Article 3

On the Habit of the Brothers and their Fasts

It is said in the Rule that those who have promised obedience should have a Robe with a Hood, and, if they wish, a Tunic without a Hood. Moreover, that all the Brothers should be clothed in poor and simple garments. We have already declared that these words carry the force of precepts.

But since we wish to regulate this Article more perfectly, we say that with regard to the number of Robes, it is not permitted for the Brothers to have more than two, except in cases of necessity, as is set forth in the Rule; which our predecessor Nicholas III declared more fully.

As for the poverty of garments, whether of the outer Robe or of the Tunic, We say that it must be judged by the color and by the price of the cloth, according to custom and according to the condition of the country, since it is not possible to establish a single regulation on this matter for all kinds of places. Therefore, we have deemed it proper to leave this judgment to the Ministers and the Custodes, or Guardians; placing this upon their conscience; but always on the condition that they be clothed in poverty.

We likewise leave to them the care of judging for what needs the Brothers may wear shoes.

Moreover, the Rule having specified two different periods during which they are obliged to fast, namely from All Saints’ Day until Christmas, and during Lent; it then adds that at other times they are only obliged to fast on Friday. This has given rise to some saying that the Friars Minor are bound to other fasts only out of propriety.

Now we declare that this means they are not obliged to fast at other times except on the days prescribed by the Church; for it is not reasonable to suppose that the Author of the Rule or the Pope who confirmed it intended to dispense them from the fasts to which all other Christians are bound by a common ordinance for the whole Church.