256. As our Seraphic Father had the conversion of the unbelievers very much at heart, in accordance with the Rule, it is ordained that Friars, inflamed with love for Christ and zeal for the Catholic faith, should through divine inspiration, seek the conversion of Muslims and other non-Christians. For this reason, all the Friars, both Priest and Religious Brothers, should make a careful study of apologetics. Each Friar should always be prepared to give witness to the truths of our holy Faith. Let the Friars keep in mind that the best sermon is a holy life. As it is often told, our Seraphic Father was reported to say: “Preach! And if you must, use words”.

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257. At the appropriate time, with the approval of our benevolent Ordinary, the Definitory shall establish missions in Christian and non-Christian lands alike. (Norm XII:1) As our Father Saint Francis ordered, no Friary shall be established in a Diocese where the Bishop is opposed.

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258. As prescribed by the Rule (cf. R.B. 16), a Friar may not be sent to the missions unless he feels moved by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The Minister General may request Friars and ask Friars to discern their call to the missions, but no Friar may be ordered under obedience.

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259. Every Friar consecrated and conformed to the Immaculate understands and desires the full and complete participation in the work of the Immaculate Mother of God. The desire and longing to bring every soul to salvation is a direct effect of the Marian Vow. It is the Blessed Virgin Mary, first disciple of Christ and the spouse of the Holy Spirit, Mother to every soul, who seeks out and desires that every one come to know, love, and live in her Son. Being assimilated and transformed in her, we Friars generously give ourselves to the same mission. All our apostolic efforts must be rooted in the desire to bring all souls to salvation and the freedom to live as true sons and daughters of God and Mary. As with our own personal sanctification, we must bring these souls to Jesus through Mary.

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260. The consecrated heart without reservation is the height of the vow of chastity.

The soul totally consecrated without any limitation is the perfect obedience. And the vowed Friar who gives the fullness of himself into the hands of the Immaculate and spends himself in her work of salvation reaches holy poverty. Our four vows are, essentially, the total gift of oneself. For this reason, every consecrated Friar must always be willing to obey, with great charity, whatever is the will of the Immaculate. Whatever he is asked to do, wherever he is asked to go and to whatever extent he is asked to give himself, the Friar who takes this Marian Vow responds with joy and total trust that every grace necessary will be granted. Even if it calls for the entire gift of self in holy Martyrdom as it has for

so many of our brothers.

 

Conclusion

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261. Since it is impossible to lay down laws and statutes for every individual case that may arise, the number thereof being indefinite, we exhort all our Friars, in the charity of Christ, to keep before their minds in all their actions the Holy Gospel, the Rule they have promised, the holy and praiseworthy customs and examples of the Saints, by directing their thoughts, words and actions to the honor and glory of God, and the salvation of their neighbor. Thus will the Holy Spirit enlighten them in all things.

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262. As our Savior first began to do and then to teach others, in like manner the Ministers and Guardians shall be first to comply with these Constitutions, and then with all holy and efficacious zeal, induce their subjects to observe them inviolably. Should things appear somewhat difficult in the beginning, habit will make them easy and pleasant. To impress them more deeply on the minds of the Friars, and that they observe them, all the Guardians shall have them read at table once every month (Norms I:2). Although we have no intention by these Constitutions to bind the Friars under pain of any sin, transgressions are to be corrected immediately.

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263. The General Chapter shall be diligent in the evaluation of the need to change these Constitutions. Experience has proven that great injury has been done to Religious Orders by the frequent alterations of their Constitutions.

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264. As our Seraphic Father, when on the point of death, bequeathed the fruitful blessing of the Most Holy Trinity, together with his own, to the zealous and true observance of the Rule; let us all, therefore, shaking off all negligence, assiduously apply ourselves with sincerity and devotedness to the observance of the perfection which the Rule and our Order propose and inculcate.

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265. Let the Friars remember that to obey with no other intention than to escape punishment belongs solely to slaves and hirelings, but to obey for the love of God and for the glory and the pleasure of the Divine Majesty, and to give a good example to our neighbor and for other similar motives, pertains to the true children of God. Let the Friars beware of transgressing these Constitutions on the plea that they do not oblige under pain of sin; but, recognizing their spirit, let them observe inviolably the laws, ordinances, norms, and statutes of our Fraternity, that grace may be added to their head. They shall, by this holy service merit the Divine Mercy, and become conformable to the Son of God, who though not bound by the laws that He Himself made, nevertheless, observed them for the salvation of others. Let them, therefore, uphold the sublimity of the Religious State and become the source of much benefit to their neighbors.

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266. Wherefore, in fulfilling these duties, let us keep our eyes upon our Redeemer, so that knowing His good pleasure we may strive to please Him, not only by not despising the present Constitutions, but through love of Him avoiding all negligence in their observance. The observance will help us to be faithful not only to the Rule, but to the Divine Law and Gospel Counsels. The Grace of God, through Jesus Christ, will deliver us from all dangers. As our labors abound so also will our consolations in Christ Jesus. We can do all things in Him who strengthens us, namely in Christ Who is omnipotent, and in everything shall we be given understanding by Him Who is the Power, Wisdom and Servant of God, Who gives abundantly and does not upbraid. He who upholds all things by the word of His power will supply the strength.

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267. Let us, dear brothers, frequently call to mind that sacred and memorable text, on which our Seraphic Father preached a most impressive sermon to more than five thousand Friars: “Great are the things we have promised to God, but greater things He has promised to us”. Let us observe the things we have promised, and with ardent longing yearn after the things that have been promised to us. The pleasures of this life are short, but the pains of Hell incurred by pursuing them are never ending. The sufferings that we bear for the love of Christ, and the penance that we do for His sake will last but a short time; but the glory with which God will reward us, will never end. Many have been called to the Kingdom of life Eternal, but few have chosen it (cf. Mt. 20:16), because very few follow Christ in  

sincerity of heart. On the last day God will give to each the reward of his deeds, to the good, the glory of Heaven; to the wicked, the confusion of everlasting fire (cf. Mt. 25:46).

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268. Great, indeed, are the things we have promised, yet they are nothing in comparison with the eternal reward God will bestow upon us if we remain faithful. Let us therefore act manfully, and not distrust our strength, because the best of Fathers, Who has created us and has called us to a life of evangelical perfection, knowing our condition, will give us not only strength by His aid, but also heavenly gifts in such abundance, that, surmounting all obstacles, we shall be able to not merely obey His Most Beloved Son, but even to follow and imitate Him with the greatest cheerfulness and simplicity of heart; utterly despising those visible and temporal things, and ever yearning after those that are heavenly and eternal.

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269. In Christ then, Who is God and Man, the True Light, the Brightness of Glory and of Eternal Light, the Spotless Mirror and Image of God; in Christ, appointed by the Eternal Father to be the Judge, Lawgiver and Savior of men; in Christ, to Whom the Holy Spirit has given testimony; and from Whom are all our merit, example, help, grace, and reward; in Whom be all our meditation and imitation; in Whom all things are sweet, learned, holy and perfect; in Christ, Who is the Light and expectation of the Gentiles, the end of the law, the salvation of God, the Father of the world to come, our final hope, Who of God is fashioned the Wisdom and Justice, Sanctification and unto us Redemption, Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit, co-eternal, consubstantial, and co-equal lives and reigns one God, be everlasting praise, honor, majesty, and glory, world without end. Amen.