The Intention of Saint Francis Regarding the Observance of Poverty
Brother Richard [Roger] of the Marche, noble by his origin and noble by his holiness, whom the blessed Francis loved with great affection, one day paid a visit to the blessed Francis in the palace of the bishop of Assisi. Among other things he said to him concerning the state of the Order and the observance of the Rule, he questioned him especially in these terms:
“Tell me, father, what was your intention at the beginning, when you first began to have brothers, and what is your intention now, and the one you believe you will keep until the day of your death, so that I may be assured of your first and last intention and will, namely, whether we, clerical brothers, who possess so many books, may have them, even though we say that they belong to the Order.”
The blessed Francis answered him:
“I tell you, brother, that such was and such is my first intention and my final will, if the brothers had believed me, that no brother should have anything other than the garment, as our Rule permits, together with the cord and the trousers.”