About Padre Ludovico Fossombrone and how he was incarcerated by the head of a Religious Order

287 Padre Ludovico distrusts an invitation made him by a certain Superior 288 Despite that he is put in jail 289 He is quickly released at the intervention of a certain nobleman

(287) The principal head of Religious Order could not even bear to hear the name of the Capuchin Friars. One day he sent a message to Fra Ludovico da Fossombrone and to ask him if he would kindly go and speak with him the following morning because he had to confer with him about some things of great importance. Oh Lord God, there is not evil one would not commit if he separates himself from your goodness! Behold the father of lies who blows in the ears of that person to get a hand on Fra Ludovico and he begins with a falsehood. He said he had to confer with him. The impious enemy knew well. With Fra Ludovico out of the way, he who struggled so mightily to defend the poor Congregation which opposed him, that it would soon fall and he would have the victory. Therefore he persuaded that Superior to send for Fra Ludovico as he did. That good Padre Ludovico , as our valiant fighter, was perceptive. Having nothing to do with that Superior he suspect some deceit. Among the other favours God did to help our Congregation he gave it great and important personages who would defend it. And the great number of these still increased, even ecclesiastics. That is Bishops and Cardinals openly spoke in our favour wherever and whenever it was necessary both privately with His Holiness and even in public and in the sacred Consistory. So what did Fra Ludovico do? When he received the call from that Prelate he went off to find one of those lords who supported us. He was the bravest and most valiant at arms. He always had a band of swordsmen around. He gave him a full account of everything. That lord advised Fra Ludovico not to go. He said it was a trap to snare him. Since he had nothing to do with him he should not get involved. However, Fra Ludovico did not want to give bad example himself by showing little humility in not going. More over he feared giving the proof of pride especially since the other had sent to him to ask that he come and that the discussion had to be about something important. So he asked that lord to be content to let him god. He said to him, “My lord, you would not agree that I give this bad impression of myself and show myself badly brought up. Therefore, kindly allow me to go and we will se what he wants. If it is something honest, licit and opportune to be done, we will agree quickly and I will return to Your Lordship. However if wants to put me in jail and does so, I go there willingly for the love of God. Then your support will help me. So we will do it like this. I will go early tomorrow morning to find him and I will quickly see to it to hurry with him and I will return to you. If I have not returned from him by the third hour or by mealtime be sure that Fra Ludovico is in jail. Then Your Lordship will be able to come do me a favour and free me, just as the Angel of God rescued Peter from the hands of Herod.” The lord promised to do that.

(288) When morning came Brother Padre Ludovico , as he said, went quite early to find that good Prelate. As soon as he entered the monastery and the Prelate saw him, he had Fra Ludovico taken and put in prison along with his companion without saying anything. He had it in mind to keep him there a long time, to die there, so to speak. While the Congregation was without its strong leader it would be easy to send it up in smoke. He also had the cowl removed from Brother Padre Ludovico ’ habit. Throwing it beneath his feet he trampled on it. He insulted and mocked it as if it were an animate object. He was so blinded by anger that he said, “Lay on the ground you cursed cowl because you have caused me many woes.

(289) The third hour came, the time to eat. The meal was prepared. When the lord did not see Fra Ludovico appear, he thought what might have happened truly had, that is, that Fra Ludovico had been imprisoned. Although he wasn’t completely certain, nonetheless because of the great love he had for the Congregation he got up immediately in the greatest rage. He gathered all his court. Almost all of them were soldiers. Riding with those armed men he went to the monastery of the Prelate. This brigade surprised no one because that Lord usually went around Rome accompanied by so many people. When they arrived at that monastery everyone dismounted. They knocked on the door. When those inside heard it was that Lord they opened the door straightaway. They all entered that house and as he had already ordered his soldiers, guided by those who were familiar with the rooms, the took to the stairs and covered all the main exits of the monastery, particularly those which went to the Church. They did this so that the Prelate could not escape and so that the Friars or others in their favour should not raise a din. Having done all this, the lord sent word to that Superior that he wanted to say two words to him and that if deign come him that he was waiting in the cloister. But when that Prelate heard these words and saw so many swordsmen, he and all his Friars were very frightened. Therefore the Superior came. He no sooner arrived when that lord began to rebuke him vehemently in good style. He called him a false Religious and a traitor. He added that he should bring Fra Ludovico and his companion immediately into his presence, because he knew for certain that the Prelate had used deception to make Fra Ludovico come in order to speak with him. Then, instead of discussion, like a deceiver and liar he had him put in prison. He said that if he didn’t have Fra Ludovico brought there with his companion immediately, that he would not only treat the Superior very badly but that then he would burn him and the whole friary. Because this lord was known to be terrible that Prelate was assailed by fear along with his Friars. Neither he nor any of the others dared to say the slightest word. However, Fra Ludovico and his companion were brought from prison instantly. Having sown the cowl back on, the two were removed from the prison and given to the Lord. He left the friary immediately, taking Fra Ludovico away with him and he returned him to his Friars.

Thus with this holy caution the Lord God freed the poor Congregation fro the hands of this persecutor who was so inimical of the poor Congregation. As to who this lord was it seems to me that I should remain silent out of respect. It is enough to say that he was powerful and courageous and influential with His Holiness, as well as a most ardent admirer of our Congregation.