The chronicle and institution of the Order of the seraphicall father S. Francis conteyning his life, his death, and his miracles, and of all his holie disciples and companions / set foorth first in the Portugall, next in the Spanish, then in the Italian, lastlie in the French, and now in the English tongue.

How the sick are to be visited, and what care must be had of the dead.

THE XIV. CHAPTER.

WHen any of the Brethren shalbe sick, the superiour Mini∣sters being therof in the behalfe of the sick party aduerti∣sed, they shall visitt or cause him to be visited at least once in a weeke, admonishing him touching the state of his soule, as farre foorth as they shal find it requisit. And if he be poore, they shalbe carefull to procure him what is necessary, out of the almose of the poore: And if the sick person doe dye, all the Brethren and sisters of the Confraternity that shalbe in the towne or place where they dye, shalbe presently aduertised therof, to the end they be present att the funerals: whence they shall not depart till the

diuine office be ended and the body interred. The like shalbe obser∣ued towardes the sisters that are sick, and that depart out of this life. Eight dayes after the death of any Brother, all the Brethren and sisters of the Confraternity shalbe obliged, to say for their soules (the Priestes) a Masse of the dead, they that can read, 50. psalmes, and they that cannot read, 50. Pater nosters, with Requiem aternam. Lett also be procured to be sayd three Masses euery yeare for the Bre∣thren and sisters departed. They that can read the psalter, shall att their commodity say it entierly euery yeare, and they that cannot read, shall say 100. Pater nosters adding Requiem eternam att the end of each one.