Article 12

On the prohibition of entering the Monasteries of Nuns, and of going there

Since the same Rule forbids the Brothers from entering the Monasteries of Nuns, except for those who have the express permission of the Holy Apostolic See: although they have hitherto believed that these words should not apply to the Monasteries of poor enclosed Ladies, because the Holy Apostolic See takes special care of them; and although they claim that these words were thus explained in a constitution made in a General Chapter by the Provincial Ministers during the lifetime of Saint FRANCIS, shortly after the establishment of the Order.

Nevertheless, since the Rule does not exempt any Monastery, they have requested assurance whether this prohibition extends generally to all, or only to those of the poor Nuns: to which we answer that they are generally forbidden from entering the Monasteries of Nuns, whatever Order they may belong to; and by the term Monastery, we understand the Cloister, the living quarters, and the internal offices of the House.

As for other places where the Seculars go, the Brothers who have the permission of their Superiors, due to their prudence and merit, may also go there to preach or to ask for alms: always excepting the Monasteries of the said poor Enclosed Nuns, where no one may go without the express permission of the Holy Apostolic See; and it is said that Gregory IX, our Predecessor, explained himself in this way on this matter.