Contempt of the World

37. 1. They have neither the sentiments of the world in their mind, nor its maxims in their heart, nor its fashions in their conduct.
38. 2. Their motto is: nolite conformari huic saeculo nequam. This is why they avoid as much as they can, without offending charity or obedience, whatever savors of the spirit of the world — such as wigs and skullcaps, muffs and gloves, flowing sashes, dainty shoes, precious fabrics, polished hats, snuff or other tobacco, and the like.
39. 3. They do not absolutely condemn those who out of propriety or necessity in the world make use of such things, but they answer those who would press them to adopt them: nos talem consuetudinem non habemus. [1 Cor 11:16] And since by their ministry they make an open profession of combating the world — that antichrist and enemy of virtue — they distance themselves from it as much as they can, even in indifferent things that might little by little bring them closer to it: qui spernit modica paulatim decidet. [Sir 19:1]
40. 4. They do not, however, affect any singularity in their outward appearance. They endeavor, according as Divine Providence, their nursing mother, provides for them, to dress like the generality of good ecclesiastics, and particularly those of the Seminary of Saint-Sulpice in Paris, having neither collar, nor hat, nor cloak, nor any other garment that distinguishes them from others.
41. 5. They never go, during the time of missions, to eat at the homes of private persons, except once or twice at the home of the pastor of the place. Outside the time of missions, they go very rarely and only with a special permission from the Superior.
42. 6. They neither write nor receive any letter without placing it in the hands of the Superior, who will read it if he judges it fitting.
43. 7. They go to their missions on foot as much as they can, following the example of Jesus Christ and the apostolic men. But in their infirmities or when the roads present great difficulties, they do not hesitate to accept the means of transport that Divine Providence furnishes them.