CHAPTER VI

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FRATERNITY

The brothers in positions of responsibility should exercise authority in the spirit of St. Francis. “However, the brothers who are subject to them should remember that they have renounced their own wills for God. Therefore, I strictly command them to obey their ministers in all those things which they have promised the Lord to observe and which are not against their conscience and our Rule” (Regula Bullata 10).

Our Seraphic Father Francis himself, in replying to the question of a certain Brother, described what kind of a man the Minister General of this family should be: “He must be a man who takes religious life seriously, is very discreet, and has a good reputation. A man who has no particular friendships, so as not to be a source of scandal to the rest. A man zealous for prayer... he must be a man who has no place in his heart for sordid favoritism, who cares no less for the humble and simple as for the wise and great. A man who, although he may be very learned, reflects piety and simplicity in all that he does and cultivates virtue. A man who detests money, the main cause of corruption of our profession and perfection... A man who consoles the afflicted, since he is the last refuge for the troubled, for fear that, not finding any healing remedies from him, the illness of despair may overwhelm the weak. In order to induce the violent to meekness, he should humble himself and forego something of his rights, so as to gain a soul for Christ. Toward those who take flight from the Order, as to lost sheep, he should not stifle his own inclination to tender mercy, knowing that the temptations which bring a man to such a pass are overpowering.

“I would want him honored by all in the place of Christ and with charity to be provided with all necessities. On the other hand, he should not seek honors, nor delight in favors more than offenses... Finally, he should be a man who in no way will weaken the stern standard of justice in an effort to retain honors, and will consider so great an office to be a burden rather than a dignity. However, he should not let apathy grow out of excessive gentleness, nor a breakdown in discipline out of lax indulgence, so that while he is loved by all, he will be none the less feared by those who do evil... This is what the Minister General of the Order must be like” (2 Celano 185, 186).

St. Francis further remarked: “I would want him to have assistants of upright character, who like himself would give good example: strict as regards pleasure, strong in adversity, affable and approachable, welcoming with holy joy all who visit them” (2 Celano 186).

“In the name of the Lord! All brothers who are constituted ministers and servants of the other brothers shall station their brothers in friaries... and they shall often visit them and direct and encourage them spiritually... And let the ministers and servants recall what the Lord says: 'The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve' and that to them has been committed the care of the souls of their brothers, concerning whom, if anyone should be lost through their fault and bad example, they shall have to give an account before the Lord Jesus Christ on the day of judgment” (Regula non Bullata 4).
“Those who are put in charge of others should be no prouder of their office than if they had been appointed the task to wash the feet of their brothers” (Admonitions 4). “Moreover, whoever is in authority should be the servant of the other brothers. Let him have and show each brother the mercy he would wish to have shown himself in any similar case. Nor should he become angry with a brother over his offense, but kindly admonish him and bear with him in all patience and humility” (Letter to All the Faithful II).

In the judgment of St. Francis, however, chapters of the brothers enjoyed the highest importance in conducting the government of the Order. For “after the brothers had increased, as a solicitous father he began to gather them in general chapter, so that... he might give each his portion of obedience” (Legenda Major IV, 10), and to address everyone in words which he would address to future chapters by letter, so that the brothers by studiously reading it might arrange all matters to promote its observance in the whole Order. “Listen, sons of the Lord and my brothers, and give ear to my words. Be attentive with the ear of your heart and obey the voice of the Son of God. Keep his commandments with all your heart and practice his counsels with pure intention. Proclaim the Lord for he is good, and glorify him in your works, since this is why he has sent you into the whole world, so that by word and deed you may bear witness to his message and tell everyone that there is no one almighty besides him. Persevere in this instruction and in holy obedience, and what you have promised him fulfill with good and firm resolve” (Letter to All the Brothers).