not think that they have the right to interpret them.26 Rather, they should try to keep them with the utmost effort and let the penalties contained in them be applied to transgressors. 7. When the Canonical Hours are said in common, any of the Superiors has the power to change this schedule for the convenience of their house and better order, provided nothing which is prescribed here has been left out. Chapter VII Superiors 1. One Superior will govern your whole Congregation for a six-year term. At the end of this term — as indicated below27 — you will either choose another or confirm the same one. It is his office to admit or dismiss members, to approve confessors, preachers and Novice Masters, moderators of your Confraternity, to approve books to be published, to create or depose Local Superiors, to accept endowments, to make visitation of the houses, correct those erring and, if it be necessary, also to punish them. It is also up to him to establish, impose and carry out other responsibilities which are proper to the office of General Superiors. 2. Let all of the Superiors remember this warning of the Divine Spirit: “If they make you ruler, do not be puffed up, [but] be among them as one of them” (cf. Sir 32:1) [LV].28 Therefore, be not a dictator, but be an example that the flock can follow” (cf. 1 Pet 5:3). Let him then first do by example what he is about to order others by word. He is equally an observer of the law with others, not only its custodian. Let him be endowed with piety, discretion and prudence, moderating zeal with mildness and moderating mildness with zeal, lest through too much strictness or indulgence he hurts the 26 Evidently, interpret in the sense of relax or ease. 27 Ch. 9, n. l. 28 This Scripture quotation was directly translated from the Latin Vulgate to better convey the meaning intended by Stanislaus. The Rule of Life 295
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