Papal Bulls: Solet Annuere

Solet annuere Sedes Apostolica piis votis et honestis petentium desideriis favorem benivolum impertiri. Eapropter, dilecti in Domino filii, vestris piis precibus inclinati, ordinis vestri regulam, a bonae memoriae Innocentio papa, praedecessore nostro, approbatam, annotatam praesentibus, auctoritate vobis apostolica confirmamus et praesentis scripti patrocinio communimus: Quae talis est,

The Apostolic See is accustomed to assent to pious vows and to impart benevolent favor to the honest desires of petitioners. For this reason, beloved sons in the Lord, inclined by your pious prayers, the rule of your order, approved by Innocent of blessed memory, the pope, our predecessor, noted in these presents, we confirm to you by apostolic authority and fortify by the patronage of the present writing: which is as follows,

Caput I: In nomine Domini! incipit vita minorum fratrum:

Chapter 1: In the name of the Lord! here begins the life of the Minor Brothers:

Regula et vita Minorum Fratrum haec est, scilicet Domini Nostri Jesu Christi sanctum Evangelium observare vivendo in obedientia, sine proprio et in castitate.

The Rule and life of the Minor Brothers is this, namely, to observe the holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ by living in obedience, without property, and in chastity.

Frater Franciscus promittit obedientiam et reverentiam domino papae Honorio ac successoribus eius canonice intrantibus et Ecclesiae Romanae. Et alii fratres teneantur fratri Francisco et eius sucessoribus obedire.

Brother Francis promises obedience and reverence to the lord Pope Honorius and to his canonically entering successors and to the Roman Church. And the other brothers are bound to obey Brother Francis and his successors.

Caput II: De his qui volunt vitam istam accipere, et qualiter recipi debeant.

CHAPTER 2: On those who wish to accept this life, and how they ought to be received.

Si qui voluerint hanc vitam accipere et venerint ad fratres nostros, mittant eos ad suos ministros provinciales, quibus solummodo et non aliis recipiendi fratres licentia concedatur. Ministri vero diligenter examinent eos de fide catholica et ecclesiaticis sacramentis.

If any should wish to accept this life and should come to our brothers,
let them send them to their provincial ministers, to whom alone and to no
others let license for receiving brothers be granted. But let the ministers
diligently examine them concerning the Catholic faith and the ecclesiastical sacraments.

Et si haec omnia credant et velint ea fideliter et usque in finem firmiter obervare, et uxores non habent vel, si habent, et iam monasterium intraverint uxores vel, licentiam eis dederint auctoritate dioecesani episcopi, voto continentiae iam emisso, et illius sint aetatis exores, quod non possit de eis oriri suspicio, dicant illis verbum sancti Evangelii (cf. Mt 19,21), quod vadant et vendant omnia sua et ea studeant pauperibus erogare. Quod si facere non potuerint, sufficit eis bona voluntas.

And if they believe all these things and are willing to keep them faithfully and unto the end
firmly to observe them, and they do not have wives, or, if they have them, and already
their wives have entered a monastery, or have given them permission by the authority
of the diocesan bishop, a vow of continence already having been made, and their wives are of such
an age that no suspicion can arise about them, let them say to them
the word of the holy Gospel (cf. Mt 19,21), that they go and sell all their
goods and strive to disburse them to the poor. But if they cannot do this,
good will suffices for them.

Et caveant fratres et eorum ministri, ne solliciti sint de rebus suis temporalibus, ut libere faciant de rebus suis, quidquid Dominus inspiraverit eis. Si tamen consilium requiratur, licentiam habeant ministri mittendi eos ad aliquos Deum timentes, quorum consilio bona sua pauperibus erogentur. Postea concedant eis pannos probationis, videlicet duas tunicas sine caputio et cingulum et braccas et caparonem usque ad cingulum, nisi eisdem ministris aliud secundum Deum aliquando videatur.

And let the brothers and their ministers beware, lest they be solicitous about their own temporal goods, that they may freely do with their goods whatever the Lord shall have inspired them. If, however, counsel be required, let the ministers have license to send them to some God-fearing men, by whose counsel their goods may be disbursed to the poor. Afterwards let them grant to them the garments of probation, namely two tunics without a hood and a cincture and breeches and a caparone up to the cincture, unless to those same ministers at some time it seem otherwise according to God.

Finito vero anno probationis, recipiantur ad oboedientiam promittentes vitam istam semper et regulam observare.

With the year of probation finished, let them be received to obedience promising to observe this life always and the Rule.

Et nullo modo licebit eis de ista religione exire iuxta mandatum domini papae, quia secudum sanctum Evangelium nemo mittens manum ad aratrum et aspiciens retro aptus est regno Dei. (Lc 9,62)

And in no way will it be permitted to them to depart from this religion according to the mandate of the lord pope, because according to the holy Gospel no one putting his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God. (Lk 9:62)

Et illi qui iam promiserunt oboedientiam habeant tunicam cum caputio et aliam sine caputione qui voluerint habere. Et qui necessitate coguntur possint portare calceamenta. Et fratres omnes vestimentis vilibus induantur et possint ea repetiare de saccis et aliis petiis cum benedictione Dei.

And those who have already promised obedience shall have a tunic with a hood, and another without a hood, if they wish to have it. And those who are compelled by necessity may wear footwear. And let all the brothers be clothed in cheap garments, and they may patch them from sacks and other pieces, with the blessing of God.

Quos moneo et exhortor, ne despiciant neque iudicent homines, quos vident mollibus vestimentis et coloratis indutus, uti cibis et potibus delicatis, sed magis unusquisque iudicet et despiciat semetipsum.

I admonish and exhort them not to despise nor judge
men whom they see clothed in soft and colored garments, using
delicate foods and drinks, but rather let each one judge and despise
himself.

Caput III: De divino officio et iuiunio et quomodo fratres debeant ire per mundum.

Chapter 3: On the divine office and fasting and how the brothers ought to go through the world.

Clerici faciant divinum officium secundum ordinem sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae excepto psalterio, ex quo habere poterunt breviaria.

Let clerics perform the divine office according to the order of the holy Roman Church, except for the psalter, from which they will be able to have breviaries.

Laici vero dicant viginti quator Pater Noster pro matutino, pro laude quinque, pro prima, tertia, secta, nona, pro qualibet istarum septem, pro vesperis autem duodecim, pro completorio septem et orent pro defunctis.

Laymen, however, should say twenty-four Pater Noster for Matins, for Lauds five, for Prime, Terce, Sext, and None, seven for each of these; for Vespers, moreover, twelve; for Compline seven, and let them pray for the dead.

Et ieiunent a festo Omnium Sanctorum usque ad Nativitatem Domini. Sanctam vero quadragesimam, quae incipit ab Epiphania usque ad continuo quadraginta dies, quam Dominus suo sancto ieiunio consecravit (cf Mt 4,2), qui voluntarie eam ieiunant benedicti sint a Domino, et qui nolunt non sint astricit. Sed aliam usque ad Resurrectionem Domini ieiunent..

And let them fast from the feast of All Saints up to the Nativity of the Lord. But the holy Forty-Day, which begins from Epiphany and continues for forty days, which the Lord consecrated by his holy fast (cf. Mt 4:2), let those who voluntarily fast it be blessed by the Lord, and those who are unwilling let them not be constrained. But let them fast another up to the Resurrection of the Lord..

Aliis autem temporibus non teneantur nisi sexta feria ieiunare. Tempore vero manifestae necessitatis non teneantur fratres ieiunio corporali.

But at other times they are not bound to fast except on Friday. In a time of manifest necessity the brothers are not bound to corporeal fasting.

Consulo vero, moneo et exhortor fratres meos in Domino Jesu Christo, ut quando vadunt per mundum, non litigent neque contendant verbis (cf 2 Tim 2,14), nec alio iudicent; sed sint mites, pacifici et modesti, mansueti et humiles, honeste loquentes omnibus, sicut decet. Et non debeant equitare, nisi manifesta necessitate vel infirmitate cogantur.

I counsel indeed, I warn and I exhort my brothers in the Lord Jesus Christ, that when they go through the world, they should not litigate nor contend in words (cf 2 Tim 2,14), nor judge another; but let them be mild, pacific and modest, meek and humble, speaking honorably to all, as is fitting. And they ought not to ride on horseback, unless they are compelled by manifest necessity or infirmity.

In quamcumque domum intraverint, primum dicant: Pax huic domui (cf Lc 10,5). Et secundum sanctum Evangelium de omnibus cibis, qui apponuntur eis, liceat manducare (cf Lc 10,8).

Into whatever house they enter, let them first say: Peace to this house (cf Lk 10:5). And according to the holy Gospel, of all foods that are set before them, let it be permitted to eat (cf Lk 10:8).

Caput IV: Quod fratres non recipiant pecuniam.

CHAPTER 4: That the brothers are not to receive money.

Praecipio firmiter fratribus universis, ut nullo modo denarios vel pecuniam recipiant per se vel per interpositam personam. Tamen pro necessitatibus infirmorum et aliis fratribus induendis, per amicos spirituales, ministri tantum et custodes sollicitam curam gerant secundum loca et tempora et frigidas regiones, sicut necessitati viderint expedire; eo semper salvo, ut, sicut dictum est, denarios vel pecuniam non recipiant.

I firmly command all the brothers, that in no way they receive denarii or money either by themselves or through an interposed person. Yet for the necessities of the sick and for clothing the other brothers, through spiritual friends, let the ministers only and the custodians take solicitous care according to the places and times and cold regions, as they shall have seen to be expedient for necessity; with this always safeguarded, that, as has been said, they do not receive denarii or money.

Caput V: De modo laborani.

Chapter 5: On the mode of laboring.

Fratres illi, quibus gratiam dedit Dominus laborandi, laborent fideliter et devote, ita quod, excluso otio animae inimic, sanctae orationis et devotionis spiritum non extinguant, cui debent cetera temporalia deservire. De mercede vero laboris pro se et suis fratribus corporis necessario recipiant praeter denarios vel pecuniam et hoc humiliter, sicut decet servos Dei et paupertatis sanctissimae sectatores.

Those brothers, to whom the Lord has given the grace of laboring, let them labor faithfully and devoutly, such that, idleness—the enemy of the soul—being excluded, they do not extinguish the spirit of holy prayer and devotion, to which the other temporal things ought to be subservient. As for the wage of labor, let them receive for themselves and their brothers what is necessary for the body, apart from coins or money, and this humbly, as befits the servants of God and the followers of most holy poverty.

Caput VI: Quod nihil approprient sibi fratres, et de eleemosyna petenda et de fratribus infirmis.

Chapter 6: That the brothers appropriate nothing to themselves, and on alms to be sought and on infirm brothers.

Fratres nihil sibi approprient nec domum nec locum nec aliquam rem. Et tanquam peregrini et advenae (cf 1 Ptr 2,11) in hoc saeculo in paupertate et humilitate Domino famulantes vadant pro eleemosyna confidenter, nec oportet eos verecundari, quia Dominus pro nobis se fecit pauperem in hoc mundo (cf 2 Cor 8,9). Haec est illa celsitudo altissimae paupertatis, quae vos, carissimos fratres meos, heredes et reges regni caelorum instituit, pauperes rebus fecit, virtutibus sublimavit (cf Jac 2,5). Haec sit portio vestra, quae perducit in terram viventium (cf Ps 141,6). Cui, dilectissimi fratres, totaliter inhaerentes nihil aliud pro nomine Domini nostri Jesus Christi in perpetuum sub caelo habere velitis.

Let the brothers appropriate nothing to themselves, neither house nor place nor any thing. And as pilgrims and sojourners (cf 1 Ptr 2,11) in this age, serving the Lord in poverty and humility, let them go for alms confidently, nor ought they be ashamed, because the Lord for us made himself poor in this world (cf 2 Cor 8,9). This is that loftiness of most-high poverty, which has instituted you, my dearest brothers, as heirs and kings of the kingdom of the heavens, has made you poor in things, has exalted you by virtues (cf Jac 2,5). Let this be your portion, which leads into the land of the living (cf Ps 141,6). To which, most beloved brothers, cleaving totally, be willing to have nothing else under heaven forever for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Et, ubicumque sunt et se invenerint fratres, ostendant se domesticos invicem interse. Et secure manifestet unus alteri necessitatem suam, quia, si mater nutrit et diligit filium suum (cf 1 Thess 2,7) carnalem, quanto diligentius debet quis diligere et nutrire fratrem suum spiritualem?

And, wherever the brothers are and find themselves, let them show themselves as domestics—household-members—mutually among themselves. And let each securely make manifest to the other his need, because, if a mother nourishes and loves her carnal son (cf 1 Thess 2:7), how much more diligently ought one to love and nourish his spiritual brother?

Et, si quis eorum in infirmitate ceciderit, alii fratres debent ei servire, sicut vellent sibi serviri (cf Mt 7,12).

And, if any of them should fall into infirmity, the other brothers ought to serve him, as they would wish to be served themselves (cf Mt 7,12).

Caput VII: De poenitentia fratribus peccantibus imponenda.

Chapter 7: On the penance to be imposed upon brothers sinning.

Si qui fratrum, instigante inimico, mortaliter peccaverint, pro illis peccatis, de quibus ordinatum fuerit inter fratres, ut recurratur ad solos ministros provinciales, teneantur praedicit fratres ad eos recurrere quam citius poterint, sine more. Ipsi vero ministri, si presbyteri sunt, cum misericordia iniungant illis poenitentiam; si vero presbyteri non sunt, iniungi faciant per alios sacerdotes ordinis, sicut eis secudum Deum melius videbitur expedire. Et cavere debent, ne irascantur et conturbentur propter peccatum alicuius, quia ira et conturbatio in se et in aliis impediunt caritatem.

If any of the brothers, the enemy instigating, shall have sinned mortally, for those sins about which it shall have been ordained among the brothers that recourse is to be had to the sole provincial ministers, the aforesaid brothers are held to have recourse to them as soon as they can, without delay. The ministers themselves, if they are presbyters, should with mercy enjoin penance upon them; but if they are not presbyters, let them have it enjoined through other priests of the order, as it will seem better to them to be expedient according to God. And they ought to beware, lest they grow angry and be disturbed on account of someone’s sin, because anger and disturbance impede charity in themselves and in others.

Caput VII: De electione generalis ministri huius fraternitatis et de capitulo Pentecostes.

Chapter 7: On the election of the general minister of this fraternity and on the chapter of Pentecost.

Universi fratres unum de fratribus istius religionis teneantur semper habere generalem ministrum et servum totius fraternitatis et ei teneantur firmiter obedire. Quo decedente, electio successoris fiat a ministris provincialbius et custodibus in capitulo Pentecostes, in quo provinciales ministri teneantur semper insimul convenire, ubicumque a generali ministro fuerit constitutum; et hoc semel in tribus annis vel ad alium terminum maiorem vel minorem, sicut a praedicto ministro fuerit ordinatum.

All the brothers are bound always to have one from the brothers of this religion as the general minister and servant of the whole fraternity, and they are bound firmly to obey him. Upon his decease, the election of a successor shall be made by the provincial ministers and the custodians in the Chapter of Pentecost, in which the provincial ministers are bound always to come together, wherever it shall have been constituted by the general minister; and this once in three years, or at another term greater or lesser, as shall have been ordained by the aforesaid minister.

Caput IX: De praedicatoribus.

CHAPTER 9: On preachers.

Fratres non praedicent in episcopatu alicuius episcopi, cum ab eo illis fuerit contradictum. Et nullus fratrum populo penitus audeat praedicare, nisis a ministro generali huius fraternitatis fuerit examinatus et approbatus, et ab eo officium sibi praedicationis concessum.

Let the brothers not preach in the episcopate of any bishop, when it has been forbidden to them by him. And let none of the brothers at all dare to preach to the people, unless he has been examined and approved by the minister general of this fraternity, and by him the office of preaching has been granted.

Moneo quoque et exhortor eosdem fratres, ut in praedicatione, quam faciunt, sint examinata et casta eorum eloquia (cf Ps 11,7; 17,21), ad utilitatem et aedificationem populi, annuntiando eis vitia et virtutes, poenam et gloriam cum brevitate sermonis; quia verbum abbreviatum fecit Dominus super terram (cf Rom 9,28).

I also admonish and exhort those same brothers, that in the preaching which they do, their utterances be examined and chaste (cf Ps 11,7; 17,21), for the utility and edification of the people, announcing to them vices and virtues, punishment and glory with brevity of discourse; because the Lord has made an abbreviated word upon the earth (cf Rom 9,28).

Caput X: De admonitione et correctione fratrum.

CHAPTER 10: On admonition and correction of the brothers.

Fratres, qui sunt ministri et servi aliorum fraturm, visitent et moneant fratres suos et humiliter et caritative corrigant eos, non praecipientes eis aliquid, quod sit contra animam suam et regulam nostram. Fratres vero, qui sunt subditi, recordentur, quod propter Deum abnegaverunt proprias voluntates. Unde firmiter praecipio eis, ut obediant suis ministris in omnibus quae promiserunt Domino observare et non sunt contraria animae et regulae nostrae.

Brothers, who are ministers and servants of other brothers, let them visit and admonish their brothers and correct them humbly and charitably, not enjoining upon them anything that is against their soul and our Rule. Brothers, however, who are subjects, let them remember that on account of God they have abnegated their own wills. Whence I firmly enjoin upon them that they obey their ministers in all things which they have promised to the Lord to observe and which are not contrary to the soul and to our Rule.

Et ubicumque sunt fratres, qui scirent et cognoscerent, se non posse regulam spiritualiter observare, ad suos ministros debeant et possint recurrere. Ministri vero caritative et benigne eos recipiant et tantam familiaritatem habeant circa ipsos, ut dicere possint eis et facere sicut domini servis suis; nam ita debet esse, quod ministri sint servi omnium fratrum.

And wherever there are brothers who know and recognize that they are not able to observe the rule spiritually, they ought and can have recourse to their own ministers. The ministers, however, should charitably and benignly receive them, and have such familiarity toward them that they may be able to say to them and to do as masters to their own servants; for thus it ought to be, that the ministers be servants of all the brothers.

Moneo vero et exhortor in Domino Jesu Christo, ut caveant fratres ab omni superbia, vana gloria, invidia, avaritia (cf Lc 12,15), cura et sollicitudine hujus saeculi (cf Mt 13,22), detractrione et murmuratione, et non curent nescientes litteras litteras discere; seb attendant, quod super omnia desiderare debent habere Spiritum Domini et sanctam eius operationem, orare semper ad eum puro corde et habere humilitatem, patientiam in persecutione et infirmitate et diligere eos qui nos persequuntur et reprehendunt et arguunt, quia dicit Dominus: Diligite inimicos vestros et orate pro persequentibus et calumniantibus vos (Mt 5,44). Beati qui persecutionem patiuntur propter iustitiam, quoniam ipsorum est regnum caelorum (Mt 5,10). Qui autem perseveraverit usque in finem hic salvus erit (Mt 10,22).

I warn and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that the brothers beware of all pride, vain-glory, envy, avarice (cf. Lk 12:15), care and solicitude of this age (cf. Mt 13:22), detraction and murmuring, and let them not be concerned, if unlettered, to learn letters; but let them attend to this, that above all they ought to desire to have the Spirit of the Lord and His holy operation, to pray always to Him with a pure heart, and to have humility, patience in persecution and infirmity, and to love those who persecute us and rebuke and accuse us, because the Lord says: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute and calumniate you (Mt 5:44). Blessed are they who suffer persecution on account of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens (Mt 5:10). But whoever will have persevered unto the end, this one will be saved (Mt 10:22).

Caput XI: Quod fratres non ingrediantur monasteria monacharum.

CHAPTER 11: That the brothers should not enter the monasteries of nuns.

Praecipio firmiter fratribus universis, ne habeant suspecta consortia vel consilia mulierum, et ne ingrediantur monasteria monacharum praeter illos, quibus a sede apostolica concessa est licentia specialis; nec fiant compartres virorum vel mulierum nec hac occasione inter fratres vel de fratribus scandalum oriatur.

I firmly command all the brothers not to have suspect associations or counsels with women, and not to enter the monasteries of nuns, except for those to whom a special license has been granted by the Apostolic See; nor let them become co-parents (godparents) of men or of women, nor on this occasion let scandal arise among the brothers or concerning the brothers.

Caput XII: De euntibus inter saracenos et alios infideles.

CHAPTER 12: On those going among the Saracens and other infidels.

Quicumque fratrum divina inspiratione voluerint ire inter saracenos et alios infideles petant inde licentiam a suis ministris provincialibus. Ministri vero nullis eundi licentiam tribuant, nisi eis quos viderint esse idoneos ad mittendum..

Whoever of the brothers, by divine inspiration, will have wished to go among the Saracens and other infidels, let them ask for license from their provincial ministers. But let the ministers grant to none the license of going, unless to those whom they have seen to be suitable for sending..

Ad haec per obedientiam iniungo ministris, ut petant a domino papa unum de sancte Romanae Eccclesiae cardinalibus, qui sit gubernator, protector et corrector istius fraternitatis, ut semper subditi et subiecti pedibus eiusdem sanctae Ecclesiae stabiles in fide (cf Col 1,23) catholica paupertatem et humilitatem et sanctum evangelium Domini nostri Jesu Christi, quod firmiter promisimus, observemus.

To these things I enjoin upon the ministers by obedience, that they ask from the lord pope one of the cardinals of the holy Roman Church, who may be the governor, protector, and corrector of this fraternity, so that, always subjects and made subject at the feet of that same holy Church, steadfast in the faith (cf Col 1,23) Catholic, we may observe poverty and humility and the holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, which we have firmly promised.

Nulli ergo omnino hominum liceat hanc paginam nostrae confirmationis infringere, vel ei ausu temerario contraire. Si quis autem hoc attentatre praesumpserit, indignationem omnipotentis Dei et beatorum Petri et Pauli, apostolorum eius, se noverit incursurum. Datum Laterani tertio kalendas decembris, Pontificatus nostri anno octavo.

Therefore let it be permitted to no men whatsoever to infringe this page of our confirmation, or to contravene it with temerarious daring. But if anyone shall presume to attempt this, let him know that he will incur the indignation of Almighty God and of the blessed Peter and Paul, his apostles. Given at the Lateran on the third day before the Kalends of December, in the eighth year of our Pontificate.