Chap. 1 - Reluctance to observe the Rule

What answer Blessed Francis made to the Ministers who did not desire to be bound by the Rule he had made.

Blessed Francis made three Rules, one approved by Pope Innocent without a Bull, another shorter one which was lost, then the one confirmed by Pope Honorius with a Bull, from which many things were taken out against the wish of Blessed Francis.

After the second Rule made by Blessed Francis was lost, he retired to a certain mountain, taking with him Brother Leo of Assisi and Brother Bonizio of Bologna, that he might make another Rule, which he had written as he was taught by Christ.

Whereupon many of the ministers came to Brother Elias, who was Vicar to Blessed Francis, saying: “We hear that this Brother Francis is making a new Rule, and we greatly fear that he is making it so severe that it will be impossible for us to follow it. We therefore beg you to go to him and say we do not wish to be bound by such a Rule, and that if he makes it, it will be for himself and not for us.”

To this Brother Elias answered he would not go without them, wherefore they all went together. And Brother Elias having come nigh to where Blessed Francis was, called him, and Francis answered him, and seeing the said ministers, asked him, “What do all these friars want?” Brother Elias replied: “These are ministers who, having heard you are making a new Rule, and fearing you will make it too severe, say and protest they will not be bound by it, but if you make it, let it be for yourself and not for them.”

Then Blessed Francis lifted his eyes to heaven and spoke thus to Christ, “Lord, did I not tell Thee they would not believe me?” At once all heard the Voice of Christ in the air, making answer, “Francis, nothing in this Rule is of thine, but all is from Me, and it is My Will the Rule should be observed to the letter, to the letter, without comment, without comment, without comment.” And He added, “I know how great is human weakness; let those who will not observe the Rule leave the Order.”

Then Blessed Francis, turning to these friars, said to them, “Ye have heard, ye have heard! Do you wish to hear it again?” The ministers, finding themselves thus reproved, left, filled with confusion and fear.