"In 1966, the Father General (of the
Franciscans) came to Rome prior to the special Chapter on the
Constitutions in order to ask Padre Pio for his prayers and
benedictions. He met Padre Pio in the cloister. 'Padre, I came to
recommend to your prayers the special
chapter for the new Constitutions . . .' He had scarcely gotten the
words 'special Chapter' . . . 'new Constitutions' out of his mouth when
Padre Pio made a violent gesture and cried out: 'That is all nothing but
destructive nonsense.' 'But Padre, after all, there is the younger
generation to take into account . . . the youth evolve after their own
fashion . . . there are new demands . . .' 'The only thing missing is
mind and heart, that's all, understanding and love.' Then he proceeded
to his cell, did a half-turn, and pointed his finger, saying: 'We must
not denature ourselves, we must not denature ourselves! At the Lord's
judgment, St. Francis will not recognize us as his sons!'"
A year later, the same scene was repeated for the aggiornamento of the Capuchins: "One day, some confreres were discussing with the Father Definiteur General (The counselors or advisers to the general or provincial of a religious order – Ed.) the problems in the Order, when Padre Pio, taking a shocked attitude, cried out, with a distant look in his eye: 'What in the world are you up to in Rome? What are you scheming? You even want to change the Rule of St. Francis!' The Definiteur replied: 'Padre, changes are being proposed because the youth don't want to have anything to do with the tonsure, the habit, bare feet' . . ."
Padre Pio replied: "Chase them out! Chase them out! What can you be saying? Is it they who are doing St. Francis a favor by taking the habit and following his way of life, or rather, isn't it St. Francis who is offering them a great gift?"
A year later, the same scene was repeated for the aggiornamento of the Capuchins: "One day, some confreres were discussing with the Father Definiteur General (The counselors or advisers to the general or provincial of a religious order – Ed.) the problems in the Order, when Padre Pio, taking a shocked attitude, cried out, with a distant look in his eye: 'What in the world are you up to in Rome? What are you scheming? You even want to change the Rule of St. Francis!' The Definiteur replied: 'Padre, changes are being proposed because the youth don't want to have anything to do with the tonsure, the habit, bare feet' . . ."
Padre Pio replied: "Chase them out! Chase them out! What can you be saying? Is it they who are doing St. Francis a favor by taking the habit and following his way of life, or rather, isn't it St. Francis who is offering them a great gift?"
T
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