The Writings of St. Francis of Assisi

[288] See Bullar., t. I, p. 315.

[289] On the origin of the Second Order and the early Rule, see Lemmens: “Die Anfänge des Clarissenordens” in the Römische Quartalschrift, t. XVI, 1902, pp. 93-124, which is in the nature of a rejoinder to Dr. Lempp’s article with the same title, published in Brieger’s Zeitschrift für Kirchengeschichte, XIII, 181-245.

[290] This Rule is contained in the bull Solet annuere, of Innocent IV. See Seraphicae Legislationis textus originales, page 49 seq. See also Bullar., I, 167; Ann. Min., III, 287.

[291] Forma vivendi. See Seraph. Legislat., p. 62.

[292] The biographers place the writing of this fragment in the autumn of 1220, after St. Francis returned from the East.

[293] See Seraph. Legislat., p. 63.

[294] They are numbered IV and V among the Episiolae in his edition of the Opuscula.

[295] This bull, which had been lost for several centuries, was brought to light early in 1893, after a protracted search in different countries; it was found wrapped within an old mantle of Saint Clare, preserved in the Monastery of Santa Chiara, at Assisi. See Seraph. Legislat., pp. 2, seq. See also G. Cozza-Luzi: Un autografo di Innocenzo IV e Memorie di S. Chiara, ed. 2da., Rome, 1895.

[296] Some critics regard this fragment as a promise or engagement accompanying the formula vitae or as the beginning of p. 78 the formula itself, and believe that the text of the latter, now lost, was also inserted originally in the sixth chapter of St. Clare’s Rule. Be this as it may, it is certain that this chapter has been completely changed in several editions. In the vernacular versions of it, based on Wadding, the two fragments here given do not appear at all. See Fr. Van Ortroy, S.J., in Anal. Boll., t. xxiv, fasc. iii, p. 412.

[297] See 2 Cel. 3, 132.

[298] Sabatier; Vie de S. François; Étude des Sources.

[299] See also Goetz, l.c., t. XXII, pp. 372 seq.

[300] See 1 Cel. 17; 2 Cel. 3, 99.

[301] See Bonav., Leg. Maj., III, a.

[302] It is also expressly cited in the Leg. III Soc. 11 and 29.

[303] “Circa ultimum vitae suae,” etc. See Bullarium Franc., t. I, p. 63.

[304] “À la fin de chacune de ces crises, il faisait de nouveau son testament.” Speculum Perf. (ed. Sabatier), p. xxxiii, note 2. See also Speculum (ed. Lemmens), No. 30.

[305] See S. Francisci Intentio regulae, nn. 14 and 15, in the Documenta Antiqua Franciscana, P. I, p. 97.

[306] See Documenta Antiqua Franciscana, P. II, p. 60.

[307] The text of the Testament given by M. Sabatier in his edition of the Speculum Perf. is that of this Assisi MS.

[308] It may also be found in the Speculum Minorum (Tract. III, 8 r) and in the Annales of Wadding (ad an. 1226, 35).

[309] See 1 Cel. 17, where this passage of the Testament is quoted. See also Bonav. Leg. Maj., II, 6; and Leg. III Soc. 11. Some texts instead of “feci misericordiam cum illis” give “feci moram cum illis”: “I made a sojourn with them.” See Miscell. Franc., III (1888), p. 70. It is interesting to note here how St Francis on the eve of his death, casting a backward glance over the ways by which he had been led, dwells on this incident which had marked a new era in his life.

[310] Cod. As. reads “talem fidem,” “such faith.”

[311] Cod. As. and O. omit “here.” (See 1 Cel. 45; and Bonav. Leg. Maj. 43, where this prayer may be found.) Cod. An. Firm. and Wadd. insert “here.”

[312] Order, i.e., sacerdotal character.

[313] Priests of the world, i.e., secular priests.

[314] See 2 Cel. 3, 99, where this passage of the Testament is quoted; see also Bonav. Epis. de tribus quaestionibus in which it is also referred to. (Opera Omnia, t. VIII, p. 335.)

[315] See Leg. III Soc. 29, for reference to this passage.

[316] Cod. O. reads: eramus ”we were content.”

[317] Cod. As. omits qui volebant, “by those who wished.”

[318] Firm, and Wadd. add: “poor and neglected churches.”

[319] See Bonav. Leg. Maj., 111, 2.

[320] Cod. As. omits “other things,” and O. omits “all other things.”

[321] See Documenta antiqua Franciscana, P. I, page 98, n. 15, where this passage is cited among the Verba quae scripsit Frater Leo.

[322] Cod. O. omits “by obedience.”

[323] Cod. An. omits this clause.

[324] Cod. O. omits “either for a church.”

[325] Cardinal Ugolino, afterward Gregory IX, was then Bishop of Ostia, and Protector of the Order.

[326] Cod. As. and Mon. for “purely” read “without gloss;” Firm. and Wadd. add “without gloss.”

[327] Cod. An. and O. read “this” for, “these things.”