72. Our Seraphic Father, thoroughly Catholic, Apostolic and enlightened by the Holy Spirit, always held the Roman Church in special veneration, as the judge and Mother of all Churches. Hence, he laid down in the Rule that the Friars should say the Divine Office according to the Holy Roman Church (cf. R.B 4)., and in His Testament forbade them to alter it in any way (cf. Testament 7). We, therefore ordain, that the Friars, united in one spirit under the same standard and called to the same end, shall faithfully observe and adhere to all liturgical laws and rubrics in all that regards the Missal, Breviary and the Roman-Franciscan Calendar (Norms III:1).

 

73. All the Friars, not legitimately impeded, on hearing the first sound of the bell for the Divine Office shall promptly betake themselves to the choir to prepare their hearts for the Lord (Norms III:1a, b). There in devotion, composure, mortification, recollection and silence, they shall remember that they are in the presence of God, about to engage in the Angelic function of singing the Divine Praises.

 

74. The Divine Office should be said with all due devotion, attention, gravity, uniformity of voice and harmony of mind, neither protracted nor disjointed and the voice pitched neither too high or too low, but moderately. The Friars shall endeavor to sing the praises of God more with the heart than with the lips, lest our Most Sweet Savior say of us, “This people honors me with their lips but their hearts are far from me” (Is. 29:13).

 

75. Although the Holy Church permits the praying of only five Hours of the Office, we choose to celebrate, communally, all seven Hours as prescribed by the Rule and in accordance with the tradition of our Order. (Norms III:1;h) (G.I.L.H. 75-76)

 

76. With complete respect to liturgical time, we keep the Hours of the Divine Office at their traditional times. Matins is retained as a vigil so that rising in the middle of the night we may raise our voices in supplication and in anticipation of His return. (G.I.L.H. 57-58) Our daily horarium is located in the Norms III: 3. The Guardian, or the Vicar, in his absence, for a just and legitimate reason, may for a short time and rare occasion, alter the horarium when he deems it credibly necessary. He may also, under the same conditions, permit the Divine Office to be prayed privately. This should only be done in rare and extraordinary circumstances.

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77. When impeded by ministry, or other legitimate absences, from praying the Office communally, the Friars, outside of choir, shall be faithful in reciting the full Office in the manner prescribed by the Constitutions and Norms of this Fraternity.

 

78. Friars shall seek permission from the Guardian, or the next superior in his absence, to be excused from any of the Hours of the Office (Norms III:5.).

 

79. The Friars shall look over beforehand whatever they have to read publicly in the Mass and the Divine Office, lest their unworthy treatment of divine things should disturb the hearers and provoke against themselves the angels who are present at the divine praises; and in the Mass and the Divine Office they shall say only what is in the Missal and Breviary, observing the prescribed ceremonies.

 

80. We exhort the priest Friars when celebrating Mass, not to have the eye of their attention turned toward human favor or glory or anything temporal, but with a simple, pure and clean heart they shall attend solely to the divine honor, celebrating for mere charity with humble reverence, faith and devotion. They shall prepare themselves as well as their frailty will allow, for he is pronounced as accursed who does the work of the Lord with negligence. As this is of all actions the most sublime, its irreverent performance is exceedingly displeasing (Norms III: 2a).

 

81. Let the priests, after the example of Christ, the High Priest, who offered Himself for us on the Cross without recompense, not be anxious to receive any earthly reward for celebrating, but rather let them understand that thereby their own debt to God is increased. It is therefore ordained that the Friars renounce any stipends for celebrating the Holy Mass. We exhort the other Friars who are present at the Mass to assist at these divine mysteries with the greatest reverence, in the spirit of angels, keeping themselves in the presence of God, endeavoring spiritually to celebrate and communicate, and to offer to God this most acceptable sacrifice. Daily the Holy Sacrifice is celebrated in our Friaries, the priest Friars are encouraged to concelebrate but they retain the right to celebrate privately. All the Friars shall attend the communal Mass.

 

82. In receiving the sublime gift of God, the Holy Eucharist, given to us with such great charity, the Friars shall examine their conscience and prepare themselves to receive Holy Communion. So that they receive it to their increase in light, grace and virtue, let the Friars remain attentive during the Holy Mass and fully participate with the fullness of their heart, soul, mind, and strength. After the Holy Mass all the Friars shall take a good period of silence in order to render thanksgiving for the gift of this Most Holy Sacrament. Let them endeavor to enter into the mystery of His true, real and abiding presence (Norms III:2b).

 

83. Of all the devotions of our Seraphic Father Francis, his devotion to the Eucharist was surpassed by none other. He beheld in the Most Blessed Sacrament the true and real abiding presence of Our Lord and Savior. In all his Rules, Letters and Admonitions he continuously spoke about the love and reverence that we should have for this Most August Sacrament. Therefore, let the Friars, after the manner of Saint Francis, have the greatest devotion to Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist. They shall not only themselves be devoted, but they shall promote and defend the true teachings of Our Lord’s presence. Let them do all that they can to promote Eucharistic devotion to all with whom they come in contact. This Most August and Divine Sacrament, wherein our dearest Savior so lovingly condescends to abide with us always, shall be reserved in all our Chapels in a place of great honor and shall be regarded by all with the greatest reverence. Let the Friars remain before Him and pray as if they were already in their heavenly country with the holy angels. Each morning, where and when possible, in our Friaries is a morning of prayer, during which the Most Blessed Sacrament shall be exposed until Midday meal. (Norms III: 4)

 

84. When a Friar, an immediate relative of a Friar or one of our benefactors dies, the Friars shall be careful with loving charity, to commend their soul to God. Each priest shall say a Novena of Masses for the deceased and the Friars shall pray the Office for the Dead.

 

85. Since holy prayer is the spiritual mistress of the Friars, in order that the spirit of devotion may not decrease in the Friars, but, continually burning on the sacred altar of our hearts, may be enkindled more and more, as our Seraphic Father wished, we ordain that, although the true spiritual Friar Minor should always pray, two special communal hours shall be appointed for the tepid Friars. Both of these communal hours shall be before the exposed Blessed Sacrament; the first after Lauds and the second prior to Vespers, which shall conclude with Benediction (Norms III:4). Even when outside the Friary the Friars are to do their utmost to keep these hours of prayer.

 

86. Let the Friars remember that prayer is nothing else than speaking to God with the heart. Consequently, he does not pray who speaks to God only with the lips.

Each one, therefore, should endeavor to pray mentally, and according to the teaching of Christ, take diligent care to enlighten the mind and enkindle affections far more than frame words (cf. Mt.6:7) . The Friars shall devote themselves to private and mental prayer, which is far more fruitful than vocal prayer.

 

87. After None, on the anniversary of All Franciscan Saints whose veneration is approved by the Church, all Sundays, Solemnities and Capuchin feasts, the Friars shall pray the litany of the Capuchins, imploring their assistance and good favor.

 

88. Since the Marian Vow is a total consecration of the whole person, it necessarily requires the daily offering of one’s body, soul, heart and mind. Daily we must offer our work, sacrifices, inconveniences and all of our efforts. To accomplish and continue a living consecration, the Friars shall renew twice daily, in community, the act of simple consecration. On Feasts and Solemnities of Our Lady, after Holy Communion, we recite together the solemn act of consecration. The Friars are encouraged to renew their consecration before starting any task.

 

89. Prayer, our first priority, is sanctified when placed in the hands of Our Lady. From her place in Heaven she continually makes intercession for us (cf. L.G. 8) and so we always bring her our needs trusting in her motherly affection. Particularly, we pray the following devotions: Daily communal Rosary is prayed after Compline. Friars are to complete the rest of the 20 mysteries in private. (Norm III:5a) Twice daily we renew our Marian Consecration. The Litany of Loreto is said after the evening Rosary. An “Ave Maria” is prayed after the intercessions at Holy Mass, The Angelus/Regina Coeli are prayed at the three traditional hours. First Saturday devotions are done when possible.

 

90. To foster devotion and to make reparation to the Immaculate Heart, the Friars shall be devoted to the Seven Sorrows of Mary. In place of the regular communal Rosary: every Tuesday, they shall recite the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows, every Saturday they shall recite the Franciscan Crown (the Seven Joys of Mary) and every Sunday they shall recite the Seven Glories of Mary.

 

91. Our Seraphic Father, as appears in the beginning and end of the Rule, wished that special reverence should be paid to the Supreme Pontiff as the vicar of Jesus Christ, to all Bishops and Priests. We ordain, therefore, that, over and above the prayers said in common, every Friar shall, in his private prayers, beseech the Divine Goodness that through the intercession of the Mediatrix of All Graces, Mother of the Church, the fullness of Grace may be given for the welfare of the Church militant and for His Holiness the Pope, that Grace may be given him clearly to see, efficaciously to will and successfully to carry out all that may redound to the honor and glory of the Divine Majesty, the salvation of all and the conversion of sinners. They shall also pray for all Bishops and Priests, particularly for our Ordinary, auxiliaries and the pastors who provide for us and for whom we serve. (Norms III:6). Prayers for the Pope and Church are to be prayed communally after Lauds.

 

92. Silence is the guardian of the acquired spirit. According to Saint James, the religion of one who does not check his tongue is futile (cf. Jm. 1:26). Therefore we order that evangelical silence is observed, in as much as our human frailty may bear it, aware that Jesus Christ the infallible truth said that we will have to account for every idle word (Mt 12:36). Such is the outpouring of divine things that it is no small error for a friar dedicated to divine worship to speak about the things of the world with his consecrated mouth.

 

93. As regards the regular silence, it shall be perpetual in the Chapel, Cloister and Dormitory; but in the Refectory following the readings at dinner and supper they may speak freely. After dinner the Friars shall pray a Rosary as they clean the dishes. After Supper they are free to speak until dishes are complete. The Friars may always speak in the Guest Parlors. The Friars are exhorted to accustom themselves to speak in every place, always in a subdued and humble tone, with modesty and charity. (Norms III:7)

 

94. Outside the Friary, the Friars, whenever possible, should go with a companion, after the example of Our Most Holy Savior (cf. Mk. 6:7). They shall encourage, correct and support each other fraternally. As brothers in Christ, they shall endeavor with all humility and charity to obey and serve each other spiritually. The Friars shall always receive of the Guardians, or Vicars in his absence, blessing before departing and upon returning.

 

95. Since Saint Francis says in his Testament that it was revealed to him by the Lord that in saluting anyone we should say, after the example of Christ. “The Lord give you His peace”, (Mt. 10:12). We ordain that the Friars always use this evangelical greeting (cf. Testament 4).

 

96. As true Friars Minor they should depend with a lively faith on their kind and bountiful Heavenly Father. We ordain that on their journeys they take neither food nor drink except for the sick who may have great needs. Leaving all care of themselves to God, Who feeds not only the irrational animals, but even those who are constantly offending Him (cf. Mt. 6:25-7:11). The Friars shall endeavor to stay in rectories or religious houses rather than homes of the laity. In so doing they can better avail themselves to their life of prayer. (New Norm III: 8)

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97. Since delight in worldly feasts brings spiritual defilement to the Friar Minor, we ordain that the Friars shall not go to festivals (wedding receptions and the like), unless it is to preach the Word of God, after the example of Christ, Who, being invited to a feast, desired rather to preach (cf. Jn. 7:16-31). Let them remember that according to the Apostle Paul, they are made a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men (cf. 1Cor. 1:18-24); and they should strive to live such exemplary lives that through men, God may be glorified and not blasphemed.