In theory, obedience to the superior was absolute; in practice, we can see Francis continually giving his companions complete liberty of action.[19] Men entered the Order without a novitiate of any sort; it sufficed to say to Francis that they wanted to lead with him a life of evangelical perfection, and to prove it by giving all that they possessed to the poor.

The more unpretending were the neophytes, the more tenderness he had for them.

Like his Master, he had a partiality for those who were lost, for men whom regular society casts out of its limits, but who with all their crimes and scandals are nearer to sainthood than mediocrities and hypocrites.
One day St.Francis, passing by the desert of Borgo San Sepolcro came to a place called Monte-Casale,[20] and behold a noble and refined young man came to him.

"Father," he said, "I would gladly be one of your disciples." "My son," said St.Francis, "you are young, refined, and noble; you will not be able to follow poverty and live wretched like us." "But, my father, are not you men like me?
What you do I can do with the grace of Jesus." This reply was well-pleasing to St.
Francis, who, giving him his blessing, incontinently received him into the Order under the name of Brother Angelo.
He conducted himself so well that a little while after he was made guardian[21] of Monte-Casale.

Now, in those times there were three famous robbers who did much evil in the country.