Holy probity

32 The Seraphic Father’s regard for it 33 The Capuchins, a mirror of probity 34 Ways to preserve it

(32) The reason that the early Fathers included in the Constitutions that neither the care of Monasteries nor hearing the confession of seculars should be taken up was to remove every activity and occasion that could have with time stained the beauty of holy probity. They based themselves on the rigour that Saint Francis had regarding this matter in the beginning of the Order. His Three Companions tell about Brother Philip. He was the first visitator of the Nuns who used to have dealings sometimes in a certain monastery that was in Assisi in order to reform them and for their benefit. Father Saint Francis commanded that he no longer continue this activity. However since he had already made some arrangements he felt it was difficulty not to be able to carry out that act of charity. So he went them many times again. When Saint Francis came to know about this he cursed him as the destroyer of his Order. By revelation from God he knew that the care of monasteries and familiarity with women must greatly hinder his Friars in the way of perfection. Because of the many scandals that would follow from them, these things must denigrate the beauty and fragrant probity of his Order.

And as those three Fathers tell, Father Saint Francis was going along the river one day with the Lay Friar who had accompanied Brother Philip to that monastery. In service to the Nuns he had taken messages both to Brother Philip and many others many times. When the Lay Friar heard that Father Saint Francis had given the curse to Brother Philip he was very afraid that the curse would also come upon him. He wanted to ascertain this for himself. Kneeling down with great humility and tears he asked forgiveness of Father Saint Francis for this and confessed his fault in all this to him. As a penance for wrong, Father Saint Francis commanded him to throw himself into the river. Since the river was big and in the depth of winter it swept him away for a good length of time. However, helped by the prayers of Father Saint Francis he managed to get out all wet. He continued the journey wearing that wet habit. The weather was very cold and the poor fellow went on dejected and shivering. Speaking to him, Father Saint Francis asked, “How are you, my son?” He answered, “Father I am no worse than I deserve for having acted against your obedience.” As Father Saint Francis consoled him he was reassured that the curse had not come upon him because he had acted in simplicity, thinking that he was doing the right thing. Instead the curse was on Brother Philip. The Lay Friar said to him, “Father, have I shared in this in any way since I did not know that you had commanded him not to go?” Father Saint Francis answered, “Your simplicity had freed you.”

(33) Therefore from this example and other instructions our early Fathers took great account of avoiding familiarity with persons who would arose suspicion in every possible way. They were so withdrawn that they hardly ever spoke with women, avoiding ell activity and friendship that could denigrate their reputation. It was something amazing. The Congregation was small at the time and the lived in such austerity many came and were unable to persevere, that one would go and another come. Nonetheless by the grace of God it lasted for many years that there was never the slightest word or suspicion about the holy probity of those who left in that way on their own, departing from our Congregation.

(34) It seemed that because of the great austerity of their life that the vice of the flesh was totally eradicated and torn out. God co-operated with them in such a way that in regard to probity it seemed as though they did not have a body. You would never have seen anyone speak with a woman except in a public place and in the presence of his companion and with his eyes lowered. They were like Angels. That vice was so abhorred and distanced from their conversation that they would not have eaten all those things that would dispose them to such a vice, such as spices, artichokes and hot herbs. If any of them ate some of them, the others were very scandalised by it. They drank so little wine that it was hardly ever heard of. Although most of the time they fasted on bread and water and a flask of wine would have been enough to last five or six Friars for a week. There were nine Friars in the fraternity at Borgo. They had a big glass flask that held two ordinary flasks. On Saturdays they took it out questing and it lasted until the next Saturday because they used to fill their beakers with water and add a little wine the way one puts oil on a salad. It was a miracle of God that all the Friars who drank the spring water said it tasted just like milk. And so it was, because I drank it for a period of a year and I always felt as though I was drinking milk.

When they were in the homes of seculars they always avoided sleeping on down pillows and soft beds. They’d much sooner sleep on boxes or on some table. When they went on a journey they always asked to sleep on straw. They fled from reading books that spoke about indecent things. Therefore they put into the Constitutions that such books should not be kept in our friaries. There were many Friars who affirmed that they did not know any woman by appearance. The considered it most inappropriate if a Friar should look a woman in the face while speaking with her. And so this reputation spread about commonly that the Friars did not speak with women. Nor did they want them given their little crosses, Agnus Dei and similar things so that they might be completely detached from women.