_ 109 _ Then the vicar insisted on our going to his lodgings. He and the priests showed us as much deference and hospitality as if the Bishop had arrived in person. There were so many people present that they would not allow us to walk outside unaccompanied. I felt embarrassed as these priests were such worthy Fathers and I was worthless. However, when I realized that the Bishop of India had instructed them to show me that same respect as they would do to him personally, I begged them to let me walk about on my own and in rags just as I deserved, because by acting as they did, they brought shame on our Company, which is founded on poverty. They were surprised by this but did what I asked them, and I told them that I had come to serve, not to be served. They were not short of anyone who could give them an account of our Company, of how it accepted nothing except for the poor, either for masses, sermons, confessions or spiritual service(A). The captain then ordered us to build a cottage near the church” (EX II 100). (A) Barzeu followed the spirit of the 1541 Constitution, where it reads: “For private masses, confessions, preaching... in no way will you charge nor, on the other hand, can you ask for anything. Moreover, for the aforementioned things, neither before or after, ought you or can you accept what is normally given according to the customs of different countries” (MI Const. I 38).6
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTg0NzAy