Chapter 4

Of the Election of the Abbess.

In the Election of the Abbess the sisters are bound to observe it in the canonical manner.

Secondly—They shall speedily invite the General Minister, or at least the Provincial of the Friars Minors, to exhort them with the word of God to concord and union, and to seek the common good in the election.

Thirdly—None shall be chosen who is not professed, or if they choose such a one for Abbess they shall not obey her, except she vow to observe their poverty.

Fourthly—When the Abbess dies, the election of another shall be made in the same manner.

Fifthly—If it appear that the Abbess is not sufficient for the service of the sisters and common good, they are bound to choose another as speedily as they can, in the form before mentioned.

Sixthly—She who is chosen should weigh well the charge she has undertaken, and consider to whom she must render an account of the flock committed to her care.

Seventhly—She should endeavour to excel her sisters in virtue and piety, and be superior to them in holiness more than in authority, as by her good example they will obey her more from love than fear.

Eighthly—She should take care not to shew partiality to any, lest it should give scandal to the community.

Ninthly—She shall comfort the desolate, and be the last refuge of the afflicted, lest the weak, wanting comfort, be overcome with sadness and despair.

Tenthly—She shall follow the community in all things, principally in the Church doctrine, refectory, and in the infirmary, as also in her attire; and the Vicaress is likewise bound to observe the same order.

Eleventhly—The Abbess shall assemble the sisters to chapter, at least once a week, where she, with her other sisters, shall humbly confess and acknowledge all their public faults and negligences. She is likewise to confer with her sisters concerning such things as are for the benefit and decency of the Monastery; for sometimes God reveals his wisdom to those whom they may think the least.

Twelfthly—No great debt shall be contracted without the consent of all the sisters, and in time of manifest necessity, it must be done by their procurator.

Thirteenthly—The Abbess and other sisters shall take care not to receive or keep any thing for others within the Monastery, to prevent any scandal or clamour which it might cause.

Fourteenthly—All the officers of the Monastery are to be chosen by the unanimous consent of all the sisters, in order to maintain peace and union among them.

Fifteenthly—The Abbess shall choose eight of the discreetest sisters, whose counsel she is obliged to follow in matters concerning their manner of life.

Sixteenthly—The sisters, when they think it expedient and necessary, have power to change their officers, and choose others in their place.