XVII. Istis quæ addictæ sunt eleemosynis et ornatui templorum, ostendatur crebro, summam perfectionem in eo consistere, quod terrenarum rerum amore esse exuentes, ipsum Christum ejusque socios earum possessores faciant.
XVIII. Sed quia minus semper sperandum à viduis quæ liberos suos ad sæculum dirigunt, videbimus.
CHAP. VII.
How widows are to be retained; and how to dispose of the goods which they may leave.
I. Let them be urged constantly to go on in their devotion, and good works, so that no week may pass in which they do not retrench spontaneously some of their superfluities, for the honor of Christ, the blessed Virgin, or their patron saint; which let them give to the poor, or devote to the decoration of temples, till they are divested of the most of these treasures, like the first fruits of Egypt.
II. But if besides their common affection, they show a liberality to this society, and continue stedfast; let them become partakers of all the merits of the society, by the special indulgence of the provincial, or even of the general, if they be eminent persons.
III. If they have taken a vow of chastity, let them renew it, according to our custom, twice a year; innocent recreation being conceded to them, on that day with our members.
IV. Let them be frequently visited, entertained and amused with agreeable conversations and stories, spiritual and facetious, according to each one’s humor and inclination.
V. Let them not be too rigidly treated in confession, lest they become too morose; except where the hope be lost of regaining the favor of those enticed from us, in which case great discretion is to be exercised on account of the characteristic inconstancy of women.
VI. Let them be carefully kept from the visitations and festivals of other churches, especially those of the religious orders; and let it be impressed upon them that all the indulgences of other orders are abundant in our society.