   |
Handout #121 |
|
Testament of Francis (1226 A.D.) |
|
The Lord has given me, Brother Francis, grace
to begin thus to do penance; for when I was in sin, it was very bitter to me
to see lepers; but the Lord himself led me into the midst of them and I
practiced mercy towards them. And when I left their presence, what had
before seemed bitter to me was changed into sweetness of soul and body. And
after that I remained a little, and I came out from this world. And the Lord
gave me such great faith in the churches that I thus adored him with
simplicity and said, 'We adore you, Lord Jesus Christ, here and in all our
churches which are upon the earth, and we bless you for having redeemed the
world by your holy cross.'
Afterwards the Lord gave and still gives me so great faith in the priests who live according to the rule of the Holy Roman Church, because of their character, that, even if they persecute me, to them I shall have recourse. And if I had as much wisdom as Solomon, and if I found some poor priests of this world, I would not preach against their will in the parishes where they live. . And when the Lord gave me brothers, no one showed me what I must do, and the Most High revealed to me that I must live according to the rule of the Holy Gospel. And I caused it to be written in a few and simple words, and the Lord Pope confirmed it. And those who came to embrace this life gave as much as they could to the poor, they were content with a single tunic patched within and without at will, with a girdle and breeches. And we wished for no more. We clerks say the office like other clerks, the lay brothers say the Pater noster and willingly enough we remained in the churches, and we were simple and submissive to all. And I worked with my hands, and I will work still, and I strongly desire that all other friars shall labor at some work in conformity with honesty. Let those who know not how, learn, not with the desire of receiving payment for their work, but for a good example and to drive away idleness. And when they do not give us payment for work, let us betake ourselves to the table of the Lord begging alms from door to door. The Lord has revealed to me this salutation which we must utter; 'The Lord give you peace.' The brothers must not receive churches, poor dwellings, nor any other places built for them, unless conformable to the holy poverty which we have promised in the rule, dwelling here below like strangers and pilgrims. I strictly forbid all the brothers under obedience, wherever they may be, to dare to ask for letters at the court of Rome for themselves or for any interposed person, for a church or for any other place, under the pretext of preaching, or because of persecution against themselves; but wherever they are not received, let them pass on elsewhere to do penance with the blessing of God. And I firmly desire to obey the Minister General of this fraternity and the guardian it shall please him to give me. And let not the friars say, 'This is another rule. For it is a remembrance, a warning, an exhortation; it is my testament, that I, little Brother Francis, leave to you, my blessed brothers, in order that we may observe in a more catholic way the rule that we have promised to the Lord. And the Minister General and all the other ministers and guardians are bound by obedience to add nothing and take nothing away from these words. And in all the chapters they hold, when they read the rule, let them also read these words ...And whoever shall observe these things, let him be filled from heaven with the blessing of the most high Celestial Father, and on earth let him be filled with the blessing of his well beloved Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Paraclete; and with all the powers of heaven and from all the saints. And I, brother Francis, your little servant, as far as I can, confirm within and without this very holy benediction. |