious that we are sinners as you have said because we are not worthy to accompany Our Lord. May God count this in your merit because you have told us the truth and I do not see it as an injury but as fraternal correction.”

When the nobleman heard these words and saw the deep humility of these servants of God he changed into another man and gave them many offerings. With tears he turned to his company and said, “In truth I tell you that I have been so edified by the humility of these two servants of God that from now on I promise to always keep this Order in my heart.” All the others in his company confirmed what that nobleman had said. Turning to those poor Friars he offered them all he possessed in the world and, when necessary, “I will lay down my own life for your Order.” With such contentment they parted. The Friar remained with some gain in merit and the cruel man now changed into a pious man went on his way.

I want to relate only one more example that happened in the city of Gubbio to someone who was dressed like a Religious but who had a very villainous heart. God gave him the chastisement he deserved although I do not believe that God gave him punishment just for the wrong he committed against the poor Capuchins. So Father Joseph of Colleamato was with Father Bartholomew of Spello in the city of Gubbio on the vigil of Our Lady in September. The two poor fellows went to a house of Religious in order to eat for the fast. It happened that at the time the superior was not at home. When they knocked on the door the Vicar of the house let them in with great charity. When they asked him for the love of God if would give them something to eat, the Vicar took them to the refectory. They wanted nothing apart from bread and wine. However the Vicar felt sorry for them because they were so tired, he wanted them given a salad. Low and behold, while these poor fellows were eating, the Superior came home. He was more than a little angry for having admitted those poof fellows into the refectory. Watching them as they ate the salad he said to them angrily, “You show off as saints. Today is the vigil of Our Lady and you are gorging yourselves quite nicely. If I was here you would not have entered the refectory. I eat bread and water and you who show yourselves to be more perfect than others accommodate yourselves here quite well.” He said many terrible things to them and then left the refectory in a fury. In that rage he went walking through his garden still grumbling as he went past a big wall. Suddenly and unexpected wind sprang up and hit the wall and knocked it down on top of him. He died miserably.

I heard this from Father Bartholomew of Spello who was there. All the people in those parts said that the wind was extraordinary because it was not heard either before or after the wall fell. They say subtle whistling sounds were heard in the air. It wasn’t considered that this befell him because of the Capuchins. They say that the poor fellow was saying Psalms, but that it was judgement from God. I subscribe to this also. His Majesty knows why the had that poor fellow die with such a sudden death, just as he alone knows all his other secret judgements.

For the sake of its usefulness, it seems to me that I shouldn’t remain silent about one thing that happened in Rome. There was a very learned Religious who was very capable with His Holiness. He was so inimical towards our poor Congregation that it seemed he never tired of putting us into the displeasure of His Holiness and seeking Briefs against us. After persevering for some months in this iniquity, the Lord Our God didn’t want it to go any further. For the heavy hand of His Majesty was upon that Religious. He became frenzied. He went around the house screaming with such strong voices that it was astonishing and frightening to everyone who heard him. He died miserably within a few days.

A similar thing happened in the friary at Narni where I was. At that time the venerable Father Eusebio da Ancona, Vicar of the Province of Saint Francis, was there. Listen now to this great spectacle.

Two Religious came to that Capuchin friary. They had the excuse of having come to speak with Father Eusebius. One them spoke with him in secretly. Deceptively he said to him, “Father, I have a great desire to become one of you. If you want to receive me within a few days I will come.” That Father answered him, “Wait a little so that I may decide.” He gathered us all together and told how that Religious wanted to be one of us. And Father Eusebius asked our opinion as to whether he should receive him. Once it was decided that Father Eusebius receive him, he was welcomed with much affection by everyone. And this is what he desired in order to have the opportunity to do what he did. For he came not to be a Capuchin but to corrupt a young man who had become a Capuchin a few days earlier. Having the opportunity to speak with that young man he did all he could to take him from the Order, even though he was professed. This displeased Our Lord God so much that he demonstrated it with sings no long after. For after returning to his religious house, three of four days later he climbed a tree to collect fruit. He fell from the tree and broke his neck and died without being able to say, “Jesus!”

What will we say about a secular in the city of Spoleto who had taken away his nephew who had been clothed as a Capuchin. Earlier he had taken away another who was his neighbour. Then he went around boasting and cursing the Order. He said, “I have already taken away two from this Order!” Vengeance on him was great because not long after the two children he had were killed.

There were four citizens in the same city that took back a novice from our Congregation. All four died unexpectedly not long after.

(286) I have written all these examples so that everyone will be careful not to stop the one who wants to serve God; and to bear respect for religious persons. Because there are countless obvious examples of his justice that make it clear that His Majesty does not want his servants offended. Rather, each one should show them reverence, having respect for the one whose servants they are. This is just as the proverb says, “Respect the dog for love of its master.”