How Pope Honorius III Altered the Rule of Saint Francis
The passage that Pope Honorius III altered is found in Chapter 10 of the Rule of Saint Francis. Here is the passage after the alteration:
“In whatever place the Brothers may be, if they feel and recognize that they cannot observe the Rule according to its spirit, they must turn to their Ministers and may address them freely.
Moreover, let the Ministers receive them with gentleness and charity; and let them behave so familiarly toward them that the Brothers may speak and act with them as masters would with servants: for it must be so that the Ministers are servants to all the other Brothers.”
The passage before the alteration reads as follows:
“Wherever there are brothers who know and recognize that they are incapable of observing the Rule literally, they must and may turn to their Ministers, but the Ministers are obliged to give the required permission to the same brothers with kindness and generosity; if they refuse to do so, the brothers themselves have permission and obedience to observe it literally, for all brothers, both Ministers and subjects, must be subject to the Rule.” 1
Here is the exchange between Saint Francis and Pope Honorius III on this point. Having read the passage in question that Saint Francis submitted for approval 2:
Pope Honorius III: “These words, if misinterpreted, could become a source of scandal and division for those who are not firmly established in the knowledge of truth and the love of virtue. Therefore, to avoid any danger in this regard, it is necessary that you modify this text somewhat.”
Saint Francis: “Most Holy Father, it is not I who introduced these words into the Rule, but Jesus Christ Himself, who knows better than I what is useful and necessary for the salvation of souls and the preservation of this religion. Therefore, I must neither can change them, for there will come a day when Ministers and prelates will make many suffer who wish to observe this Rule literally, as Our Lord commands.”
Pope Honorius III: “Brother Francis, I will personally ensure that, while fully preserving the meaning of these words, the Ministers understand that they are obliged to do what Our Lord requires and what the Rule prescribes, and the Brothers that they have full freedom to observe this life and this Rule strictly.”
History proved Saint Francis right, as many Brothers who later wished to observe the Rule as they had promised to God suffered incredible persecutions, with some even dying for it.