both in her life and after her death Blessed Vraca Roderiguez of Vlmes of most noble parentage and exceeding rich entring into a a Church where she heard the words of our Sauiour si vis perfectus esse vade vende omnia quae habes da pauperibus tooke them as said to her selfe and so bestowed much part of her meanes vpon religious houses builded an hospitall conuerting her owne house into a monasterie and giuing all the rest to the poore Afterward she with fiue of her neeces and three other gentlewoemen entred into this order about the yeare 1491. None was more chast than she none more vigilant She exceld all the rest in patience meekenesse mercie humilitie and dayly labours and at last replenished with merits and sanctitie died lies buried in the monasterie she had erected About the same time liued Blessed Agnes à ferro who sometime did attend on the Queene of Aragonia but afterward being weary of the world and despiseing the vaine honours thereof became religious of this third order liuing in great pouertie humilitie and sanctitie In the yeare 1500. Blessed Anne of Areualo was famous for sanctitie in the monasterie of S. Elizabeth of the third order of S. Francis where she liued for a hundred yeares in exceeding great humilitie patience abstinence prayer and charitie About the same yeare liued Blessed Clare of Fulginea famous for pietie and deuotion being very zealous of regular obseruance and often deseruing to be comforted in apparitions by the seraphicall Father S. Francis About the yeare 1515. florished Blessed Catharine Ruiz whose charitie in assisting the sicke sisters was admirable spending all that euer she could get for them yea begging for them and thereby became famous for sanctitie Blessed Anna Sanchez was one of her companions whose deuotion and continuall prayer was much to be admired yet she was of an excellent prudence for gouernement and therfore was sent to be mother or Abbesse in the Cloyster of S. Clement from whence after she had beene there 20. yeares with great labours and toiles leauing the most fragrant odour of her sweet conuersation she returned to her former place where broken and wearied with pennances fastings and continuall prayers she died with great sanctitie the cell and bed wherein she died did for sometime after shine with a great light to the great admiration of those that beheld it About the same time also liued in Placentia Blessed Baptista famous in her life for many vertues and after her death for many miracles especially for that her body remaining entire doth yeeld a most sweet and pleasing smell In the yeare 1519. liued B. Maria Pennalosa in the monasterie of S. Elizabeth in Segouia a woman of a very religious spirit in humilitie prayer and charitie hardly to be equalised who as it is commonly reported in her life time did obtaine life for a yong man that was dead for which and other things she is worshipped there with great deuotion About the same time B. Elizabeth Pontia together with her two daughters both also holy woemen began the monasterie of S. Anne in the prouince of Carthage and by their example did draw many others to Religion And as in their life they had the generall opinion of sanctitie so after their death their Reliques haue deliuered many that had beene possessed as also cured many diseases Blessed Francisca of S. Anne in the yeare 1525. was brought from the monasterie where she had made profession of the third order to the monasterie of the annuntiation at Grinion in the diocesse of Toledo that she might giue a beginning therto and instruct others that were to come in regular discipline and as she had beene abbesse of the former place so was she abbesse of this with woÌ„derfull fruit of soules for she did excell in prudence charitie pietie humilitie affabilitie modestie abstinence and monasticall obseruance B. Lucie about the yeare 1530. did found the monasterie of S. Clare vnder the rule of the third order and was very famous for perfection of life and miracles Her body is had in great estimation with the faithfull in those parts About this time liued Blessed S. Ioane of the holy Crosse whose admirable life is set forth in out vulgar language and therefore here omitted B. Francis liued in the same time of whom Gonzaga thus writes This most vertuous and religious sister Francis was a child of the third order of saint Francis who declining from the innumerable deceits of the fiend did get a glorious victorie ouer sathan and therefore was much feared by him B. Aldonza about the yeare 1566. was famous for sanctitie and after hauing beene abbesse when the sisters were to remoue she prayed that she might die in the same place which she obtained and six yeares after her death her body was found whole and entire yeelding a fragrant odour wherefore she was held in great veneration Blessed Marie Gonsalue in the yeare 1577. died with great opinioÌ„ of sanctitie after she had fouÌ„ded a monasterie of this third order wherein she lead a life of great perfection aswell in seruing the poore as in compassionating their miseries and wants she did alwayes sleep without any bed vnder her exactly obseruing the fasts of the whole yeare with rigorous and bloudy disciplines Blessed Olalia Grinesia was famous for sanctitie about the yeare 1583. For entring into this order and therein desiring the height of pennance she was not contented with the ordinary austerities of her order but inuented new fastings all the lents and vigils in bread and water and three times in the weeke did take bloudy disciplines being much addicted to pouertie and humilitie she would willingly serue all and continually did meditate on our lords Passion and not without teares Lastly falling into a dropsy now fourscore yeares old she died most blessedly The sisters by her reliques did cure very many diseases About the same time liued B. Clare Martineira whost abstinences fastings watchings teares haircloaths rigorous disciplines humble exercises feruent prayers mortificatioÌ„s pious workes most great temptations deuout actâ—oÌ„s celestiall visions diuine fauours frequent miracles both in her life and after her death are set downe by Daza And least I be ouer tedious in rehearsing so many holy persons to omitte many others which may be seene in the martyrologe amounting to two hundred vpwards I will conclude this chapter with Blessed Innocentia who liued in these our times and died in the yeare 1624. This Blessed virgin of noble parents in Cicilie from her infancy gaue her selfe to pietie vertue and temperance obseruing the fasts very strictly and despiseing the pompe and vanitie of this world out of her great desire of perfection entred into this third order giuing very good example of humilitie pouertie chastitie and obedience And by her continuall meditation she was so enflamed with the fire of diuine loue especially when she communicated that she was often rapt into extasie Her body remaines as yet whole and
vnlesse he were vrged for that he tooke no content in company yet at the time when he had gotten leaue to goe into England he was so much altered and changed as if he had bene another man or as one who was not able to cōtaine his ioy but in actions voice ad countenāce one might iudge what his heart possessed and so after a most austere penitentiall and humble life much admired esteemed and honoured of all he did offer vp a voluntarie sacrifice of his life for Gods cause that he might reape an eternall crowne in heauen which as we piously belieue and may gather out of his owne writings he obtained by the mediation of our B. Lady to whom he was singularly devoted and from whom he had receiued many favours Of Father Francis Bell who was formerly Confessour to your Religious women of the third Order Guardian of your Convent aforesaid and Provinciall of Scotland and a little before his death againe elected Guardian of your said Convent of Douay I neede say no more than what each one that knew him would say that he was a true Franciscan or child of our holy Father S. Francis that consequētly he was fitting fuell to satisfie the burning rage of Gods enemies and to make a pleasant holocaust to God by sacrificing his life for his sake Here I may apply the example of that famous Captaine Epimanon-das who did not so much glory in his great victories as that his parents from whom he had his being did take pleasure and content therein as Plutarch reporteth I for my part and I belieue such is the opinion of all your children whom you haue begotten in Christ Iesus doe not so much rejoice for the great glorie that redounds to our Province hereby as that you the Father of vs all with pleasure and content haue seene the fruict of your labours If Dutie may challenge it sure it must be yours by all right for whatsoeuer we doe is yours you R. Father being our first Father and vnder God the sole beginner and worker of our being in this happy state of Religion for if Vlisses was iudged to haue right to the Armour of Achilles because he was the occasion of his comming to the wars of Troy surely you may challenge whatsoeuer act praise-worthy may be performed by any of vs and therfore if any haue deserved praise in labouring for the conversion of soules in teaching instructing others in writing in vertuous examples or any other heroicke acts they are yours and are but so many additions to your Glorie If gratitude for benefits receiued may moue me who can better deserue it than your R. Paternitie who by your labour haue sustained maintained and conserued vs for diuers yeares truly if we proue vngratfull euen the very wals of your two erected Convents will crie shame on vs and giue testimonie of our ingratitude Now although each of vs haue this generall obligation yet in a more particular manner must I acknowledge it and therfore most willingly doe I xoffer this and all my labours as yours by all right and duty wherfore it resteth only that you vouchsafe R. F. to patronize and accept of this exposition of the Rule which Pope Leo the tenth hath accomated for Religious persons of the third Order of our holy Father S. Francis which I haue made and composed for your Religious daughters of that Order now residing at Neuport whose Religious Simplicitie prompt Obediēce peace full Amitie and regular Observance may crowne your old age with joy and content which I pray may alwayes continue both in this life and in the world to come Thus he wisheth who alwayes remaineth RIGHT REV. FATHER Your poore Beadsman and vnworthy Child Br. ANGELVS FRANCIS To the Reader I Haue thought good to advertise thee that in the beginning I intended to haue ioyned both parts of this booke in one volumne but finding the latter part to grow greater than I expected I was forced to divide them into two bookes and because the first part was some what disproportionable to the other by advise of some of my Friends I haue differred hitherto the setting forth of this first part and added some other things which although they concerne not the subiect I was to handle I meane the exposition of the Rule yet they conduce to the practise therof as also may supply the want of the formes and manner of cloathing Professing annealing of the Religious so that hereby vniformitie may be observed and the Confessours find most things that are necessary in this kind I hope all will take it in good part and excuse the litteral errours committed in the print which among strangers can hardly be avoided APPROBATIONES F. Georgius à S. Gulielmo Provinciae Angliae in ordine FF Minorum Prouincialis R. P. F. Angelo à S. Francisco meo Commissario in partibus Belgicis S. Th. Lectori CVm ad instantiam R. admodum Patris F. Ioannis Gennings Provinciae nostrae Patris Monialium nostrarum Tertij Ordinis S. P. N. Francisci Neoporti residentium lucubrationes aliquas ad pleniorem Regulae ipsarum Declarationem mediteris in merito S. Obedientiae tibi iniungo his praesentibus Licentiam do quatenus prius observatisijs quae in Concilio Tridentino circa impressionem librorum ordinantur eas quantocius praelo commendas Datum Londini Hac 22. Ianuarij Ann. 1642. LEgi librum cuius titulus est The third Rule Off. S. Francis as it is accommodated for Religious Persons Ab admodum Reuerendo patre Fr. Angelo à S. Francisco S. Thologiae Lectore Recollectorum Ordinis eiusdem S. Francisci Pouinciae Anglicanae Commissario compositum in quo nihil inueni fidei Catholicae vel bonis moribus contrarium sed plurima cum magna eruditione tradita quae illis pro quibus scriptus est in bonum cedent Duaci in Collegio S. Gregorij 15. Decembris 1644. F. BVDES INDVS BARIO S. Theologiae Doctor Professor in Collegio Vedastino Duaceno R. Admodum P. F. Angelus à S. Francisco S. T. Lector Recellectorum Provinciae Anglicanae Commissarius qui iam pridem de Tertia regula S. Francisci alio volumine bene meruit novas elucubrationes in eandem regulam vt iustis suorum desiderijs satisfaciat patrio idiomate praelo offert quas cum diligenter evoluissem iudicavi non modo per omnia sanē fidei bonis moribus consonas sed insuper visae mihi sunt vbique redolere spiritum S. Francisci verè pium multaque insignia mira perspicuitate complecti quae magno cum fidelium commodo eorum praesertim qui sub auspicijs Tertiae regulae deo sunt militaturi in lucem emitterentur Datum Duaci in Collegio Anglorum Decembris 21. Anno Dom. 1644. GVILIELMVS HYDAVS S. T. Professor Collegij Anglo Duaceni Vice-praeses VIsis approbationibus Virorum eximiorum ac doctissimorum Sacrae Theologiae Professorum super libello anglicè scripto
order since it came to be a perfect religious state ALthough there haue beene from the beginning of this holy order many that did liue in a claustrall manner the order it selfe euery day encreasing more and more yeelding abūdāce of holy persons who haue professed this holy rule yet it neuer came to its full perfection that is to compleat and perfect state of religion vntill the time of blessed Angeline a diminitiue frō Angela for distinction sake other wise she was also called Angela who from being Countesse of Ciuitella became religious of this order For hauing gathered together many noble yong woemen of the same minde with her selfe shee built a monasterie and dedicated it to S. Anne in the yeare 1397. and entring therein with her associats hauing first made the three vowes of obedience pouerty and chastitie she did with sanctitie perseuer to the end of her life in fasting prayer and other exercises of pennance By her example many other gathering their meanes together in short time did build eight monasteries in diuerse parts of Italy and did liue vnder the habit and rule of the third order which manner of life was approued and confirmed by the Popes Martin 5 Eugenius 4. Not long after by their example many men did also build conuents liuing vnder the same habit and rule with the three vowes of religion as they had done This holy woman died on the day that Christ was borne as our Sauiour appearing on S. Thomas his day had declared vnto her and lies buried in the said monastery of S. Anne where she is worshipped with great reuerence of the people Amongst the disciples of this holy woman were many religious persons famous for sanctitie Iacobellus principally notes three to wit blessed Onuphria sometimes countesse of Aprutia and B. Francis of Burgaria of the house of the Earles of Marsican and blessed Ioane of Fulginea much renowned for pietie vertue regular obseruance and perfection of life who afterward went to Florence and there built the monasterie of S. Onuphrius ending their daies in great sanctitie Blessed Margaret Dominicke was also one of them that tooke the habit from S. Angeline and became a perfect follower of her vertues for she much excelled in prayer humilitie and contēpt of her selfe and did serue euery one as if she had beene their subiect and with a sincere heart and candide mind did reuerence all her sisters her puritie was rather angelicall than humane and her obedience such that without the consent of her superiour she would doe or resolue nothing shewing no lesse respect also to her ghostly Father She tamed her flesh with abstinence fastings and haircloath as being most zealous of her vowes being full of charitie she did helpe any of her sisters that were in necessitie and willingly performe their wills In the end the monasterie of S. Anne being ouer filled with religions the citizens of Fulginea did build another vnder the title of S. Anne and this holy woman was made Abbesse therof where she instructed her sisters in the best manner and by her friends enlarged the monastery which she most religiously gouerned vntill she was called to Spoletum where she began also another monasterie vnder the title of S. Catharine Which done she was brought home to herformer monasterie where she appeared more feruent excercising her selfe in the workes of holy prayer pennance and mortification whence after the death of B. S. Angeline she was called to succeede in her place and therein began to shine with miracles and there died with incredible patiēce in her infirmitie her body was placed in a shrine neere to the altar in the said monasterie of S. Anne which was long times after found whole and entire yeelding a most fragrant odour and shining with miracles Blessed Lucida was one of the companions of S. Magaret famous for regular obseruance and rare vertues She was much delighted in the memorie of Christs Passion and thereby merited to feele the dolour of the wounds of our Sauiour in her hands Blessed Sanctia Martinez was endowed with great humilitie and perfection of life For after she had builded at her owne charges the monasterie of S. Elizabeth at Arenali in the yeare 1440. and laid a good foundation for the reuenues thereof became her selfe religious of this order being of such examplar life that all did striue to imitate her humilitie being such that although she was borne of nobler parents yet was she not ashamed to carry water vpon her shoulders through the market place And no lesse addicted she her selfe to austeritie and pennance and so died with great opinion of sanctitie Blessed Pyrona of flāders did enter into the monasterie of the third order in Gāt that there she might serue God more purely and more freely giue her selfe to workes of pennance She had the gift of compunction so copiously that her eies were as a red cloth She was very obedient to her superiours flourished in true pouertie and did much labour to conserue her chastitie and keepe her mind and body free from all spot After she had liued thus a long time with great sanctitie she got leaue of her Abbesse to goe and liue in an hermitage within the Church yard of S. Nicholas neere to the towne where she did shine with admirable sanctitie austeritie of life patience and miracles and knew the secret thoughts of the mindes of those that came to her and oftentimes made them knowne She died in the yeare 1472. Blessed Mary Ruiz of Alcarazio despiseing all nuptiall rites tooke the habit of this order and by her example did draw many others to her and together with them by the authoritie of Pope Innocent the 8. did liue after a religious manner changeing her house into a monasterie in the yeare 1486. And liuing vnder the obedience of the Prouinciall of the Friar Minors with abundance of merits and vertues most religiously died hauing before foretold the time of her death About the same time liued Blessed Beatrix Hermosilla who together with her Ant did study to perfection nothing esteeming the world and pompe therof whatsoeuer they could get they did distribute to the poore and by their labours with helpe of the citizens did erect the monasterie of S. Elizabeth in Castile where with other virgins and woemen they made profession of this third order and with great sanctitie of life liued and died therein in the yeare 1485. Her bones were taken vp 47. yeares after being fresh and yeelding a very sweet sent and being translated to a more conuenient place very many miracles were wrought before them which gaue occasion to the people to shew great deuotion vnto them B. Aldonza Lopetia of noble race by the helpe of the cittizens of Arenali in the yeare 1490. began the monasterie of our lady after wards through the sanctitie of the holy woeman called the monasterie of Aldonza for that she was the first Abbesse of this house who had the spirit of prophecie working miracles