Institute, rather than contributing to its good. He should not aggravate his own men with rigid penances or commands. Rather, he should burden each with what conforms to his strength, talents and abilities. Since his subjects are bound to obey without any excuses, the one in command must foresee that he imposes on each such things as they will be able to fulfill for God’s glory and their own merit. 3. For their part, the members should not trouble the Superiors either by their impudence or stubbornness, but they should agreeably acquiesce, in the Lord, to the Superior’s wishes, respecting them out of love rather than being afraid of them out of empty fear. If any one of the Superiors should seem to someone somewhat negligent or less than exemplary, he should not — because of the Lord — on that account cease to honor and obey him. The Lord himself warns, “practice and observe what they tell you, but not what they do” (Mt 23:3). Indeed, the Superiors are worthy of much compassion, since while they serve all, they are at times forced to neglect themselves. Therefore, the members will always pray for the Superiors, so that God may enlighten, direct, help and keep them in His grace. 4. The Superior of the entire Congregation will visit the whole Congregation every three years; the Provincial,29 his houses every year; but the Local Superior will visit the rooms of all the members almost every single month, lest anything be found in them not according to your vocation and poverty, or neatness. All Superiors will unanimously apply themselves to this, that there may flourish: an ever greater worship of God, in their churches; peace, recollection, love, uniformity, in their houses; holiness, in their members; and conservation of temporal goods. They may not give away these goods of the Congregation to outsiders, under ecclesiastical penalties. 5. If it will be necessary in any of your churches to preach the Word of God, this task is to be given by the Superior to 29 The Latin term “Diocesanus” probably supposes a division of the Congregation into Provinces according to the lines of dioceses, i.e., houses in a diocese form a separate Province. Appendix 296
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