Capuchin Friars

DOCUMENTS AND TESTIMONIALS OF THE FIRST CENTURY

Edited by COSTANZO CARGNONI

An English translation of I FRATI CAPPUCCINI. Documenti e Testimonianze del Primo Secolo. A cura di COSTANZO CARGNONI. Roma 1982

Table of Contents

Presentation of Flavio Roberto Carraro

General Introduction of Costanzo Cargnoni

First Part: Inspiration and Institution

Section I: Papal Documents (1528-1627)

Introduction by Isidoro Agudo

Pontifical Documents Index

Section II: Early Capuchin Legislation (1529-1643)

General Overview by Francesco Saverio Toppi

I. The Ordinances of Albacina (1529)

Introduction by Francesco Saverio Toppi

The Ordinances of Albacina (1529)

II. The First Constitutions (1536)

Introduction by Francesco Saverio Toppi

The 1536 Capuchin Constitutions

III. The Ordinances of the General Chapters (1549 & 1552)

Section III: First Capuchin commentaries on the Rule (early 16th Century-1614)

General Overview by Costanzo Cargnoni

I. Gospel Love concerning the Rule of Saint Francis

II. First Capuchin Commentary on the Rule of St Francis

III. Short discourse concerning the observance of the vow of minoritic poverty

IV. Declaration on Capuchin Clothing by Bernardino d’Asti

V. Humble exposition on the evangelical Rule revealed by God to the blessed confessor Francis

Section IV: Way of life, customs of the province, formularies, ceremonials (1536-1641)

I. Defence and Endorsement of the Capuchin way of life

Introduction by Costanzo Cargnoni

Index to Capuchin way of life

II. Traditions and Customs of the Provinces and the Noviciate

Introduction by Costanzo Cargnoni

Index to Traditions and Customs of the Noviciate

III. Ascetical and Devotional Observances in the ancient Rule Booklets

Introduction by Costanzo Cargnoni

Index to Rule Booklets

IV. Capuchin Life as it was described in documents granting obedience, assigning work to the friar and in letters of Affiliation

Introduction by Costanzo Cargnoni

Index to various Obediences

V. First printed Ceremonials and “Way of Life”

Introduction by Costanzo Cargnoni

Index to various printed Ceremonials and Ways of Life

Third Part: Holiness and Apostolate

Section I: Ascetical-Mystical Spiritual Writings (1535-1628)

I. General Overview by Costanzo Cargnoni

II. Critical Analysis of Capuchin Spiritual Writing prior to the Council of Trent

III. Critical Analysis of Capuchin Spiritual Writings after the Council of Trent

IV. Summary: The Capuchin Ascetical School of Alessio da Salò

Selected texts of Capuchin spiritual authors

Section II: Evangelisation and work of the apostolate (1526-1632)

I: Preaching and Preachers (1525 – 1632)

Introduction by Costanzo Cargnoni

Selected texts of Capuchin preachers

II. Forty Hours Devotion (1536-1665)

Introduction by Costanzo Cargnoni

Selected texts of the Forty Hours Devotion

III. Catechisms (1536- 1601)

Introduction by Costanzo Cargnoni (still to be translated)

Selected Catechisms

IV. Assistance to the sick, dying and condemned (1589-1646)

Introduction by Costanzo Cargnoni

Selected texts to assistance to sick, dying and condemned

V. Service to the plague-stricken (1576-1635)

Introduction by Costanzo Cargnoni

Selected texts of service to the plague-stricken

VI. Missions and Missionaries (1596-1640)

Introduction by Costanzo Cargnoni

Selected texts on Capuchin Missions and Missionaries

Section III: Testimonies on the Capuchin Life from the Processes of the Saints (1587-1641)

Introduction by Costanzo Cargnoni

[Examples of Canonical Depositions for Capuchin canonisations]

Fourth Part: Expansion and Inculturation

Section I: Testimonies of the first Capuchins in Francis (1575-1638)

I. The Capuchins in France

II. The Spiritual and Social Life of the Capuchins in France

Introduction by Optatus Van Asseldonk

              1. Mystical Doctrine of Benet of Canfield

Appendix I: Origins and Initial Development of the Capuchin Poor Clares

[Introduction by Lazzaro Iriate and various documents]