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THE RULE OF LIFE
Chapter IX
On Having Meetings
1. You will gather together, one or more [delegates] for the following reason:
First, every six years for choosing, or confirming, a Superior of the whole Congregation, his assistants, and the Diocesan (Provincial) Superiors. Those who have an active and passive voice - three from each diocese (or province) - will gather, having been called to one house by the letter of the Superior [General] concluding his term. There having spent one day of abstinence, having sung the Mass to the Holy Spirit, they will be cloistered until by secret vote they have chosen one noted for integrity, prudence, religious discipline, outstanding in learning. The secretary and the discretus will sign the certificate of the one elected by the consent of the greater part of the electors. All will kiss the hand of the elect as a sign of reverence and obedience. After the election, they will go to the church to sing the hymn Te Deum laudamus. If anyone [during the election process] will have been noted for his ambition, let him be perpetually declared unfit for all offices. Afterwards, an election of assistants, the Procurator general, then of the provincials shall be held - also by secret ballot If anything will be decreed in this meeting, let it be inscribed in the General Acts.
2. The Diocesan Meetings will be held every three years, for establishing some good or abolishing evil; and for [the election of] those to be sent to General Chapter, according to what was noted above. To these meetings will go the local vicars of each house, along with the delegates chosen by secret vote.
3. The local superior will call together the members twice each week. On Fridays he will gather them to assign adequate penance in order to make up for their faults. Kneeling, each one will manifest his faults clearly, openly, with pious disposition, and without excusing himself. He will humbly accept a penance imposed there. If someone is falsely accused at that time [by another], he will not respond, afterwards, meeting with the Superior he will testify to his innocence (unless he would prefer to innocently suffer with Christ). A liar will be punished, without being pardoned, with the penalty that would have been given to the one he accused. Absent from this distinguished Tribunal of Love should be hatred, envy and excessive Zeal. In fact in telling another's faults - unless there is risk in delay - it' is praiseworthy to follow the Gospel's rule: remind him privately [then] with a companion, admonish him; [and then,] unless he has come back to his senses finally, bring him to the Church (cf. Mt 18:15ff). But concerning the faults of outsiders, consider that nothing about it pertains to you - so much so that, unless you seem to be moved by good zeal, you should think that it is not your job to give an opinion about their faults.
4. The second time that the local superior will gather his members together is on Sundays, after evening meditation (or at another suitable time) for a spiritual conference in Latin (or in the vernacular) using simple, clear, flaming language in order to kindle their spirits to the practicing of virtues, eliminating disordered affections and pursuing holiness. Or you may read a good book on this matter - namely, one that will exhort everyone quietly, yet efficaciously to loving God, following in Christ's footsteps, observing religious discipline and persevering in holy penance. After the conference some mortification, or prayer, or act of virtue will be assigned to be exercised by everyone during the coming week. If the occasion or necessity shall have demanded it, during the same gathering, the superior with the senior [members] will be able to treat whatever concerns the welfare of the community.
5. Lastly, everyone will be gathered together - by the common signal of the bell - to help the soul of any member departing from this human life. They will commend him with pious admonition, prayers and humble tears to God's goodness and mercy, striving with all fraternal strength that in this agony no one would be in danger concerning his own salvation. Indeed, the superior will, with greatest charity, be certain to give the sick not only the bodily medicine they need at the right time, but especially to give them the remedies or eternal lire. These are: earnest confession of sins, and detesting of them public declaration of [one's] faith, protesting against the plottings of the Devil, the handing over of his ,soul to the hands of God and his confessor, devoted reception of the holy Eucharist and of the Last Rites," the invoking of heavenly aid, and absolute hope and confidence in the merits of our Savior.
6. The Church's customary prayers at the side of the dying are to be said devotedly. Their soul should be fervently entrusted to God. The body of the deceased should be fittingly washed, and piously laid to rest within three days. As quickly as possible, the news of the death should be spread amongst the other houses, so that the deceased [member] may be helped - with the sacrifice of Masses and with prayers and mortifications - by everyone. Together, all of you may bless the merciful God of heaven, who, though unworthy, you serve on earth.
"Singuli, vel aliqui." This is a difficult phrase to translate, but this appears to be the sense intended.
Probably the one who verifies the vote.
The. local superiors were considered the vicars of the General (or later, the Provincial Superior).
Literally, "will be punished with the law of retaliation," i.e., the Old Testament "eye for an eye." Cf. Dt. 19:21.
Literally, "Extreme Unction."
Literally, "the agonizing [one]."
Other editions close with the inscription "God's Honor and Glory alone."
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