How the General Chapter assembled again in Rome in the month of September by command of His Holiness Paul III

349 The fear and uncertainty of the Friars 350 The Cardinal of Trani presides at the Chapter 351 Bernardino of Asti is re-elected General 352 Ludovico expounds his points of view at Chapter 353 He abandons the Congregation 354 His end 355 The exhortation of The Cardinal of Trani 356 The benevolence of the Pontiff

(349) With all the material creatures created by the Most High God was co-created and joined an encompassing quality that inclines them each to its end where like a centre they are preserved and are at rest. While they have not yet arrived at their centres or their ends for which our Lord God has created them they never rest but are always in motion. Similarly spiritual creatures always struggle and are never at rest until they arrive at their end. The Apostles of Jesus Christ, having already tasted the holy conversation of the Son of God who had left them by bodily death and returned to his Father, were never content nor ever rested until through bodily death they were united in heaven with their much beloved and sweet Master. This made them with every degree of perfection despise the world with all its things. Rather then they were contented when they saw themselves in conformity with the life of the Lord. Their desire to return to his presence was so great that they desired with an intense desire to be all martyred, having carved in their heart to every rejoice outside of the enjoyment of their Lord.

It was just like this with the poor Congregation of Capuchins. Most of them had been fugitives in the mountains and in the woods for about ten years for fear of being captured and returned again to the lax life. So with many tears the servants of God continuously commended themselves to him so that he would give them the grace to be able to settle in order to dedicate themselves perfectly to holy contemplation, so dear to God. They knew that in the sea of this world one cannot taste God in the slightest way except through holy contemplation. While being so afflicted and travailed it didn’t seem they could enjoy the purpose of religious life, which is holy prayer. Therefore being unsettled was a great affliction for them. They very often said to one another, “We have always thought and hoped that when the General Chapter gathered the Congregation would have to be consolidated. Now we find ourselves more unsettled than ever. It seemed to us for many years that a short time would pass in order to see what may become of us. There is hope in that His Holiness has taken up the task to erect and calm the Congregation. For since the Order was founded at the time of our Father Saint Francis when there was some doubt born the Order has always had recourse to the Holy Shepherd of the Church. His Holiness has always provided for its needs. Therefore were are of good courage because it was not without reason that he had had this Chapter reconvene. The Order has never received any harm from the Pontiff.”

(350) By the grace of God therefore the designated time came. All the vocals were assembled again in Santa Euphemia. It caused great astonishment among seculars and disturbed the entire poor Congregation. None the less, as it pleased God, His Holiness ordered that not only the vocals come but all the Friars who could. And so it was done. Furthermore His Holiness made the Cardinal of Trani his Commissary at the Chapter. When the body of the Chapter had gathered in the refectory in order to being the holy Chapter, His Lordship gave them a very beautiful sermon. He spoke about the charity and holy union which they had to have with one another and about the grace which God had given them in calling them from the world to serve His Majesty in such a Congregation. He also spoke about risk, not only that which had been in the past, but which was still present more than ever. Therefore they had to be with the fear of God and walk straight ahead in everything with truth, simplicity and purity of heart, especially in the election. The election had to be done with all sincerity and far from any subornation. The Friars should strip themselves completely of all ambition that is like a venomous snake. ‘Where it enters and bites it poisons the whole body and puts at risk anyone who is struck by its bite. Therefore you should come to this election with that fear of God which is necessary for good and holy Religious, electing the one you judged to be the best and most suitable for this office. Thus your election will be carried out not only canonically but also in a holy way.’

(351) When the Cardinal finished speaking the came to the invocation of the Holy Spirit and then the election of scrutineers. The Cardinal wanted to be one of them. They began to count the votes. It was a wonderful thing that those little brothers went with so much simplicity to give their vote to the Monsignor who was in the middle of the other two scrutineers. As is the custom, one of them wrote down the votes. Once they had given their vote they kissed His Lordship’s hand. When he saw the great simplicity and purity of those servants of God he derived such devotion and was completely convinced and well edified. Astonished, he took joy in watching those Friars proceed with such modesty, silence and devotion. The same Father Bernardine of Asti was elected unanimously in the first ballot. Thus he was announced as General and confirmed by the Cardinal. On behalf of His Holiness he handed him the seals. In the presence of all the Chapter he offered himself to Father Bernardine and the Congregation for the future as defender, benefactor and father of all, just as he had been before.

Then he turned to Padre Ludovico and encouraged him to give all his obedience to the Father General and to help him as much as he could.

(352) The entire body of the Chapter gathered again in the refectory on returning from the church after the election. As is the custom His Lordship wanted the entire Chapter to be seated each in his place. While all the Friars were gathered together with the Cardinal, a lay Friar came into the refectory. I knew him by sight but I do not remember his name. Beside himself like a drunk man, in the middle of the refectory he threw himself to the floor and rolled three times. Then with great fervour he turned to Padre Ludovico and said, “You imagine yourself to have made this Congregation and you are deceiving yourself very much because Jesus Christ has done this an not you. While it may be true that you have struggled ten years for the Congregation and all the things went well for you thanks to the Congregation. The one time you have disagree with the Congregation and you have knocked down its Head. Pride does not please God!” He then gave a little jump and fled away. This was a great surprise to everyone.

The Cardinal began to speak again. Turning to Bother Ludovico he said to him, “Padre Ludovico , I encourage you to be at peace and be calm. If, for you peace of mind, you wish to propose something to the Congregation, say it confidently in the presence of these Fathers so that anything that can be done to satisfy you may not be overlooked.

Padre Ludovico replied, “Monsignor and other Fathers. I asked three things that have always been my intention for the Congregation to observe. The first is this. I wish the Friars to work and that they may live partly from their own labours. The second is this. That just as the Father General of the Conventuals confirms the election of our General, according to the Bull our General should receive that confirmation from the Father General of the Zoccolanti. The third is that the Friars should lead an eremitical life and exercise themselves in holy contemplation. It was never my will to make a Reform that would return again to the laxity of the others, being subjected to many superfluous and fruitless ceremonies, but that the Vicars keep a sharp eye to receive just a few and good men. Houses should be established far from the cities so that while being withdrawn the Friars would not get entangled with the world, but exercise themselves in abstinence and holy contemplation. For there is no need to make another Order that lives in a lax manner like the others and which again returns to large convents, studies, confessions, learning to chant and other similar ceremonies as good as they may be. However the Church of God does not need someone to do these things since she has many who do these things already. Rather the Church does need someone to revive the ancient fervour and good customs of the early Fathers and holy Religious. For just as we see all the Orders if they have become lax and leave the solitary houses, they have retreated to the delights of the city. Therefore this was my intention. To make a Congregation of a few, perfect observers of the Rule of Saint Francis who only exercise themselves mainly in the true observance of poverty. As for preachers who have to preach in the cities they should be only a few, good ones of them and only a few good ones of those learned men who come to the Congregation. Because our Reform would be vain if we should return in a short time to that lax life which we led in the Order before. God has given us a great grace in that he has separated completely by habit and customs from the others. I would be content by an act of union regarding representation and dependency on the General. As for everything else we would be of that kind that our Father Saint Francis calls Friars of the desert. He says he wants to be one of those and calls them Friars of the round table, separated by His Majesty from all the others in the deserted places in order to listen to and contemplate very attentively what Our Lord God says to their minds. This has been the sorrow which has weighed on me the most, that I see this poor Congregation which has been made with so much struggle and brought to this conclusion, that in a short time it has to return to the flesh pots of Egypt.

Padre Ludovico concluded and the Cardinal turned to the Fathers, saying, “And you, Fathers, how do you respond?”

The Father General wanted the first Definitor to reply, who answered, “Monsignor, to the first proposal of Padre Ludovico I reply that I have also always been of this opinion that in observance of the Rule that the Friars work manually. None the less, some agree, some disagree. Yet we are about to resolve that. The second proposal about being under the Zoccolanti, we are of the contrary opinion. As for the third, we will establish an arrangement that partly attends to contemplation, partly to the divine office, to study and other necessary things since preaching and helping one’s neighbour is no less important that working and staying so isolated.

(353) Rising to his feet the Cardinal, somewhat stunned, said loudly, “O Father, why did you have to speak?” He was stunned that he had replied only four words to such a long speech of Brother Ludovico. With great kindness the Cardinal turned to Ludovico and encouraged him to be at peace. Then the Father General with all the Father Definitors all with tears threw themselves upon their knees in front of Padre Ludovico . They begged him to be at peace. They said he would always be the patron of the Congregation and offered him to choose whichever companion, province and house he wanted. They said that whatever he desired would allows be given him. However when the Cardinal saw that he was obstinate, he reprimanded him, forbidding him to ever come before him again. Then he turned to the Fathers and said to them, “My Fathers, it is better for you that this Father stay by himself because he would always oblige you to do something. Therefore allow us to help him there.”

Thus is happened for His Holiness gave him a Brief so that he could stay off on his own with the capuchin habit. However because the Bull commands that the pointed cowl may not be worn outside the Congregation, he wanted the point of the cowl to be removed. And so the poor Father stayed here one minute and there the next. Never the less he always gave good example.

(354) At the end of fourteen years our Father General, Father Eusebius of Ancona, told me when I was in Rome to go and find Padre Ludovico who was in the city of Perugia at the time. He told me on his behalf to beg him to return to the Congregation. I went and begged him warmly. The poor fellow answered me, “I have been outside the Congregation for fourteen years and no one has ever made the offer or said the words that this Father says to me!” So within a few days he returned was received and placed in the house of Amelia. The poor fellow was very happy there. However when this reached the ears of Lord Carpi, Protector of the Franciscan Order, he wanted him sent away again. Why it was is unknown. The poor fellow departed weeping. Nor has it ever been possible to know what had become of him except I was told the he was staying in the mountains of Cagli in a hidden place which no one knew about but a certain friend of his who took him bread once a week. He led an anchoritic life. However since I have not been able to know for certain, I cannot affirm more than that. It is enough that there is an example for all to keep one’s head lowered and to fear the judgements of God.

(355) Returning to Monsignor Trani. With great kindness he turned to the body of the Chapter and said to them, “My Fathers, be of good courage, because I have been completely edified by this holy Congregation. I have seen very well and first hand that there is no ambition among you, which I doubted at first. Rather there is only simplicity. I have always supported you and will support you more than ever. Be careful to make good use of this beautiful state that our Lord God has given you in the womb of the Holy Church in these such wicked times. Do not fail yourselves or the Church who has so much hope in you because you are regarded as holy men by every one. All eyes are on you and there is no other mirror today which shows us the apostolic life. There is no other Order in which the image of holiness and observance of the gospel of Christ except in your Congregation. I tell you that in the Court, when one wants to use some metaphor for holy men we say, ‘he is like a Capuchin!’ On the other hand, in this garden of Saint Francis with so many beautiful plants the enemy of human nature will not fail to sow some wild, foul smelling weed. Therefore help yourselves with the example which our Lord gave us. After his resurrection he appeared to Magdalen in the form of a gardener with a hoe in his hand. It was as if from then on he would be like a gardener always ready to root out all the weeds which would come forth in the garden of the Holy Church after His Majesty was assumed into heaven. Do likewise yourselves. Do not spare the hoe. I say this to you Superiors. Root out the weeds if you want to continue. Do not be too ready to receive too many of them because they are few the chosen of God whom His Majesty will support so much that they will be able to endure this life. Where there is a multitude is precisely where confusion emerges. Be humble. Where there is humility, there is God, and where there is God this is every good. I will not fail to keep His Holiness informed. Know that if you persevere in you simplicity you will always be supported and helped by His Holiness and the whole Court.”

Thus he departed, blessing everyone on behalf of His Holiness. That holy Prelate recommended himself humbly to everyone to pray for His Holiness, for all the Church “and for me who am completely yours.”

(356) On returning he informed His Holiness and all the Court very well. He depicted them all as holy men. As a result, because everyone already loved the poor Congregation, it was loved much more from then on. In particular His Holiness embraced us and gave us the Bull and every possible support. This was one of the things that consolidated our Congregation more than any other Bull or favours that it had received. For until this time there had always been some doubt because of the many problems that the Congregation had. After this a great multitude of Friars came from the Order, and even more seculars. Novitiates were ordered in all the Provinces. To the praise of our Lord Jesus Christ, of his most fair Mother and of Father Saint Francis. Amen.