The Rule of 1221 and Statutes, Chapter 5: The Sacraments and Other Matters
Article 15: Rule
They are to make a confession of their sins three times a year and to receive Communion at Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. They are to be reconciled with their neighbors and to restore what belongs to others. They are to make up for past tithes and pay future tithes.
Article 15: Statutes
a. Penitents should go to confession monthly if at all possible, and to receive the Eucharist weekly.
b. All are to be reconciled in every way possible and to tithe ten percent of their income to their parish, the Catholic Church, or to charitable organizations whose goals are in keeping with the Church hierarchy and magisterium. If a ten percent tithe seems too high, the penitent should consult their spiritual director or confessor, or their parish priest about the appropriate amount of the tithe and then should follow the advice given if they reasonably can. Since the penitent is to financially support their home chapter of the Brothers and Sisters of Penance of St. Francis and the work of this Association, a portion of one’s tithe may go to this cause.
Article 16: Rule
They are not to take up lethal weapons, or bear them about, against anybody.
Article 16: Statutes
a. They are not to take up or bear lethal weapons against anybody with the exception of participation in a just war as a soldier defending their country or as part of one’s legitimate employment (police or security officers, for example). If a penitent is living in a dangerous environment in which a weapon may be necessary for self-defense, a spiritual director or confessor must approve the penitent’s possession of any weapon.
b. Hunting and fishing to provide meat for one’s family is permitted. One is also permitted to kill animal, bird, or insect pests that may be destroying one’s food supply or threatening one’s life, goods or home.
Article 17: Rule
All are to refrain from formal oaths unless where necessity compels, in the cases excepted by the Sovereign Pontiff in his indult, that is, for peace, for the Faith, under calumny, and in bearing witness.
Article 17: Statutes
a. All are to refrain from formal oaths except where required by law.
Article 18: Rule
Also in their ordinary conversations they will do their best to avoid oaths. And should anyone have sworn thoughtlessly through a slip of the tongue, as happens where there is much talking, he should the evening of the same day, when he is obliged to think over what he has done, say three Our Fathers in amends of such oaths. Let each member fortify his household to serve God.
Article 18: Statutes
a. They are not to take oaths in ordinary conversations.
b. They are to watch their speech and, should they sin by speaking, they are to say, by evening of that same day, three Our Father’s.
c. Let each member teach his or her household to love and serve God.
d. Let the members lovingly serve others outside their house-hold by participating, as much as obligations, time, finances, and health permit, in the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy, following the guidance of God and their spiritual director or confessor. Let them serve all with the charity and mercy of Christ. The spiritual and corporal works of mercy are listed in Appendix C.