Chapter XVII. How the blessed Francis taught the brethren to pray; and concerning the obedience and purity of the brethren

45. At that time the brethren entreated S. Francis to teach them to pray, because, walking in simplicity of spirit, they knew not as yet the offices of the Church. And he said to them: "When ye pray, say, ' Our Father ' and ' We worship Thee, O Christ, [here] 1 and at all Thy churches which are in all the world, and we bless Thee for that by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world"'. And this the brethren, dutiful disciples of their master, were most¹ careful to observe, for not only those things which blessed Francis told them by way of brotherly advice or fatherly command, but even those things which he was thinking of or meditating on, if they could get to know them by any token, they strove most effectually to fulfil. For their blessed father used to tell them that true obedience is not only uttered, but thought out: not only enjoined, but desired. That is, if a subject brother should not only hear the voice of a superior brother but should understand his will, he ought forthwith to concentrate himself wholly on obedience and do what he understands by any sign to be the superior's will.

Moreover, in whatsoever place a church might be built, even if they were not present there, yet if they could in anywise see it from afar they bowed down toward it flat on the ground, and inclining the inward and the outward man, worshipped the Almighty, saying, "We worship Thee, O Christ, [here] and at all Thy churches"; as the holy father had taught them. And (a thing not less to be wondered at) wherever they beheld a cross, or a mark of a cross, whether on the ground, on a wall, on trees, or in hedges by the way, they did that same thing. 46. For holy simplicity had so filled them, innocency of life was so teaching them, purity of heart so possessed them that they were utterly ignorant of duplicity of mind. For as they were one in faith so they were one in spirit, one in will, one in charity: agreement in disposition, harmonious behaviour, the practice of the virtues, conformity of mind and piety in action ever prevailed among them.

For once when they were often confessing their sins to a secular priest who was deservedly infamous and a man to be scorned by all for his flagitious deeds, though his wickedness had been made known to them by many they would by no means believe it, nor did they on that account omit to confess their sins to him as usual, or to pay him due reverence. And when one day he (or another priest) had said to one of the brethren, "See, brother, that thou be not a hypocrite," that brother immediately believed, by reason of the priest's words, that he was a hypocrite, and therefore day and night he lamented, being moved with exceeding grief. And when the brethren asked him what might be the meaning of such great sadness and such unwonted mourning, he answered: "A priest has said a thing to me which causes me such grief that I can hardly think of anything else". But the brethren tried to comfort him and urged him not to have such a belief. But he said, "What is it you say, brethren? It is a priest who said those words. Can a priest lie? Since then a priest lies not we must needs believe that what he has said is true." And so he continued a long time in such simplicity, but was calmed at length by the blessed father's words, who explained to him the priest's saying and wisely made excuse for the priest's intention. It was scarce possible for any brother to be in such trouble of mind that all the clouds would not depart and the sky be clear again at his bright words.