[{{{type}}}] {{{reason}}}
{{/data.error.root_cause}}{{texts.summary}} {{#options.result.rssIcon}} RSS {{/options.result.rssIcon}}
{{/texts.summary}} {{#data.hits.hits}}
{{{_source.title}}} {{#_source.showPrice}} {{{_source.displayPrice}}} {{/_source.showPrice}}
{{#_source.showLink}} {{/_source.showLink}} {{#_source.showDate}}{{{_source.displayDate}}}
{{/_source.showDate}}{{{_source.description}}}
{{#_source.additionalInfo}}{{#_source.additionalFields}} {{#title}} {{{label}}}: {{{title}}} {{/title}} {{/_source.additionalFields}}
{{/_source.additionalInfo}}
console the afflicted. 12Let her also be the last refuge for those who are troubled, lest the sickness of despair overcome the weak should they fail to find in her health-giving remedies.
13Let her preserve the common life in everything, especially in whatever pertains to the church, the dormitory, refectory, infirmary, and clothing.a 14Her vicaress is bound to preserve it in the same way.b
15The abbess is bound to call her sisters together at least once a week in the chapter, 16where both she and her sisters should humbly confess their common and public offenses and negligences.c 17There let her consult with all her sisters concerning whatever concerns the welfare and good of the monastery, 18for the Lord frequently reveals what is better to the youngest.d
19No heavy debt may be incurred except with the common consent of the sisters and by reason of manifest necessity, and let this be done through the procurator.e 20Let the abbess and her sisters, however, be careful that nothing be deposited in the monastery;f 21for such practices often give rise to troubles and scandals.
- Cf. Consuetudines V: “Let the Prioress eat in the refectory and be content with the food of the convent…. If the Prioress should become ill, let her be taken care of in the infirmary with the others.”
- The appearance of a vicaress reflects a similar phenomenon among the Lesser Brothers, cf. Praenarbonenses 5: “In the chapter during which the election of the provincial minister takes place, let a vicar be appointed with the consent of the major part of the chapter.”
- This may show the influence of the 1198 Rule of the Order of the Brothers of the Holy Trinity 20-22: “In every house, the Minister is to hold a chapter with his brothers, every Sunday, if possible. The brothers are to render a faithful account to the Minister and the Minister to the brothers of the business of the house and of the things given to the house or the brothers, so that the third part may be set aside for the ransom of captives. Every Sunday, if possible, an exhortation is to be given not only to the brothers, but also to the domestics, according to their capacity; they are to be told simply about what they must believe and do. In the chapter the brothers are to be judged with regard to all matters and complaints.” Cf. “The Trinitarian Rule of 1198,” The Trinitarian Rule of Life: Texts of the Six Principal Editions. Transcribed and edited by Joseph J. Gross (Rome: Trinitarian Historical Institute, 1983). Hereafter, Rule of the Trinitarians.
- Neither text of Francis’s Rules, nor the prescriptions of Hugolino or Innocent described this form of chapter. The public confession of faults was an ancient monastic custom that strengthened personal fidelity to the rule of life. The inclusion of “the youngest” in the discussion of community business seems to be a direct quote from the Benedictine Rule, cf. 3:3. Most rendering of the texts have had “the least,” until the recent study of Chiara Agnese Acquardo, “ ‘Saepe enim Dominus quod melius est Minori Revelat’ (Regula S. Clarae IV 18): A Five-hundred Year-Old Erroneous Reading,” GR 17 (2003).
- This also shows the influence of the Rule of the Trinitarians 25: “If a debt must be contracted for some necessity of the house, it is first to be proposed to the brothers in chapter and done with their advice and consent, so that both suspicions and grumblings be avoided.”
- The Rule of the Trinitarians 35: “They are not permitted to accept a deposit of gold or silver or money.” See the Constitutiones 70 “Let no deposit of gold or silver, gems or any other previous item except books be kept in the brothers’ places.”
Regula [Clarae], Fontes Franciscani, p. 2297
12Consoletur afflictas. Sit etiam ultimum refugium tribulatis, ne, si apud eam remedia defuerint sanitatum, desperationis morbus praevaleat in infirmis.
13Communitatem servet in omnibus, praecipue autem in ecclesia, dormitorio, refectorio, infirmaria et vestimentis: 14quod etiam simili modo servare eius vicaria teneatur.
15Semel in hebdomada ad minus abbatissa sorores suas teneatur ad capitulum convocare; 16ubi tam ipsa quam sorores de communibus et publicis offensis et negligentiis humiliter debeant confiteri. 17Et quae tractanda sunt pro utilitate et honestate monasterii, ibidem conferat cum omnibus sororibus suis; 18saepe enim Dominus quod melius est minori revelat.
19Nullum debitum grave fiat, nisi de communi consensu sororum et manifesta necessitate; et hoc per procuratorem. 20Caveat autem abbatissa cum sororibus suis, ne aliquod depositum recipiant in monasterio, 21saepe enim de huiusmodi turbationes et scandala oriuntur.