the rule of life 62 right or privilege to take the Superior to an outside court. This is stated to avoid many quarrels, scandals and rebellions. If ever any [of these] controversies should happen, or any less notable deficiency, then it should be settled and corrected within the Congregation itself, in an ordinary way, peacefully and justly. Through this Rule, we nonetheless do not intend to contradict anything of in Canon Law, or anything regarding the decrees and views of the Roman Church. If anyone among you has been found stubbornly disobedient, or a firebrand, or a wicked agitator of others, let him be restrained by the common action of all those who favor interior peace and good government (first, however, having given the possibility for a just defense and apology, with the due process of law having been kept). If necessary, even the force of civil authorities may be employed.9 Truly it is right that a servant of God be a peaceful man. Should he consider the person he should obey? Or shouldn’t he consider the love on account of which he obeys? You should fulfill, with divine assistance, humbly and joyfully, all the penances and mortifications assigned by a Superior, although they may seem burdensome. You should not murmur against the Superiors or complain, but you should love and honor them. But if anyone should have been truly burdened by some Superior, let him either endure patiently what he finds oppressive for the merit of eternal life, or by himself or through another, present, with the greatest meekness and humility, a petition to the Superior, by whom he is pressed, so that he might use due moderation in the situation. 2. The essence of your poverty is found in this: that no one keeps anything privately without the consent of the Superiors, nor would he dare to call anything his own. However, those things given for his use let him preserve them neatly, carefully and for as long as possible. Let all income be turned over for common use whether it comes from alms or other sources. Let them observe, absolutely and strictly, the manner of collecting, saving and dis9 It was common practice for civil authorities to aid in ending rebellions in monasteries.
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