About the first Fathers of the Province of Calabria whom Father John of Terranuova wrote. He was present for all these things and was one of the first Fathers.

295 The Capuchin Reform in Calabria 296 The initiators 297 After a dialogue between Bernardino of Reggio and Ludovico da Fossombrone the Calabresi Friars decide to don the Capuchin habit 298 They ask permission of the General and it is denied them 299 Padre Ludovico of Reggio obtains the support of the Dukes of Nocera and gathers his followers 300 A letter

(295) While all these things in Rome and the Marches and other parts were going on in the way you have heard above God had already begun to send new knights everywhere in order to support the venture. Still His Majesty wanted still to make another very beautiful (so to speak) choice of outstanding men as a greater succour and support for his work. This was in Calabria from where he brought forth such Reverend and valorous Fathers. Though I am avoiding the task of discussing them in length in order to say everything fully, I will say something from a distance so that the reader may understand everything I put down on paper.

(296) So in the Province of Calabria there were three very venerable Fathers, leaders in that Province for both learning and holiness. One of them was called Fra Ludovico of Reggio. The next was Brother Bernardino of the same city. The last was also called Brother Bernardino and was from Bisignano. Apart from his learning, Fra Ludovico of Reggio was a great man at governing. Brother Bernardino of Reggio was also very educated and a great theologian. Because of his great learning they called him il Giorgio because in his teaching he imitated the great Venetian scholar called il Giorgio and who belong to the same Order. As I said, these three Fathers were very zealous about the Rule and their vows. Already for many, many years they had desired a true and perfect Reform. Many other Friars with them shared this same burning desire.

(297) As it pleased the Lord God, the Reform of the Capuchin Friars had begun in the Marches, the Fathers of Calabria however did not know that the Capuchins had established a friary in Rome. By the providence of God the Brother Bernardino called George mentioned above came to Rome. (From here on when I have to name him I will always call him il Giorgio or Father George instead of Brother Bernardino.) In Rome he heard talk about the Capuchin Friars. He went to find Fra Ludovico da Fossombrone at Santa Euphemia. They talked for a long time about how much God had already done in the Marches and Rome by means of Brother Padre Ludovico , and equally about the good desire the Friars of Calabria had to reform themselves.

After the long discussion they parted company with a good resolution, though without saying anything to anyone. Father George went from Rome. He had Fra Ludovico give him a cowl. He took it with him secretly. It was like ours, of that poor, coarse cloth which the Capuchins wear. When he arrived in Calabria he communicated everything to Padre Ludovico of Reggio and with Father Bisignano and the others who were of the same mind. (I will say who they were later in the proper place.) When those good Fathers heard all this they all decided together to take up the same habit. Father George showed them the cowl of the Capuchin habit, and in particular put it on the head of Brother John of Terranuova who was the youngest among them at the time. However, before they carried out the matter they decided to ask permission of that General to be able to undertake a solid and true Reform in their Province. IN this way the General or the other Friars did not have, or to say it better, would not take the opportunity to complain about them. They asked for one or two houses in that Province, or more in needed, which were suitable for their purposes. That is what they did.

(298) So, since this was the time, the General Chapter had to be celebrated in Messina in 1532. To go there to do this the General passed through Calabria. On the opportunity of his return he wanted to celebrate the Provincial Chapter. This was done in the friary at Scigliano. When Padre Ludovico of Reggio and Father George heard this they did not want to go to that Chapter. So in order to observe courtesy and to carry out what they had concluded they sent in their place two Friars with letters to the General to ask that permission. They did this also to better observe what canon law orders us: anyone who wants to leave and Order or Congregation even if for a stricter one, the place where he enters, is where he asks permission. They added that if he did not want to grant them what they asked about reforming themselves, that at least he grant that they be able to do the Reform of the Capuchin Friars which they already understood to be in Rome.

When the General received these letters, instead of granting them the grace they asked, he tried to take and put in jail the bearers of those letters. However God wanted to help his servants. He worked it that when some good Friars, friends of Father George and the others became aware of this, they advised to those poor fellows secretly as they waited for the reply in the cloister. They advised them to depart immediately because the Father General wanted to incarcerate them. Hearing this they left by the door which goes to the Church and went of to safety. They took another road so as not to be overtaken if the General should send other Friars after them to apprehend them.

(299) When those poor fellows returned to Padre Ludovico and his other companions, they decided to do what they had already concluded and which they later did. So Padre Ludovico went away to Filogascio to find the Lord Duke and Lady Duchess of Nocera, the patrons of that State. Both were very Catholic and very affectionate towards the Order of Saint Francis. They were particularly good to those who were zealous in the observance. Once he revealed their desire to Reform, he asked the Duke and Duchess to give their support for this undertaking. Like true and magnanimous Princes, who love goodness, they promised Padre Ludovico to give their support and succour as generously as possible for such an important undertaking. With very sympathetic letters they immediately sent a messenger to the Viceroy of that Province to give this task better favour. Hearing this, Padre Ludovico began to gather together all the Friars who desired such a Reform. In the beginning they number fifteen. They were Padre Ludovico , Father George, Father John Candela and Father Bonaventure, Father Francis Palamone. These were all from Reggio. Also there were Father Bernardino and Father Francis of Bisignano, Father Michael of Castrovilla, Father Angelo of Calanna, Father Dominic of Mollocche, Padre Ludovico and his brother Bonaventure from Radicina, Father Francis of San Martino and Father John of Terranuova. He ordered that all of them come to Filogasio where, as has already been shown, the Lord Don Ferrante, the Duke of Nocera, and the Lady Dionora, the Duchess, his consort, had promised them all their support.

(300) Hence Fra Ludovico departed from the Lord Duke and went to Pizzo, a nearby castle. From there he wrote to Father George who had already returned to Reggio. I have a copy of the letter in my hand and I will put it down here exactly word for word as it was:

Reverend Father and ever beloved in the Lord. The Illustrious Lord Duke of Nocera has offered us every help and support. The Lord Gismondo left this morning for Cosenza and has taken letters of His Lordship to the Most Excellent Viceroy of the province in order to obtain his support and letters for Rome. I wrote to Brother Cataldo as Palamone and the other companions that we are hoping for the best in everything, since the matter is favourable in itself. Hence the kind God will not lack kindness and mercy toward those who love him. Therefore it is necessary that you come as soon as possible to Filogasio both to expedite our affairs and also to provide in anticipating our adversaries so that we do not have to suffer traps and dangers since at this time we are not in a safe place. Come, therefore, with these Friars whom I am sending you. From our other companions, send two of them to Seminara for Brother Bonaventure of Reggio. Of those still with you let two go to Oppido to get Brother John of Terranuova. Also give orders that some go to Cinquefrondi for those Friars who are there since they share our mind and desire. Let them bring the letters they find there. Let us do everything that has to be done as soon as possible and with that prudence God has given you. Nothing else. Pray to God for me. I will tell you more when we speak together. From Pizzo, the Vigil of Pentecost, in 1532.