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The Words of Brother Conrada
I. THESE ARE THE WORDS PASSED ON BY THE HOLY BROTHER CONRAD OF OFFIDA
1Blessed Conrad of Offida heard from blessed Brother Leo, companion of our blessed father Francis, that when he composed the Rule that we are still bound to observe, the holy father Francis was on the side of the mountain with two companions, namely Brother Leo and Brother Bonizo.
2These two were apart from Saint Francis, because he was down below in a cave, a stone's throw away. Whatever the Lord revealed to him in prayer, he reported to them. Brother Bonizo then dictated and Brother Leo wrote it down.
3So when Saint Francis went before the Lord Pope by whom the Rule was confirmed and sealed, Francis placed his hand upon it, swore and said that this was the will of God and no other. And he did this a second and third time.
4It is true that before he began the Rule, the Cardinal who was the protector of the Order said to Saint Francis: "Go, brother, and beg the Lord that He show you His will, because the Lord Pope and all the Cardinals love you and have placed great trust in you. Hence, whatever the Lord reveals to you will be approved and will be authoritative for you and your brothers." Saint Francis went off and did as the Cardinal had advised.
6Thus it happened that when the Rule was being dictated to them by our Lord Jesus Christ a great rumor resounded among the brothers throughout all of Italy that Saint Francis was drawing up another rule; thus each minister alerted another. So all of those in Italy gathered where the curia was and Brother Elias, who was then vicar, and they said to him: "We have heard that Brother Francis is making another rule, and we fear that it might be too strict. Because he is so hard on himself, he may demand some things that would be unbearable for us. So before it is done and confirmed, tell him." Brother Elias replied: "I have already undergone sharp rebukes; so if you want, you tell him. Not me." And because the holy father Francis had
- This translation is based on Andrew George Little, Pierre Mandonnet, and Paul Sabatier "Verba Fr. Conradi. Extrait de Ms. 1/25 de S. Isidore," in Opuscules de Critique Historique, tome I, (Paris: Librairie Fischbacher, 1903), 370-92.