The Sixth Part

Of those who are admitted and adopted into the body of the Society what relates to their persons

Chap. I. Of those things which pertain to obedience

[1] That they who have been admitted to be Professed, or Coadjutors may devote themselves with more abundant profit according to our Institute to the service of God, and the succour of their neighbours, they shoxild observe certain things in themselves: the chief of which, although comprehended in those Vows offered up to God and our Creator according to the Apostolical Letters, shall nevertheless be set forth, in this sixth part, in order that they may be more distinctly declared and recommended. And since what pertains to the Vow of Chastitv requires no explanation, it being clear how perfectlv it should be observed, namely by striving to imitate the Angelic holiness in the purity both of our mind and body: Tliis being stated, Holy Obedience shall be spoken of, in which v-irtue all must studiously endeavour to make large prosress, not onlv in things obligatory, but in others, even where there should appear the slightest indication of the Superior's pleasure, without any express command. God our Creator and Lord should be set before our eyes, for whose sake Obedience is paid to men: and care must be taken to proceed in the calm spirit of love, and not in the troubled spirit of fear, so that we may all strive with stedfast purpose to neglect no point of perfection, to which bv the divine grace we can attain, in the absolute observance of all the Constitutions, and the fulfilment of the peculiar object of our Institute: and may most unremittingly exert every efibrt in displacing this -irtue of Obedience, first to the Pope, then to the Superiors of the Society; so that in all things whereto Obedience proceeding from love can extend itself, we may be most prompt to attend to his voice. Just as if it proceeded from Christ our Lord 56 THK CONSTITtTTIONS Of {forasmuch as we pay ohedievce to His place, and for His love and reverence) leaving every other thing, not staying to finish a letter even which the pen is tracing, in our eagerness for instant compliance: directing all our energies to this object and intention in the Lord; so that Holy Obedience may be perfect in us in every point, in execution, in will, in intellect; doing whatever is enjoined us vnth all celerity, with spiritual joy and perseverance; persuading ourselves that cvcrythimj is just; suppressing every repugnant thought and judgment of our own in a certain Obedience, and that moreover in all things which are determined by the Superior, wherein it cannot be defined (as is said) that anv kind of sin appears. And let every one persuade himself, that they who hve under Obedience should permit themselves to be moved and directed under di\ane Providence by their Superiors just as if they were a corpse, which allows itself to be moved and handled in any v:ay; or as the staff of an old man, which serves him wherever and in whatever thing he who holds it in his hand pleases to use it. Thus obedient he should execute anything on which the Superior chooses to employ him in the service of the whole body of the Society, with cheerfulness of mind, and altogether believe that he will answer the divine will better in that way, than in any other which he can follow in compliance with his oum will and differing judgment.

[2] Likewise it is earnestly recommended to all, to show great reverence to their Superiors (and especially in the inner man) to consider and revere Jesus Christ in tfiem, to love them sincerely as fathers in Him, and so to proceed in the spirit of charity in all things as to conceal no external or internal matter from them; but rather wish them entirelv to know everything, thereby the better to direct them in the wav of safety and perfection. And for this reason, all, as well Professed as Coadjutors once a year (and oftener if the Superior sees fit) should be ready to open their consciences to the same person in confession, either secretly or in any other way, by reason of its great utility (as is set forth in the Examen) and also to make a general confession, which shoidd commence from the last general confession, to him whom the Superior shall substitute for himself.

[3] All should inform their Superior what things appear to be desirable for themselves: and let no private person, without his permission and approbation seek or cause to be sought anv favour for his own private use or that of another, from the Pope, or any other wthout the Society', directlv or indirectly: and let each man persuade himself, if he obtain not what he desires, either of his Superior or with his consent, that it would not be conducive to God's service; and that if it is conducive, he wiU obtain it -with his Superior's consent, as one who with regard to him holds the place of Christ our Lord.

Chap. II. Of the things which pertain to poverty, and which follow from it

Poverty is to be loved and maintained in its purity, as the firmest bulwark of ReUgion, as far as possible by the assistance of the di\nne Grace. And since the enemy of the human race is v.-ont to endeavour to weaken this defence and refuge (with v.liich God our Lord has inspired the Rehgious against him and the other adversaiies of Rehgious perfection) by changing the wholesome regulations of the first Founders, by declarations and new Constitutions httle corresponcUng to their first intention: as far as in us hes, we vnH in this part secure the Society; Wnoever shall make profession in it, let them promise that they will do nothing towards an innovation of the Constitutions in what relates to Poverty, except they should judge that it should be in any way yet further restricted in the Lord on account of occurring circumstances. In Houses or Churches which are admitted by the Societv for the succour of souls, no revenues may be kept, not even to be apphed to Vestry or Fabric, nor in any other way so that the Society may have any power over the disposal of them: but let confidence be placed in God alone, whom by His grace it senes, WTio without any revenues will pro'ide aU things for us conducive to His greater praise and glory. Let the Professed hve on alms, and in the Houses, when they are not sent elsewhere; and let them not undertake the duty of ordinary Rectors in the Colleges or Universities of the Societv (except necessity or some exceeding advantage demand itj nor era • ploy their revenues on the Houses. So long as the Coadjutors shall remain in the Houses, which subsist on alms, they also shall live in the same way. If they are Rectors of Colleges, or Lecturers, or useful in any other necessary or advantageous employments, they shall live as the others do, out of the College-revenues, so long as these shall require their service. When they shall cease to be useful to the Colleges, let them no longer live in them; and they shall dwell in the Houses of the Society, as is said of the Professed. 5 Not only shall the Houses and Churches of the Society have no revenues, but not even any possessions whether peculiar or common, except what is needful, or exceedingly convenient to them for habitation or use; of which kind it might be considered if a place were allowed remote from general habitation, enjoying a salubrious air, and other advantages, for the use of the convalescent, or of those who withdraw fi-om the intercourse of the world to be at leisure for spiritual concerns; and even then it shall not be let out to others, nor produce anything which may be looked upon as revenue. 6 Although it is praiseworthy to incite men to good and holy works, and especially to such as shall endure for ever; yet for greater edification no member of our Society ought nor is allowed to stimulate any one to leave perpetual alms to the Houses or Churches of this Society: and if any persons leave such spontaneously, no civil right is acquired to secure them, so that he who refuses to pav them can be sued for them. But when the Love of God moves them to do so, then they may bestow them. 7 All who are under Obedience to the Society should remember that they ought to give gratuitously what they have gratuitously received, neither demanding, nor receiving pay, or alms, by which Masses, or Confessions, or Sermons, or Lessons, or Visitations, or any other duty of all those which the Societv can render according to our Institute, may appear to be remunerated; that so it may proceed with greater liberty and edification of our neighbours in God's serv^ice. 8 To avoid all appearance of covetousness, especially in offices of piety which the Society discharges for the succour of souls, let there be no box in the church, into which idms are generally put by those who go thither to Sermons, Mass, or Confession, aiul other spiritual concerns. I) For the same reason let no trifies be i)rcsented to the great whioh are usually given with a view of obtaining some more valuable return; and let none of our Society habituate themselves to the fi'equent visiting of leading men, except when induced by the holy love of pious works, or when they are united in such intimate friendship in the Lord, that such a duty appears sometimes due to them. 10 Let them be prepared to beg from door to door, when either obedience or necessity demands it. And if one, or more are appointed to ask alms, by which our Houses may be sustained, let them beg them with a holy simplicity for the love of God. 11 As no private property can be held at home, neither can it be kept elsewhere by others. And when all superfluities are removed let every one be contented with what is allowed him from the common stock for his needful or convenient use.

[1] 2 That the purity of Poverty, and that tranquility which accompanies it, may be secured; not only the Professed individually, or Coadjutors shall be incapable of hereditary succession; but neither Houses nor Churches nor Colleges shall inherit in their right. For thus, all suits and controversies being cut off, charitv shall be better preserved wHth all men to the glory of 13 Whenever the Pope, or a Superior shaU send the Professed or Coadjutors to labour in the vineyard of the Lord; they should seek no viaticum, but present themselves freely, to be sent, as shall seem good to them to the greater glory of God. 14 And to proceed in this particular in a manner according with real poverty, no horses shall be ordinarily kept within the Houses of the Society for riding, for the service of any member of the Society, whether Superior or subordinate. 1 5 In regard to dress also let three things be observed; First, that it be becoming; Secondly, accommodated to the customs of the place where they live; Thirdly, that it conti'adict not the profession of poverty. It would seem to be repugnant shoidd we use silk or expensive cloth, from which we must abstain, that in all things due regard to humility and submission be paid to the greater glory of God. 16 In all that concerns food, sleep, and the use of other things needful or convenient for life, although it be the general fare, and in nowise differing from \hat the Physician of the place where they hve shall recommend, so that whatever each man reduces of this, he may diminish it in devotion, not from obligation; still regard shall ever be paid to humility, povertv and spiritual edification, which should always be before our eyes in the Lord.

Chap. III. Of those things, in which the society should be occupied, and from which it should abstain

[1] Regard being paid to the time and expectation of life whereby some are admitted to profession, or to be Coadjutors in the Society, since it is considered as certain that thev w^ill prove spiritual men; and being so proficient in the way of Christ our Lord, that they can continue their course therein, so far as constitution and the external occupations of charity and obedience permit, no rule appears necessary to be prescribed in things relating to prayer, meditation and study, nor in the exteiTial practice of fasting, watching, and other things pertaining to austerity, or the castigation of the body, except what a discerning charity shall dictate to each, so long as a Confessor is always consulted, and whenever a doubt occurs, the question is referred to the Superior. This is said in general: but care must be taken, that overmuch attention to things of this kind weaken not the powers of the bodv, nor occupy so much time, as to render them finally inadequate to the spiritual succour of their neighbours according to the object of our Institute; on the other hand let not the relaxation be so great, that the fen'our of the spirit growing cold, human and inferior aft'ections acquire warmth.

[2] A frequenting of the Sacraments may be greatlv commended; and the Communion, or the celebration of the Mass ought not to be deferred beyond a week excejjt for reasons allowed of by the Superior: and let all confess, each to the Confessor assigned to him, or otherwise according to the order which everv one has prescribed to him by the Superior.

[3] Of the special Rules which are observed in the Houses, where they reside, they should carefully attend to that part which is ajtijlicablc and directed to themselves in the judgment of the Superior; whether it be to their owni improvement and edification, or of others, among whom they hve.

[4] Since those occupations which are undertaken for the succour of souls are of great moment, and pecuhar to om* Institute, and very frequent; and since moreover our dweUing is so uncertain in one place or another; our members shall not serve the Choir at canonical hours, or the saying of ^Masses or other offices: as there will be abundant opportunity- for them who are led by devotion to hear them to satisfy themselves. But that should be attended to by us which is more agi'eeable to our calling to the glory of God.

[5] Since likewise the members of this Society should always be prepared to go to any quarter of the globe, to which they shall be sent by the Pope, or their Superiors; they should not undertake the care of souls, nor of Rehgious, or any other women whatsoever, so as commonly to hear their Confessions, or direct them; although there is no objection to their receiving the Confessions of a Monaster)- once and for special reasons.

[6] It is by no means right for them to be bound to sav perpetual Masses in their Chmxhes, or to any similar duty, which the liberty necessary to our method of proceeding in the Lord does not allow of.

[7] That the Societ}- may be at greater leisure for spiritual concerns according to its Institute; let them abstain, as far as possible, from secular affairs, such as the making of wiUs, executorships, or the management of civil business, or duties of that kind: nor undertake them, nor allow themselves to be occupied with them under any urgency of entreaty. And if any aiFairs of the Colleges require attention, let them have their own proctors, to manage them, and uphold their rights. But if they concern the Houses of the Societ}-, or its whole body; that the Society may better maintain its tranquiUit}-, the same proctor may defend its rights, or some one of the Coadjutors, or some one even without the Society, or some Family, w-hich shall take upon itself the patronage of the House, to the greater glorv of God.

[8] For the same reason, and that occasions of disturbance contrary to our profession may be avoided, and peace and good-will be better maintained with all, to the gi-eater gloiy of God, no one of the Professed, or Coadjutors, or even Scholars of the Society may allow himself to be examined without the licence of the Superior in Civil or Criminal causes, unless he who can obhge him under sin should compel him, and the Superior will never grant permission, except in causes which relate to the (Roman) Catholic Religion; or at least in rehgious causes which tend to its service, so that they end not in the injury of another. For it is the character of our Institute, to promote the service of all in the Lord, as far as possible, without offending any.

Chap. IV. Of the assistance which should be rendered to those who die in the society, and the duties which are paid to its dead

[1] As in the whole course of life, so in death also, every member of our Society more especially should be earnest and watchful that God and our Lord Jesus Christ be glorified in him, and His good pleasure be obeyed and our neighbours edified, at least in the example of patience and fortitude, with a lively faith, hope and desire of those everlasting blessings which Christ our Lord merited and obtained for us by the incomparable labours of His temporal life and by His death. But as it often happens that mortal disease almost entirely overpowers the facidties of the soul; and the removal from this temporal life is of such a nature as to require in a peculiar manner the support of brotherly love, by reason of tlie fierce assualts of the Devil, by whom it concerns us much at that time not to be overcome; let the Superior dihgently take care that he who in the Physician's opinion is in danger of death, arm and sti-engthen himself with the weapons provided for us l)y the bounty of Christ our Lord for his passage from tliis tcmpond to eternal life, by receiving, before he is deprived of his mental powers, all the holy Sacraments.

[2] At the same time he shall see that the sick person be assisted by the prayers of all the inmates seriouslv directed to that object, until he shtdl resign his soul into his Creator's hands. And liesidcs others who may approach, more or fewer at the Superior's pleasure, some ought to be especially selected to \nsit the dying man, to assist and encourage him, to suggest such things, and lend him such aid as befit the occasion: and when;ill other duties shall be of no avail, to commend him to the. Lord, until He shall vouchsafe to receive the soul departing from the body to Himself, who at the vast price of His blood and hfe hath redeemed him.

[3] When he has expired, let his body be kept decently for burial, as long as it is proper. Then let him be buried as the custom is, the servace being performed before the mmates, and on the morning following his death, let aU the Priests within the place offer the sacrifice of the Mass for his soul; and let all the others implore in his behalf the divine clemency in a particular prayer, and further continue therein at the Superior's pleasure, or the individual's private devotion, or obligation, if there be any between them in the Lord.

[4] Let others of the Society be informed wherever the Superior shall deem right, that they may bestow the like offices of Charity, which ought to be rendered in the Lord to those who have departed this life, not less than to the h-ing.

Chap. V. That the constitutions involve no obligation to commit sin

[ Although the Society desires all its Constitutions, Declarations, and order of life to be observed according to our Institute, in no way deviating in any particular; it desires nevertheless all its members to be secured, or at least assisted against faUing into the snare of any sin which may originate fi-om the force of its Constitutions or injunctions: It seems good to us in the Lord that excepting the express Vow by which the Societ^ is bound to the Pope for the time being, and the three other essential Vows of Poverty, Chastit}' and Obedience, no Constitutions, Declarations, or any order of hving can involve an obligation to sin, mortal or venial; UNLESS THE SUPERIOR COM-