113.1     First Point

 Saint Francis of Paola had an altogether extraordinary humility, which was the reason why he never took holy orders, judging himself entirely unworthy. He also gave the name Minims to the religious of his order, wanting them to consider themselves as the least of all, with no one below them. He knew how to practice this very well himself, for he served his brothers at table and washed their feet, including even the novices.  But as God usually raises up those who humble themselves,[i] God honored him with the gifts of miracles and of prophecy, which spread his reputation everywhere.

               You have the happiness to labor for the instruction of the poor and to be engaged in a work which is esteemed and honored only by those who have a truly Christian spirit. Thank God for having placed you in so sanctifying a state, and one providing for the sanctification of others, which nevertheless has nothing attractive to others, and even gives those who labor in it frequent occasions to be humiliated.

113.2              Second Point

This saint had a very tender love for all his brothers and greatly encouraged them to practice this virtue because he wished charity to be the characteristic of his order and wanted very much that his religious be taught to do everything out of charity. How happy are those who apply themselves to this virtue with all possible care!

                        Outside of obedience, the virtue which should stand out most in community is charity and union of hearts. Since we should not be here except to bring one another to God, we should especially strive to be united in God, and to have but one and the same heart, and one and the same mind. What should incite us most to achieve this is that, as Saint John says, those who live in love live in God and God lives in them.[ii]

               Do you make yourself one with your Brothers? Do you speak to them and treat them with love? Do you not pay too much attention to your dislikes and antipathies? Deepen within yourself the spirit that in community you should live anew the spirit of the first Christians, who were all of one heart and one soul.

113.3 Third Point

This saint, if one may say so, brought the practice of austerity in his order to excess. When he was thirteen, he withdrew to a deserted place where he gave himself over to fasting, to spend whole days and nights in prayer , and for a space of six years in privations that are hardly believable. As a rule he walked barefoot, slept on the ground in all kinds of weather, ate only a little bread, and drank only a little water once a day after sunset. He obliged his religious by vow never to eat anything except Lenten fare, except when ill. One must feel real hatred for one's body to treat it with so much rigor.

               Shall we then complain if we live a poor life, after Jesus Christ has given us the example of such a life and after so many great saints have practiced such extreme austerities? The austerities which we read about in their lives, and which we see practiced by those whom they have left after them, should encourage us to imitate them according to the spirit of our Institute.