The First General: Brother Matthew of Bascio

1 The Origins of the Friars Minor Capuchin 2 election of the first General 3 The first Constitutions 4 Brother Matthew renounces the Generalate

(1) In the year 1525 Brother Matthew of Basci, a land situated near Monte Feltro, began the Congregation of Capuchins. As has been described adequately elsewhere, Brother Matthew took up the habit of Saint Francis by a revelation from God. It had been hidden since 1352 until 1525. This good Father brought it to light again and made it known to the world. For the shape of the habit was lost in the time that Brother Michael of Cesena from the Province of Bologna was General of the whole Order and John XXII was Pope. It was fifty four years after the death of Saint Bonaventure.

Many venerable Fathers and holy men followed Brother Matthew and with great fervour followed Brother Matthew’s austerity. When the number of Friars reached about eighteen Friars, they assembled together and by common agreement they chose twelve of them as vocals. They assembled in a hut near a little house – a hut that the Friars had built up against the house and which was near a small castle called Albacina in the dominion of Fabriano. Therefore with the little General Chapter gathered there in great simplicity, and having invoked the Holy Spirit with many tears, they chose the blessed Matthew of Bascio as their General. He firmly resisted. Nonetheless his dear brothers and companions wanted their election to stand firm and valid. When he saw that this was the will of God he humble lowered his head and accepted the office. Then following this all the Capitulars made three Guardians for Camerino, Fossombrone and Albacina.

In the same Chapter they made the first Ordinances. These were so simple, beautiful and well ordered that it was obvious that the Holy Spirit made them. The Constitutions we have now take their origin substantially from those. Just as I have heard from those first Fathers they had not other provision in that Chapter but a large cracked flask full of wine, a stemless glass that they turned upside down after they had finished with it, and bread and fruit.

This holy man did not govern very long because in that time our Congregation suffered great persecutions and he was not apt to appear in the palaces of Cardinals since he was totally a spiritual man. This was the reason, and as God also revealed it to him, that he had to go preaching the commandments of God. During his time our Congregation had not gone out from the Province of the Marches.

Blessed Matthew followed his vocation nt he famous city of Venice, in the Church of Saint Moses where there was a Priest who was an acquaintance of his. Illustrious with many miracles he passed away to the better life. With the support of His Holiness’ Nuncio, the Zoccolanti Fathers took that holy body and buried it in Saint Francis della Vigna where the Lord still does not cease to show how pleasing this servant of his may be, working countless miracles at his tomb.