Order of Friars Minor

Order of Friars Minor
Tom Lemmens · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Order of Friars Minor
Founder	Francis of Assisi
Founded	1209
Type	Religious order
Headquarters	Vatican City

Order of Friars Minor is a mendicant Catholic religious order founded in the early 13th century by Francis of Assisi and approved by Pope Innocent III. It developed within the context of medieval Italy, interacting with institutions such as the Holy See, the Catholic Church, and city-states like Assisi, Rome, and Florence. The order influenced and was influenced by figures and movements including Saint Clare of Assisi, the Dominican Order, and the intellectual currents centered at University of Paris and University of Bologna.

History

The early history centers on Francis of Assisi's renunciation in Perugia and his approval at Pope Innocent III's curia, followed by papal bulls such as those issued by Pope Honorius III and later interventions from Pope Gregory IX. The friars expanded across Italy, into France, Spain, and the Holy Roman Empire, meeting contemporaries like Saint Dominic and encountering institutions including the Franciscan Third Order and the Franciscan Order of Sisters. Internal divisions produced groups such as the Spiritual Franciscans, the Conventual Franciscans, and the Observants, leading to interventions by councils like the Council of Lyons and the Council of Trent. Franciscan missionaries reached Asia via routes associated with Marco Polo and engaged with polities such as the Mongol Empire, the Byzantine Empire, and the Ottoman Empire, while New World missions involved contacts with Hernán Cortés, Francisco Pizarro, and indigenous societies in Mexico and Peru. The order played roles in cultural patronage linked to artists like Giotto di Bondone and writers including St. Bonaventure, Dante Alighieri, and Thomas Aquinas's Dominican counterparts. Modern history saw friars involved in social movements alongside figures such as Dorothy Day and interactions with popes including Pope John XXIII, Pope Paul VI, and Pope Francis.

Organization and Governance

Governance follows the Rule of Francis of Assisi interpreted through statutes approved by successive popes like Pope Nicholas IV and governed via assemblies such as the General Chapter and offices including the Minister General, provincials, and custodians. The order relates canonically to the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life at the Holy See and cooperates with bodies like the Synod of Bishops, national bishops' conferences such as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and religious federations including the Conference of Religious. Structural terms include province, custody, and friary, with formation stages recognized by seminaries and universities such as the Pontifical University of St. Bonaventure (Seraphicum), Gregorian University, and regional houses affiliated with dioceses like the Archdiocese of Chicago and Archdiocese of Westminster. The order has undergone canonical reforms under papal directives from Pope Gregory XVI to Pope Paul VI, and engages in ecumenical dialogue with institutions like the World Council of Churches and dialogues involving Anglican Communion delegations.

Charism, Rule, and Spirituality

The Franciscan charism traces to the Rule of Francis of Assisi and sources including the Testament of Saint Francis and the writings of St. Bonaventure and St. Clare of Assisi. Spiritual themes emphasize poverty, itinerancy, contemplation, and preaching, intersecting with theological debates addressed by scholars at University of Paris, University of Oxford, and thinkers like Aquinas's interlocutors in the Scholasticism era. Devotional practices include the Stations of the Cross, the Canticle of the Sun, and commemorations connected to feasts in the Roman Rite calendar promulgated by Pope Pius V and revised under Pope Paul VI. Franciscan theology influenced mystics such as Meister Eckhart, Julian of Norwich, and later figures like Thérèse of Lisieux. The order's emphasis on creation care resonates with modern teachings exemplified by Laudato si' and dialogues with environmental movements and institutions like the United Nations.

Ministries and Activities

Friars engage in pastoral ministry in parishes and shrines such as Santa Maria degli Angeli, educational work at institutions like St. Bonaventure University, healthcare apostolates connected to hospitals historically linked to St. Francis Hospital, and missionary outreach to regions including Africa, Asia, and the Americas. They operate media and publishing initiatives comparable to religious presses such as Paulist Press and collaborate with charitable organizations like Caritas Internationalis and Catholic Relief Services. Franciscan involvement extends to peacemaking efforts with organizations similar to Sant’Egidio Community and advocacy within forums including United Nations Environment Programme and humanitarian responses coordinated with International Committee of the Red Cross and diocesan agencies. Historic ministries included care for lepers and plague victims in settings shaped by events like the Black Death and institutional contacts with hospitals patronized by rulers such as Frederick II.

Notable Members and Saints

Prominent friars include founders and theologians such as Francis of Assisi, St. Clare of Assisi's companion Saint Anthony of Padua, St. Bonaventure, Duns Scotus, and missionaries like John Duns Scotus's intellectual heirs. Other notable figures are Maximilian Kolbe, Junípero Serra, Pedro de Gante, Anthony Mary Claret (historically associated with Franciscan spirituality), and modern influencers like Pope Francis who draws inspiration from Franciscan ideals. The order's hagiography intersects with events such as the Canonization of Saint Francis and sites like Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, where liturgies presided by popes including Pope John Paul II took place. Scholars and artists connected to the tradition include Giotto, Cimabue, Jacopone da Todi, and theologians who taught at institutions like the University of Paris and Oxford University.

Habit and Symbols

The friars are commonly identified by a simple brown or gray habit tied with a cord bearing three knots, a tradition associated with vows referenced in documents preserved by archives such as the Vatican Secret Archives and libraries like the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana. Symbols include the Tau cross used by Francis of Assisi, the stigmata motif associated with Padre Pio and Francis, and emblems depicted in art housed in museums like the Uffizi Gallery and the Vatican Museums. Liturgical and devotional objects linked to the order appear in shrines such as Assisi's Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi and in reliquaries curated by dioceses including the Archdiocese of Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Gualdo Tadino.

Category:Franciscan orders Category:Catholic religious orders