Chapter 8

The sisters are not to appropriate any thing to themselves; and of the sick sisters.

The sisters are not to appropriate anything to themselves, neither house, place, nor any thing whatsoever, but be as pilgrims and strangers in this world, serving our Lord in poverty and humility.

Secondly—They shall beg alms with great confidence, and not be ashamed of so doing, seeing our Lord was poor for the love of us in this world.

Thirdly—This is the height of the highest poverty, which has made you, my most dearly beloved sisters, heirs and queens of the kingdom of Heaven; and be poor in temporal things, that you may be ennobled with celestial virtues; let this be your portion, which leads to the land of the living, to which I beg of you, my dearly beloved sisters, to adhere, and never to possess any thing under heaven, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Fourthly—It is not lawful for any sister to send or receive letters, or to dispose of any thing out of the Monastery, without the Mother Abbess’s consent, or to have any thing which she does not allow, or has not given her permission to keep.

Fifthly—If any of the sisters receive any thing from their parents, or any other person, she may make use of it with the Abbess’s leave, and if not, the Abbess may dispose of it in charity to any other sister who most wants it. If money be sent to any, the Abbess, with the advice of her Council, is obliged to provide them with all necessaries.

Sixthly—The Abbess is strictly obliged, either by herself or by others whom she employs, to find out the necessities of the sick sisters, and to provide them remedies for their diseases, as well as meat and other necessary things, according to the means of the house, and to provide for and attend the sick sisters in the manner that they would willingly be served themselves, if they were in the same condition.

Seventhly—They shall freely declare to one another their necessities, for if a true mother love and nourish her carnal daughter, with how much care and diligence ought not a sister to love and nourish her spiritual sister.

Eighthly—The sick may lie on beds of chaff, and have a pillow of feathers under their heads, and those who have need may use socks and quilts.

Ninthly—The aforesaid sick, when visited by those who, for their service, are allowed to enter into the Monastery, may briefly answer such as speak to them, with good and edifying words; and the other sisters who have leave to be present, are not to speak to those who enter thus the Monastery, but in the presence of two of the discreet sisters, appointed by the Abbess or Vicaress, who must hear what is said; and the Abbess and her Vicaress are themselves obliged to observe this manner of speaking. This is not now necessary, seeing none enter but in the cases permitted by the Council of Trent (Sess. 25, c. 5).