On the difficulty our Fathers had to persuade Padre Ludovico da Fossombrone that he had to convoke the General Chapter

334 Anger has always caused excesses 335 Ideas of Padre Ludovico Fossombrone on the Reform 336 A conversation between Victoria Colonna and one of the principal Fathers on how the Congregation was going 337 Victoria Colonna exhorts Padre Ludovico to convoke the Chapter 338 Why he didn’t want to do this

(334) All the great servants of God and holy men have done great things in order to render due honour to God. They endured countless adversities with amazing patience just as is manifested in the Scriptures about the Holy Apostles, martyrs and other servants of God. However often those who had endured many things at first, when they felt their honour touched they could nothing else but respond. This is what we see with David. He had endured every evil because of the persecution of Saul and his son Absalom. However when the daughter of Saul despised him because with such humility and fervour he had danced before the ark of God he could not remain strong. The same for the very patient Job. When he saw himself despised by his friends, he couldn’t keep it in, but complained about them many times. It would take too long to refer to all the examples one could. Therefore Our Lord commands us with many injunctions not to offend our neighbour, threatening to send us to hell for the least offences.

This therefore was what has made and will make men do many evils, so that one is despised and trampled on by his neighbour. Any one who thinks about it carefully will see that the majority of these excesses have been caused by anger.

This was the main cause that Padre Ludovico did some things that he should not have. He felt he deserved that greater respect be shown him than what he received according to his opinion, even though those Reverend Fathers and holy men bore him every possible respect. If I had not known them all, I dare say I would have doubted it. However because I have been well acquainted with their humility and holiness, if anyone said it I would never have believed it. Because of this it must be said that Padre Ludovico should have had more patience. However I say frankly that as long as the Order lasts it will be greatly indebted to him for the many efforts he underwent in order to bring this poor Congregation into the good order it has.

(335) Since the Congregation had grown into a good number of Friars, with all the difficulties it pleased the Lord God to give it some order so that confusion not emerge. As all the principal Fathers were limited to Rome, and since it had been some time that the poor Congregation had not gathered the Fathers in General Chapter, they understood that Padre Ludovico should by all means convoke the General Chapter in Rome. The Holy Spirit was persuading them all to be very diligent because, nevertheless, it was clear there were great difficulties because the intention of Padre Ludovico was very different from the opinion of the others regarding the government of the Congregation. For he had determined that it be governed and be precisely according to the spirit of Father Saint Francis and observe the Rule well. Furthermore he had decided that they be called the Saint Francis’ Capuchin Friars of the hermitical life. This was because he wanted to be separated completely from the Order. Nor did he want to conform in dress or anything else to the others who lived under the same banner. He drew all this from the Three Companions of Saint Francis wrote, that is, Brother Rufino, Brother Leo and Brother Angelo Tancredi of Rieti. They wrote about the first intention our Seraphic Father had about how the Friars Minor should live. His intention was, as they said, to found an Order that was not obliged to many ceremonies nor establish houses that obviously are usually grand and sumptuous. Rather, they should live in little houses in isolated places built of mud and thatch. Furthermore this good Father wanted the Friars to work in conformity with the Rule and to live in part by their own labours. They should also be careful to strip themselves of every earthly affection. Most high poverty and simplicity should be apparent in their living, food, clothing and dwelling.

On the other hand our Fathers did not think to distance themselves in any way from the Order. Even though those Fathers were holy men and he regarded them as such, non the less Fra Ludovico believed that they did not have this intention and that in a short time they would return the Congregation to the same ceremonies to which they were accustomed in the Order. Because of this Padre Ludovico remained firm as will be said more amply in its place.

(336) Nonetheless, it pleased the Lord that when the Fathers saw Padre Ludovico ’ hardness they didn’t have the heart to say anything to him. They decided to send one of their number, the principal, to the Lady Marchioness of Pescara, Victoria Colonna, the most loving mother of our Congregation. Along with the whole Congregation Fra Ludovico had received countless benefits from her. With great modesty and prudence that Father went. During his discussion with Her Excellency, among the other spiritual matters that Lady said, “My Father, you should rejoice very much that you have come to this holy Reform. For unless I am mistaken, in the Order from which you came you were one of the important Fathers, and because of a common corruption you did not observe the Rule there. Instead I think that you were careful about greatness and the things which stain the pure observance of the your Rule. And as the saying goes I think that our Lord God dragged you by the hair and led you to where you may observe your profession perfectly and be sure of your salvation. In this holy Reform of Capuchin Fathers you did not find many difficulties nor may ambitions. Therefore I think that that you didn’t observe a scrap of poverty. No on the contrary in this Reform you see how well it is observed in all things. In dwellings today you one doesn’t see poorer houses in any Order than yours. It seems as if Father Saint Francis has appeared again since they are so conformed to those dwellings, as few as they were, that the blessed Father established in the beginning. I don’t recall having seen many except the one at Greccio in the Rieti valley. Regarding food and clothing, the poor Capuchins makes their habits from natural wool so that there are fews days in which I buy any for them. I think your habit is made from it. I need not say much about food because the poor fellows because the majority of them fast on bread and water continuously. Anyone who can’t is content with raw vegetables or in fact they make soup from cooked bread. I am well aware of all this. As for honesty then, I think all of you are saints. For the austerity of your life, your stinging disciplines and holy prayers are such that in regard to the body it is appropriate to think something else, that even the devil does not have the strength to tempt you. Therefore you are blessed, my Father, especially by being founder of this new beginning because you not only merit for yourself by doing good, but you will be rewarded by God as the inventor and founder of this holy Order. I would be pleased, my Father, that it there was anything not completely right that you would let me know about it. I say this because a few days ago one of the Fathers spoke to me. I don’t know who he was. He was probably a simple lay Friar and I didn’t want to hear him. However, since you are a capable and learned man, and because you are my confidant and I speak with you about everything. Therefore I would be grateful if you tell me everything.”

Because of his great surprise that venerable Father raised his eyes to heaven. With great wonder, with his mind and his tears, he gave thanks for the providence of God who inspired her Ladyship to say those words and give him the opportunity to say all he desired. Therefore with great humility he told her, “My Lady, Your Excellency should know that I have come for that reason. Therefore may you not be surprised at what I have done and about the tears I have shed because I have given thanks to his providence with my mind for having inspired you to initiate this discussion because I did not know how to begin.

“You have given me the opportunity. Therefor I say to you that there is no doubt that I was dying in that state in which I used to be. I was well given over to damning myself because I frankly confess that I never understood what the Rule of Saint Francis was. I knew very well how to make syllogisms and to speak about sacred theology. However I knew very little about what was required for my salvation. Now by the mercy of God I am in this holy Reform. I know very well that I have spent most of my time vainly. I could not express the perfection of this holy Reform and the great simplicity with which the poor Capuchins observe their profession. And because Your Excellency has always been a good mother to them and desires that it be preserved in all perfection, our Fathers have sent me just to tell you that we lack one thing only. When this matter is resolved it could be said that we will lack nothing. Because you have given me occasion and also because of our need I want to tell you what the matter is so that you may provide a remedy for us. We all hope that Your Excellency can do this easily. Therefore what is lacking is this. Our Padre Ludovico da Fossombrone has governed our Congregation for ten years and His Paternity has never convened a General Chapter. This is against the Rule and intention of our Seraphic Father who requires that the General Chapter gather every three years. A General Chapter was held at the beginning, but was of little import because they were so few Friars. Because Your Ladyship, according to you prudence, would be able to work with this Father of ours so that he may completely want to convene the Chapter. However above all I would advise to say nothing that others have spoken with you about this so that he does not imagine that we want to remove him from office.”

(337) That Father left her and having understood the matter after some days Her Ladyship left straightaway for San Marino where she stayed. She found secret and suitable ways and sent to Padre Ludovico to say to him that he should come to San Marino. When he arrived in her presence she began beautifully to say that it would be good if he convened the Chapter since the Congregation had grown.

He replied. “My Lady I know that what you are saying is true. I do in fact want to do that but it is still not the time.” Padre Ludovico did this for the reasons we have said above. He did not do it because of ambition, as some say. I have been well informed on this matter. I say that is not true.

Although it seemed to her that he was right, after many petitions and having confronted him many times the Lady Marchioness ultimately said to him, “Padre Ludovico , I want you to promise me by all means to convene the Chapter. You are not to depart from me if you do not promise me. You know how much I love the Congregation and especially you who are its head. I know you have the Congregation at heart. However I would have believed that such a just matter would have been adequate indication for you.” Seeing him so determined, she left him alone for a while and gave him time to think it over.

Padre Ludovico was destroyed when he saw himself accosted by the valid arguments of that Lady. Never the less he feared that it would have been the ruin of that the poor Congregation. She was compelled to speak with him one more time. “Forgive me, my Father, you are not going to leave in my good grace if you do not promise me. I will keep you here many days, though out of kindness and not in prison therefore, as some say. Rather I will give a room for you and your companion.” She did not want to give him permission to leave. They talked all day together about the things of God. This made her believe that this Father was happy and she returned yet again to ask him the same thing.

Padre Ludovico saw that if he didn’t promise her, Her Ladyship would have been scandalised since she was so holy and good and loved the Congregation so much. He made up his mind and promised her. In this way he softened about holding the Chapter. However because Her Ladyship led a spiritual life she felt remorseful for having detained him and not allowed him to depart. She thought that this would have been a violence, just as if his confessor had obliged him by conscience. She immediately went to His Beatitude Paul Third and confessed it. His Beatitude bowed his head low because she had the audacity to retain the Head of an Order and he absolved her from excommunication. However he knew about her holiness. Because of the great love she bore towards the Congregation he wanted to console her. He said to her, “I know very well that Your Excellency has done this because of the great love she bears towards her Capuchins. I believe that you have maintained that love and have not sinned because regarding your good intention. However I absolve you from the excommunication because it was not your business to do violence to a religious person. Instead you should have made it known to me. Therefore next time you will be more careful. Do not think you have scandalised me. Rather I am completely edified by your good heart. Come with every confidence because I regard you as before.” So he sent her away with great joy and order that Fra Ludovico convene the Chapter.

(338) It seemed to those venerable and judicious Friars who had come to our Congregation, whom we mentioned above, that the Congregation had been sent and directed very much by the Holy Spirit to the perfect observance of the Rule. Therefore they knew that the Chapter was necessary. Although he had made the promise to the Lady Marchioness, aware of this and seeing that Fra Ludovico continued nevertheless, they wrote again to Her Excellency. She personally returned to His Holiness and told him everything.

Padre Ludovico did not do this out of any suspicion he had about those venerable Fathers who had come again to the Congregation but because they were novices in the Congregation. He knew quite well that they were very holy men. On the other hand those who were established and old in the Congregation were mainly simple Friars. However those who had come recently were learned and high in the esteem of everyone. Therefore he considered that the positions of leadership would go into their hands and that they would fill the Congregation with the ceremonies which they brought with them from whence they came. He abhorred those ceremonies so much that it made him worry and stay firm regarding the convocation of the Chapter. He felt his suspicion was reasonable since earlier some of them had persecuted the Congregation very much. Therefore he said, “Who knows if they have not come in order to ruin it?”

Truly this good Father loved the Congregation very tenderly since he had given birth to it with so many travails and sorrows. If it had been any one else I do not know how he would have succeeded amid so many persecutions as this good Father did by the grace of God. He was very much loved by everyone and I remember hearing this said by many Friars who never saw him, “I like to look at Fra Ludovico like Father Saint Francis. I really believe he is a very holy man and I have the greatest devotion towards him because if he were not a holy man he would never have been able to persevere amid so many travails.” If he had not excused himself, they certainly would have re-elected him. The Friars were sympathetic towards his weakness, as they should be, considering how many benefits they had received from him. Amen.