The Rule of 1221 had been embraced with joy by the lay followers of Saint Francis. The Rule underwent a minor adjustment in 1283 but remained essentially unchanged until 1883. In that year the Rule of 1221 was abrogated (withdrawn) and a new Rule substituted for it. In 1978, the 1883 Rule was abrogated and a new Rule substituted. Today Secular Franciscans live the Rule of 1978, also called the Pauline Rule.

In the 1994, one individual who had learned about the Rule of 1221 felt a persistent, interior call to live it in the modern world and, a few months later, to pray that others would live it also. The small local group that developed from this has evolved into the international Confraternity of Penitents.

What Makes the Confraternity Unique

A few groups make reference to the Rule of 1221 in their Rules of Life and some attempt to follow it in some way. Some of the wording regarding how they follow the Rule is similar or even the same as in the Confraternity of Penitents. However, there are significant differences.

Why Live the Rule of 1221 As Closely As Possible to Its Original Intent??

All Rules of Life, if lived well, are means to achieving holiness. Those living any Rule of Life can achieve holiness if they are obedient to how their group is living the Rule in the modern world.

The call to the Confraternity of Penitents was to “live the Rule of 1221” and to “pray that more people will live the Rule of 1221 and enter this fraternity.” This implies that the Rule was to be lived as written, as much as is possible in today’s world and in keeping with current Church practices. While no one knows the mind of God, we might speculate on why the call to “live the Rule” was given. Might God have wanted to make it easier for some people to attain holiness because they “live the Rule of 1221”? At first glance to the modern eye, the Rule seems difficult to live, although those who are living it find it joyful and liberating. They have discovered that living the Rule "as closely as possible to its original intent" brings many graces and spiritual fruits. Many saints and blesseds lived the Rule of 1221. Several of these were religious but over thirty were lay people. To read short summaries of their lives, consult the link in the left link column.

Might God want all those who “live the Rule of 1221” today to have a chance at achieving such levels of sanctity? We in the Confraternity of Penitents hope so!

The Intent of the Rule of 1221

The Rule of 1221 was intended to be a religious Rule of Life for lay people. Those living the Rule were considered to be part of a religious Order for the laity. Even though they were laity, they conducted themselves like religious. This meant that

• The penitents had certain days of fasting and abstinence.

• They prayed certain prayers.

• They lived modest lives in witness to Christ.

• They met in community monthly for instruction, support, and prayer.

• They supported their own needy members with prayers and alms.

• They participated in works of charity.

• They were to take the first steps toward reconciliation and to be at peace with all.

How Does the Confraternity of Penitents “Live the Rule of 1221 As Closely As Possible to Its Original Intent?”

Here are some ways in which the Members of the Confraternity of Penitents live the Rule as closely as possible to its original intent. These ways distinguish the Confraternity from other lay Catholic organizations, associations, and Orders.

• Just like religious do in convents and monasteries, penitents lived their Rule twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week without relaxation or mitigation other than following the Church custom of not fasting or abstaining on Sundays and Solemnities. This is the case in the Confraternity of Penitents.

• Depending on whether the fabric was of animal or plant fibers, clothing for medieval penitents would have been any shade of “earth tones,” “neutral colors,” white or black (Rule, Chapter 1). The CFP mandates the same colors for continual wear.

• Penitents were to be inconspicuous in doing penance (Rule, Chapter 1). The CFP maintains this intent by allowing penitents to wear solid colored blue articles of clothing as well as neutral tones. Blue reminds the penitent of his or her consecration to the Blessed Mother, the patron of the Confraternity, and also, because it is a color, helps conceal from others the fact that penitents are doing penance in the area of clothing.

• Reading Chapter 1 of the original Rule indicates that penitential garb, while specific in some ways, was varied among the penitents. Hence, no specific habit was mandated. The CFP retains this intent by having its lay members mix and match their garb so that they do not appear to be wearing habits. Nor may they receive permission to wear a habit. It is the opinion of the Diocese of Providence, whose bishop has accepted the CFP Rule and Constitutions, that the wearing of a habit is intended for vowed religious.

• “Vain adornments” were to be put aside (Rule, 2, 4). The CFP maintains this intent by having its members relinquish all jewelry except functional pieces like watches, wedding bands, earring studs, and a cross or crucifix pendant, ring, or lapel pin.

• Fur garments were limited to “lamb’s wool only” (Rule, 4). The CFP maintains this intent by stating that fur garments must be lamb’s wool or lamb’s wool imitation.

• "Except for the feeble, the ailing, and those traveling," the Rule mandated two meals a day (Rule, 6). The CFP maintains this stipulation while allowing a “bite to eat” “if needed” at one other time during the day.

• Penitents who were engaged in fatiguing work were allowed to “take food three times a day” during the time of year when this strenuous, outdoor work was done (Rule, 11). The Rule implies that the abstinence provisions (no meat) were to be followed. The CFP retains the “three times a day” limit for fatiguing work, with abstinence from meat being observed on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays as the Rule states (Rule, 6).

• Penitents were to abstain from meat four days a week (Rule, 6). The CFP retains this intent. If penitents are eating out on abstinence days, they should select meatless dishes. However, if they are served meat as guests in the homes of others, they should eat what is set before them so as not to embarrass the host. This is in line with Rule, 6 and Rule, 9.

• Penitents were to pray an Our Father both before and after meals. If they skipped a meal as a fast, they were not exempt from praying. In that case, they were to pray three Our Fathers (Rule, 7). The CFP has retained this.

• The Rule of 1221 defined fasting as the way the Church fasted at that time. Penitents were to follow the Church’s fasting guidelines, not their own (Rule, 8). The CFP has its members follow the Church’s guidelines, not their own, while fasting.

• All penitents were to attend Matins “in the fast of St. Martin and in the great fast, unless inconvenience for persons or affairs should threaten.” (Rule, 14). Today public attendance at Mass has replaced attendance at Matins. Therefore, CFP penitents are to attend Mass unless there is a “serious inconvenience.”

• Penitents were to confess three times a year (Rule, 15), which was considered to be frequent during medieval times when most people made confession only once in a lifetime. Today monthly confession is the norm although yearly confession is required. To retain the intent of confession more frequent than the norm, the CFP requires twice monthly confession.

• Ill penitents were to be visited weekly and to be reminded of their obligation to live their Rule (“remind him of penance”) (Rule, 22). The CFP recommends weekly visits in which the ill penitent is not only encouraged and prayed for but is also reminded of his or her obligation to do penance even while ill.

• The official Church representative, the Visitor, was a priest as implied by his power to dispense from the Rule (Rule, 37) and to impose Church penalties (Rule, 39). The CFP requires that its Visitor be a priest.

• Only the Church representative, the Visitor, could determine what “satisfaction” would have to be performed by a penitent who acted contrary to the pledge (Rule, 30). The CFP has retained this power to the Visitor only.

• Only the bishop could declare a person cleared of heresy (Rule, 32). The CFP allows only the bishop to have this power.

•  Only the Church representative, the Visitor, had the power to dispense penitents from living certain parts of the Rule (Rule, 37). The CFP has retained this power as belonging to the Visitor only.

• Only the Visitor could expel someone “from the brotherhood” (Rule, 35). The CFP maintains the intent of the original Rule by allowing this power only to the Visitor.

Are there other ways in which the Confraternity of Penitents is unique in following the Rule of 1221? Definitely! You can find these by comparing the Confraternity Constitutions with the Statutes and Constitutions of other groups. Carefully look for additions, omissions, and changes between the groups. Ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten you. Remember that any Rule of Life is not an end in itself but rather a means to help you to surrender to God in every aspect of your life. Pray that the Lord will enlighten you as to which group and Rule will help you to achieve this. The Lord will guide you. 

Penance as a Vocation

Might a vocation to live a life of continual penance (conversion) in the manner of the Confraternity of Penitents be for you? Only the Holy Spirit knows! But you can be sure that He wants you to find out. If you are fourteen years of age or older, you can be part of the Confraternity of Penitents.

• Roman Catholics may become Members by completing the CPF four year formation program in the Catholic faith and in living the Rule gradually over those years. By the end of four years, the penitent is living the entire Rule and may then apply to pledge to live the Rule and Constitutions for life.

• Non-Catholics and Catholics with impediments may complete the four years of formation as Associates, even though they cannot pledge.

• Those who cannot or do not wish to do formation are invited to become Affiliates who live in peace with all and who support the Confraternity.

• Transfers from other Lay Associations or Third Orders will enter formation at a level determined by the similarity of their current Rule and Constitutions to those of the CFP. See the  FAQ page, linked to from the left link column, for more information.

Using the links in the left link column, explore these pages for more information and pray about what God wants of you. Then follow the words of our Blessed Mother to the waiters at the wedding feast of Cana and “do whatever He tells you.”

May you receive all the blessings God has in store for you!

Contact Information

Please contact us and we will pray for you as you discern a call to "live the Rule of 1221 as closely as possible to its original intent." Should you feel that the Holy Spirit would like you to inquire with the Confraternity, you will discover support in a vibrant internet, postal mail, and telephone community as well as several local gatherings.

Our Inquirer Application for Members and Associates is linked to from the left link column on this page.

Information on becoming a CFP Affiliate can also be found on a link in the left link column.