Chapter 3

On offices, on visitation, and on the law itself

(1) Let the offices be passed on [deferantur] to the members called together to the Chapter [conventum]. The same shall be once every three years. Let the one who has been removed (from office), lest he protest without just cause, bear it as something to be yawned at [oscitanter].

(2) Let the Curator, who is called the Visitator, diligently inquire, whether the laws have been sufficiently kept [salvae leges]. Therefore it pertains to him [eius rei] to go about in his official capacity [pro potestate] to the places of the sodalities each year, and so far more frequently, if the matter requests it, and to hold a meeting (at which) the Prefect and all the members have been commanded to be present. If the Visitator recalls anyone to (his) duty by warning (and/or) commanding, or if he has decreed anything against anyone, let the latter accept this modestly, and let the same not refuse [abnuat] to pay (the penalty).

(3) Let Visitators be picked from the First Order of the Franciscans or from the Third Order Regular, whom the Custodes or Guardians, if they have been asked, will designate. The duty of Visitator shall be forbidden to lay men.

(4) Let the members [sodales] (who) are disobedient and noxious be admonished of their duties two and three times: let those who do not obey, be commanded to leave the Order.

(5) In these laws if any by chance be delinquent, let them know that they have undertaken no fault in name, except those which are otherwise precepted by divine law and the laws of the Church.

(6) If a grave and just cause prohibits anyone from observing any chapter of this law, it is licit that he be absolved from that part of the law, and that the same chapter be prudently commuted (to another obligation). Of which matter let the faculty and authority over the (afore)said pertain to the ordinary Prefects of the Franciscans both of the First and Third Order, likewise to the Visitators.