On Preaching

26 The preaching of the Lay Friars 27 The Capuchins re-establish the preaching of the Scripture 28 Their fruitful preaching

(26) Such was the good example that those first Fathers gave to the world, that their good life made them all preachers. When the seculars could hear them speak about the things of God, they felt that they were in heaven.

When the Friars saw the fruit that was being produced, Brother Louis gave permission to everyone – Priests, Clerics and Lay Friars – to speak about the things of God when they were with seculars. Such was the abundance of spirit that the Lay Friars spoke so highly about the things of God that learned people considered them great preachers. The seculars were amazed when they heard that these were Lay Friars.

Once in the Province of Rome Brother Giles of Orvieto, a Lay Friar, arrived in a castle. Immediately the people came towards him. They asked if he wanted to preach. Worrying that he might read something wrongly from the Scripture he used a cautious ruse and said to them, “Bring me an inkhorn and a small amount of paper.” He did this in order to know if there was some one in that castle who would know. When the people answered him, “Father, no one in our castle knows how to write,” Brother Giles replied, “Go and ring the bell for the sermon.” He preached with such fervour that the people compelled him to stay with them for fifteen days, preaching to them continuously. Since he found a lot of enmity in that castle, he had them all reconcile. When Sunday came, a Friar of Saint Augustine came who was a master in theology in order t preach to the people. However when he heard of Brother Gile’s effectiveness he did not want to preach there so that Brother Giles would preach. However, after Brother Giles’ insistent pleading, he gave them a sermon. However the people immediately dismissed him and said, “We no other preacher than our Brother Giles.” Because of that simplicity God performed miraculous things. Not only in that castle but in many other places.

It would take too long to have to tell about all the examples of particular Friars, both Lay Friars or simple Priests, who bore marvellous fruit through their exhortations. However they did not usually preach, but when they saw people gathered they went to preach to them. From this it followed that they put a stop to many games, dances and other gatherings that dishonoured God. So when those who were playing or dancing heard that the Capuchins were coming they all fled.

(27) Not only the simple ones, but even the great preachers put aside subtleties that were preached in those days and preached the Gospel of Christ and the Sacred Scripture simply. And the Capuchins were the ones who rediscovered the preaching of the Scripture. This was so universally acceptable that all the other preachers were forced to preach the Scripture and leave aside all the questions, subtleties and philosophies. Otherwise they preached to the pews. For in those days they used to preach about nothing but dreams and Aesop’s fables and sang the verses of Petrarch discussed the questions of Scotus and Saint Thomas. Therefore the Capuchins occasioned the preaching of the Scripture.

(28) It was something marvellous. All of Christendom awoke at their preaching. Where earlier Holy Communion was received only once a year, people began to receive it often. Many Associations arose which frequented the most holy sacraments and dedicated themselves to works of mercy. These gave great example. For at that time Christian life was quite spent. However through the preaching of the Capuchins many lords, gentlemen and outstanding persons led the spiritual life. Among the people many restitutions were made and many converted to the spiritual life. The revelation that Our Lord gave to our Father Saint Francis was verified – that God had sent him into this world for the benefit of Holy Church. And although God would find many sins in the world, when the Order persevered in the observance of the rule and the spiritual life, God would always forgive the world through their holy prayers. However when the Order fails in its perfection, the Lord God will allow many scourges in the world. When all Italy came under the Bourbon with the sack of Rome, Our Lord God permitted that all Italy be restored to peace within a short time with the coming of the Congregation of Capuchins, and Italy remained in great tranquillity for many years. I believe the prayers of the Capuchins helped very much and among the people many left their sins because of their preaching and good example. They rediscovered the prayers of the Forty Hours of Father Joseph of Ferno from Milan which is so highly prized today. Furthermore many beautiful arrangements were made about the care of hospitals, especially the care of orphans as well as other pious works that all woke up because of the preaching of the Capuchins.