Jesus Christ. The last comers envied them, and were only consoled by
the thought and hope that a time would come when they would be employed
in this holy warfare, and, should an opportunity be given them, of
displaying equal courage; the seniors embraced the latter, and
congratulated them on having chosen this holy estate of life: they all
exhorted each other to perseverance.

Their common Father brought them up in the practice of the most rigorous
penances, but with the utmost mildness and kindness. He did not impose
upon them any considerable number of prayers because he was not desirous
of compelling devotion, and rather wished that these exercises of piety
should be spontaneous. He only then prescribed to them to say daily,
for each part of the Divine Office, the Lord's Prayer three times, and
to hear Mass, at which he desired they should employ themselves in
meditating on the mystery. It is, in fact, the very best way of
assisting at the Holy Sacrifice, and the faithful should be advised
to practise it. But those are not to be censured who make use of vocal
prayer during Mass, provided they do so with attention and piety in
the very spirit of the mystery;--since there is nothing in prayer but
what is good, and because, moreover, every one has not the talent of
meditation.

The servant of God, considering that the number of his brethren
increased, thought seriously of forming a Rule for them, and having
assembled the eleven, the number they then were, he said to them: "I
see, my dear brethren, that God, in His infinite goodness, proposes
to extend our society; it is therefore necessary that we should
prescribe for ourselves a rule of life, and go and give an account
thereof to the most holy Roman Pontiff; for I am persuaded that in
matters of faith, and in such as concern religious orders, nothing can