227. The Minister General shall endeavor during his term of office, to visit personally all the Friaries and Friars of our Congregation. They, as well as the Guardians, shall continually urge their subjects with all charity to the perfect observance of the divine and evangelical precepts and counsels of the Rule they have vowed, of the Constitutions, but especially of most high poverty, the solid foundation of all regular observance. With all humility and charity let them correct transgressors always mingling the wine of rigorous justice with the oil of soothing mercy.

 

228. The Friars who are subject shall obey their rightful Guardians and Ministers with all humility in all things that they know are not sinful. They shall duly reverence their Ministers as Vicars of Saint Francis and even of Christ our God. (Norm X: 5) When they are reprehended or corrected by them, let the Friars accept every admonition and correction with humility. All the Friars shall diligently correct their faults, and by virtuous acts to acquire heavenly virtues, and by good habits to overcome evil inclinations.

 

229. The Friars shall always seek permission of their Guardians before making any type of journey and they should seek his blessing before leaving the Friary and upon returning. (Norm X :3, 4)

 

230. When visiting another Friary, the visiting Friar shall be received with all fraternal charity. As true sons of the Eternal Father they shall first visit the Chapel, having made a short adoration, they shall present themselves to the Guardian for his blessing. Before leaving, the visiting Friar is also to receive the Guardians blessing and Vicar or senior professed friar in his absence.

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231. In order that all things may be done with the merit of holy obedience and with due devotion, the Friars shall get permission from the Guardian, or the senior Friar in his absence, to take a repast.

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232. “Our Lord tells us in the Gospel, “Every one of you who does not renounce all that he possesses cannot be my disciple” (Lk. 14:33), and, “He who saves his life will lose it” (Mt. 16:25). A man takes leave of all that he possesses and loses his body and his life when he gives himself up completely to obedience in the hands of his superior. Any good that he says or does which he knows is not against the will of his Minister is true obedience. A subject may realize that there are many courses of action that would be better and more profitable to his soul than what his Minister commands. In that case he should make an offering of his own will to God, and do his best to carry out what his Minister has enjoined. This is true and loving obedience that is pleasing to God and one’s neighbor.” (Admonitions 3,p.1) 

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233. If a Minister commands his subject anything that is against his conscience, the subject should not spurn his authority, even though he cannot obey him. If anyone persecutes him because of this, he should love him all the more, for God’s sake. A religious who prefers to suffer persecution rather than be separated from his confreres certainly perseveres in true obedience, because he lays down his life for his brethren.” (cf. Jn. 15:13. Admonition 3, p2)

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234. “There are many religious who under pretext of doing something more perfect than what their Minister commands, look behind an go back to their own will that they have given up (cf. Prov. 26:11). People like that are murderers, and by their bad example they cause the loss of many souls”. (Admonitions 3, p3)

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235. The Marian Vow, which compels us to grow in sanctity and seek the salvation of all, also requires the Friars to give the fullness of themselves. They cannot place a limit or reservation on their self-gift to the Immaculate. The Mother of God spoke her “Fiat Mihi” (cf. Lk. 1:38) and it echoed throughout the rest of eternity. Her complete and perfect love of God and humanity gave her the strength to speak her “Fiat” at the Annunciation and at the Cross. Her “Fiat” was unconditional and without the slightest limitation or reservation. So too, every Friar who professes the Marian Vow pronounces with the Immaculate: “Fiat Mihi”. Transformed in Her and united to Her, every consecrated soul receives the mediation of the grace to give oneself unconditionally and without reservation or the slightest limitation.

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236. Let the Ministers and Guardians beware of binding the souls of their subjects by precepts of obedience, unless they are forced to do so by religious piety or loving necessity. (Norm X:5)

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237. All the Friars after the example of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and our Seraphic Father, should prefer to be subjects and obey, rather than to be superiors and to command others. Nevertheless, those upon whom responsibilities are imposed, by obedience must not be obstinate in refusing them; but with all humility and solicitude shall fulfill the ministry entrusted to them.

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238. Once again, we exhort all the Friars, in accordance with the admonitions of our Father in the tenth chapter of the Rule (cf. R.B. 14), to beware of all pride and vain glory, envy and avarice, of all care and solicitude about this world, of all detraction and murmuring against any person, especially Prelates, the Clergy, and Religious, particularly of our own Congregation. Let them show respect to everyone according to his state, looking upon all as our fathers and superiors in Christ Jesus, our Savior.