the rule of life 78 the Procurator General, then of the Provincials shall be held — also by secret ballot. If anything will be decreed in this meeting, let it be inscribed in the General Acts. 2. The Diocesan Meetings will be held every three years, for establishing some good or abolishing evil; and for [the election of ] those to be sent to the General Chapter, according to what was noted above. To these meetings will go the local Vicars37 of each house, along with the delegates chosen by secret vote. 3. The Local Superior will call together the members twice each week. On Fridays, he will gather them to assign adequate penance in order to make up for their faults. Kneeling, each one will manifest his faults clearly, openly, with pious disposition, and without excusing himself. He will humbly accept the penance imposed there. If someone is falsely accused at that time [by another], he will not respond; afterwards, meeting with the Superior, he will testify to his innocence (unless he would prefer to innocently suffer with Christ). A liar will be punished, without being pardoned, with the penalty that would have been given to the one he accused.38 Absent from this distinguished Tribunal of Love should be hatred, envy and excessive zeal. In fact, in telling another’s faults — unless there is a risk in delay — it is praiseworthy to follow the Gospel’s rule: remind him privately; [then] with a companion, admonish him; [and then,] unless he has come back to his senses finally, bring him to the Church (cf. Mt 18:17). But concerning the faults of outsiders, consider that nothing about it pertains to you— somuch so that, unless you seem to be moved by good zeal, you should think that it is not your job to give an opinion about their faults. 4. The second time that the Local Superior will gather his members together is on Sundays, after evening meditation (or at another suitable time) for a spiritual conference in Latin (or in the vernacular) using simple, clear, passionate language in order to kindle their spirits to the practice of virtues, eliminating 37 The Local Superiors were considered the Vicars of the General (or later, the Provincial Superior). 38 Literally, “will be punished with the law of retaliation,” i.e., the Old Testament “eye for an eye.” Cf. Dt 19:21.
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