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Francis of Assisi, founder of the Order of Friars Minor; oldest known portrait in existence of the saint, dating back to St. Francis' retreat to Subiaco (1223–1224)
On 4 October 1897, the Order of Discalced Friars Minor, Order of Observant Friars Minor, Order of Friars Minor Recollect, the Order of Reformed Friars Minor, et al., were merged into a single religious order named the Order of Friars Minor
Francis began preaching around 1207 and traveled to Rome to seek approval of his order from Pope Innocent III in 1209. The original Rule of Saint Francis approved by the pope disallowed ownership of property, requiring members of the order to beg for food while preaching. The austerity was meant to emulate the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Franciscans traveled and preached in the streets, while boarding in church properties. The extreme poverty required of members was relaxed in the final revision of the Rule in 1223. The degree of observance required of members remained a major source of conflict within the order, resulting in numerous secessions.[3][4]
The Order of Friars Minor, previously known as the Observant branch (postnominal abbreviation OFM Obs.), is one of the three Franciscan First Orders within the Catholic Church, the others being the Capuchins (postnominal abbreviation OFM Cap.) and Conventuals (postnominal abbreviation OFM Conv). The Order of Friars Minor, in its current form, is the result of an amalgamation of several smaller Franciscan orders (e.g. Alcantarines, Recollects, Reformanti, etc.), completed in 1897 by Pope Leo XIII.[5] The Capuchin and Conventual remain distinct religious institutes within the Catholic Church, observing the Rule of Saint Francis with different emphases. Franciscans are sometimes referred to as minorites or greyfriars because of their habit. In Poland and Lithuania they are known as Bernardines, after Bernardino of Siena, although the term elsewhere refers rather to Cistercians.
The "Order of Friars Minor" are commonly called simply the "Franciscans". This Order is a mendicantreligious order of men that traces its origin to Francis of Assisi.[6] Their official Latin name is the Ordo Fratrum Minorum[7] Which is the name Francis gave his brotherhood. Having been born among the minorum (serfs, second class citizens), before his conversion, he aspired to move up the social ladder to the maiorum (nobles, first class citizens). After a life of conversion, the name of his brotherhood (Order of Second-Class Brothers) indicates his coming to an appreciation of his social condition on behalf of those who have no class or citizenship in society.[8]
The modern organization of the Friars Minor comprises several separate families or groups, each considered a religious order in its own right under its own Minister General and particular type of governance. They all live according to a body of regulations known as the Rule of St Francis.[6] These are:
The Order of Friars Minor, known as the "Observants", most commonly simply called Franciscan friars,[6] official name: "Friars Minor" (OFM).[9] According to the 2013 Annuario Pontificio, the OFM has 2,212 communities; 14,123 members; 9,735 priests[10]
The Order of Friars Minor Capuchin or simply Capuchins,[6] official name: "Friars Minor Capuchin" (OFM Cap).[9] it has 1,633 communities; 10,786 members; 7,057 priests[10]
The Conventual Franciscans or Minorites,[6] official name: "Friars Minor Conventual" (OFM Conv).[9] It has 667 communities; 4,289 members; 2,921 priests[10]
A sermon on Mt 10:9 which Francis heard in 1209 made such an impression on him that he decided to fully devote himself to a life of apostolic poverty. Clad in a rough garment, barefoot, and, after the Evangelical precept, without staff or scrip, he began to preach repentance.[11]
The mendicant orders had long been exempt from the jurisdiction of the bishop, and enjoyed (as distinguished from the secular clergy) unrestricted freedom to preach and hear confessions in the churches connected with their monasteries. This had led to endless friction and open quarrels between the two divisions of the clergy. This question was definitively settled by the Council of Trent.[5]
Amid numerous dissensions in the 14th century, a number of separate observances sprang up, almost like sects (to say nothing of the heretical parties of the Beghards and Fraticelli), some of which developed within the order on both hermit and cenobitic principles. They all operated generally under the authority of the Minister General of the Order, a member of the Observant branch, but were allowed their distinct practices. They included:
The Clareni or Clarenini, an association of hermits established on the river Clareno in the march of Ancona by Angelo da Clareno after the suppression of the Franciscan Celestines by Boniface VIII. Like several other smaller congregations, it was obliged in 1568 under Pope Pius V to unite with the general body of Observantists.
The quasi-Observantist brothers living under the rule of the Conventual ministers (Martinianists or "Observantes sub ministris"), such as the Colletans--formed under the guidance of Colette of Corbie and led by Boniface de Ceva in their reform attempts principally in France and Germany;
The reformed congregation founded in 1426 by the Spaniard Philip de Berbegal and distinguished by the special importance they attached to the little hood (cappuciola);
The Neutri, a group of reformers originating about 1463 in Italy, who tried to take a middle ground between the Conventuals and Observantists, but refused to obey the heads of either, until they were compelled by the pope to affiliate with the regular Observantists, or with those of the Common Life;
The Caperolani, a congregation founded about 1470 in North Italy by Pietro Caperolo, but dissolved on the death of its founder in 1481;
The Amadist friars, established by Amadeus of Portugal in 1472, the same year that he was selected to serve as the confessor to the pope. The Holy See entrusted him with the Church of San Pietro in Minotorio to serve as the motherhouse of his growing reform movement. They existed until 1568, when they were merged into the Observant branch of the Order.
A difference of opinion developed in the community concerning the interpretation of the rule regarding property. The Observants held to a strict interpretation that the friars may not hold any property either individually nor communally. The literal and unconditional observance of this was rendered impracticable by the great expansion of the order, its pursuit of learning, and the accumulated property of the large cloisters in the towns. Regulations were drafted by which all alms donated were held by custodians appointed by the Holy See, who would make distributions upon request. It was John XXII who had introduced Conventualism in the sense of community of goods, income, and property as in other religious orders, in contradiction to Observantism or the strict observance of the rule. Pope Martin V, in the Brief Ad statum of 23 August 1430, allowed the Conventuals to hold property like all other orders.[5]
Projects for a union between the two main branches of the order were put forth not only by the Council of Constance but by several popes, without any positive result. By direction of Pope Martin V, John of Capistrano drew up statutes which were to serve as a basis for reunion, and they were actually accepted by a general chapter at Assisi in 1430; but the majority of the Conventual houses refused to agree to them, and they remained without effect.
Equally unsuccessful were the attempts of the Franciscan Pope Sixtus IV, who bestowed a vast number of privileges on both original mendicant orders, but by this very fact lost the favor of the Observants and failed in his plans for reunion. Julius II succeeded in doing away with some of the smaller branches, but left the division of the two great parties untouched. This division was finally legalized by Leo X, after a general chapter held in Rome in 1517, in connection with the reform movement of the Fifth Lateran Council, had once more declared the impossibility of reunion. Leo X summoned on 11 July 1516 a general chapter to meet at Rome on the feast of Pentecost 31 May 1517. This chapter suppressed all the reformed congregations and annexed them to the Observants; it then declared the Observants an independent order, and separated them completely from the Conventuals.[5] The less strict principles of the Conventuals, permitting the possession of real estate and the enjoyment of fixed revenues, were recognized as tolerable, while the Observants, in contrast to this usus moderatus, were held strictly to their own usus arctus or pauper.
All of the groups that followed the Franciscan Rule literally were united to the Observants, and the right to elect the Minister General of the Order, together with the seal of the order, was given to the group united under the Observants. This grouping, since it adhered more closely to the rule of the founder, was allowed to claim a certain superiority over the Conventuals. The Observant general (elected now for six years, not for life) inherited the title of "Minister-General of the Whole Order of St. Francis" and was granted the right to confirm the choice of a head for the Conventuals, who was known as "Master-General of the Friars Minor Conventual"—although this privilege never became practically operative.
In 1875, the Kulturkampf expelled the majority of the German Franciscans, most of whom settled in North America.[5]
The habit has been gradually changed in colour and certain other details. Its colour, which was at first grey or a medium brown, is now a dark brown. The dress, which consists of a loose-sleeved gown, is confined by a white cord, from which is hung, since the fifteenth century, the Seraphic Rosary with its seven decades. Sandals are substituted for shoes. Around the neck and over the shoulders hangs the cowl.[5]
The habit of referring to the Francisans as Cordeliers in France is said to date back to the Seventh Crusade, when Louis IX asked who the particularly zealous monks pursuing Saracens were, and was told they were "de cordes liés". Upon the crusaders return to France, the name became part of the language.[12]
Francesco d'Assisi (Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone) (c. 1181 – 3 October 1226), Seraphic Patriarch or Seraphic Father, mystic, missionary, and founder of the Order, canonized on 16 July 1228. (4 October - principal Feast, and 17 September - commemoration of the Stigmata);[14]
Nicolaas Pieck and 10 Companions (died 9 July 1572), Martyrs of Gorkum during the Protestant Reformation in the Netherlands, canonized on 29 June 1867. (9 July);[24]
Joachim of Saint Anne (John Wall) (1620 – 22 August 1679), Martyr of the English Reformation, canonized on 25 October 1970. (12 July or 25 October or 4 May)
Ludovico da Casoria (Arcangelo Palmentieri) (11 March 1814 – 30 March 1885), founder of the Grey Friars of Charity and the Grey Sisters of Saint Elizabeth, canonized on 23 November 2014. (30 March)
Pellegrino da Falerone (died c. 1233), one of the companions of St Francis of Assisi, beatified on 31 July 1821. (27 March)
Liberato da Loro Piceno (c. 1180/1190 - c. 1231-34), priest, beatified on 2 September 1713. (6 September)
Rizziero da Muccia (died 7 February 1236), one of the first followers of St Francis of Assisi, beatified on 14 December 1838. (7 February)
Angelo da Pisa (c. 1195 – 7 May 1236), founder of the Franciscans in England and its first minister provincial in the country, beatified on 4 September 1892. (8 May);[37]
Ruggero da Todi (c. 1190 - 5 January 1237), one of the first followers of St Francis of Assisi, beatified on 15 April 1752. (5 January)
Stephen of Saint-Thibéry and Fortanerius (died 28 May 1242), inquisitors martyred at Avignonet in a mission to eradicate the Cathar heresy, beatified on 6 September 1866. (29 May)
Guido Pagnotelli da Cortona (c. 1187 - c. 1247), one of the first followers of St Francis of Assisi, beatified in 1583. (12 Jun)
Andrea Caccioli da Spello (30 November 1194 – 3 June 1254), the first priest to enter the Franciscans and served as one of the disciples of Francis of Assisi himself, beatified on 25 July 1738. (3 June)
Gualteri de Guimarães (died c. 1259), Portuguese priest, beatified on 17 December 1577.[38] (1 August)
Gandolfo da Binasco (Gandolfo Sacchi) (c. 1200 or 1201 - 3 April 1260), one of the first followers of St Francis of Assisi, beatified on 10 March 1881. (3 April)
Egidio d'Assisi (c. 1190 - 23 April 1262), early companion of Francis of Assisi, beatified on 4 July 1777. (23 April);
Benvenuto Mareni da Recanati (c. 1188 - 5 May 1269), professed religious, beatified on 17 September 1796. (5 May)
Giovanni da Penna San Giovanni (c. 1200 - c. 1270), one of the companions of St Francis of Assisi, beatified on 20 December 1806. (3 April)
Cristoforo di Romagna (c. 1172 - 31 October 1272), priest, beatified on 12 April 1905. (31 October)
Luca Belludi di Padova (between 1200 and 1210 – 17 February 1286), priest and friend of Saint Anthony of Padua, beatified on 18 May 1927. (17 February)
John Duns Scotus (born between 23 December 1265 and 17 March 1266 – 8 November 1308), Scottish-born philosopher and theologian of the High Middle Ages, beatified on 20 March 1993. (8 November);
John Forest (c. 1471 – 22 May 1538), martyred at Smithfield in London during the English Reformation, beatified on 29 December 1886. (22 May or 4 May);[48]
Patrick O'Hely (between 1543/46 - 31 August 1579), Bishop of Mayo martyred during the Protestant Reformation in Ireland, beatified on 27 September 1992. (20 June)
Conn O'Rourke (.c 1549 - 31 August 1579), priest martyred during the Protestant Reformation in Ireland, beatified on 27 September 1992. (20 June)
Nicolás Factor (29 June 1520 – 23 December 1583), priest and painter, beatified on 27 August 1786. (23 December).
Dermot O'Hurley (c. 1530 – 19 or 20 June 1584), Archbishop of Cashel martyred during the Protestant Reformation in Ireland, beatified on 27 September 1992. (20 June)
Pedro de Corpa and 4 Companions (died between 14 and 17 September 1597), Martyrs of Georgia during the Christianization of the United States, decree of martyrdom promulgated on 27 January 2025 and are currently awaiting beatification
Bedrich Bachstein and 13 Companions (died 15 February 1611), Martyrs of Prague during the Protestant Reformation in the Kingdom of Bavaria, beatified on 13 October 2012. (15 February);
Conor O'Devany (c. 1532 - 11 February 1612), Bishop of Down and Connor martyred during the Protestant Reformation in Ireland, beatified on 27 September 1992. (20 June)
Juan Santamarta and 15 Companions (died between 16 August 1618 to 3 September 1632) martyred in Japan, beatified on 7 July 1867. (12 September);[5]
Juan de Prado (c. 1563 – 24 May 1631), missionary martyred in Marrakesh, beatified on 24 May 1728. (24 May);
John Baptist Bullaker (Thomas Bullaker) (c. 1603 or 1604 - 12 October 1642), Martyr of the English Reformation, beatified on 22 November 1987. (4 May or 22 November)
Paul of Saint Magdalene (Henry Heath) (c. 1599 or 1600 - 17 April 1643), Martyr of the English Reformation, beatified on 22 November 1987. (4 May or 22 November)
Francis Bell (Arthur Bell) (13 January 1590 – 11 December 1643), Martyr of the English Reformation, beatified on 22 November 1987. (4 May or 22 November)
Martin of Saint Felix (John Woodcock) (c. 1603 - 7 August 1646), Martyr of the English Reformation, beatified on 22 November 1987. (4 May or 22 November)
John Kearney (c. 1619 - 11 March 1653), martyred during the Protestant Reformation in Ireland, beatified on 27 September 1992. (20 June)
Charles Meehan (c. 1640 - 12 August 1679), Martyr of the English Reformation, beatified on 22 November 1987. (4 May or 22 November)
Mati (Luigj) Paliq (20 February 1877 – 7 March 1913), Kosovan friar martyred during the Communist rule in Albania, beatified on 16 November 2024. (7 March)
Frédéric de Saint-Yves (Frédéric-Cornil Janssoone) (19 November 1838 – 4 August 1916), French-born friar who re-established the Order of Friars Minor in Canada, beatified on 25 September 1988. (5 August)
Jan (Narcyz) Turchan (19 September 1879 – 19 March 1942), martyred during the Nazi Occupation of Poland, beatified on 13 June 1999. (12 June)
Jan (Marcin) Oprzadek (4 March 1884 – 18 May 1942), martyred during the Nazi Occupation of Poland, beatified on 13 June 1999. (12 June)
Anastazy Jakub Pankiewicz (9 July 1882 – 20 May 1942), founder of the Antonian Sisters of Christ the King and martyred during the Nazi Occupation of Poland, beatified on 13 June 1999. (12 June)
Wojciech (Krystyn) Gondek (6 April 1909 – 23 July 1942), martyred during the Nazi Occupation of Poland, beatified on 13 June 1999. (12 June)
Jan (Brunon) Zembol (7 September 1905 – 21 August 1942), martyred during the Nazi Occupation of Poland, beatified on 13 June 1999. (12 June)
Vinçenc (Nikoll) Prennushiand 7 Companions (died between 4 March 1946 to 4 April 1954), martyred during the Communist rule in Albania, beatified on 5 November 2016. (5 November)
Gerard-Martin Cendrier and 3 Companions (died between 24 January to 26 April 1945), French clerics martyred by Nazis during World War II, decree of martyrdom promulgated on 20 June 2025 and are currently awaiting beatification
Gabriele Allegra (Giovanni Stefano Allegra) (26 December 1907 – 26 January 1976), missionary to China, biblical scholar, and translator of the Bible into the Chinese language, beatified on 29 September 2012. (26 January);
^Cavazos-González, OFM, Gilberto (2010). Greater than a Mother's Love: The Spirituality of Francis and Clare of Assisi, University of Scranton Press, p. xiv, 5, 11-12, 19, 21, 56, 65, 91, 110, 117; Micó, Julio, "Minorità" in Dizionario Francescano. Spiritualitภa cura di Ernesto Caroli, (2 ed) Padova: Messaggero di S. Antonio, 1995, p. 1115-1119.
Francis of Assisi (1982). Francis and Clare: The Complete Works. Classics of Western spirituality. Translated by Regis J. Armstrong and Ignatius C. Brady. New York: Paulist Press. ISBN978-0809124466. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
Merlo, Grado Giovanni (2009). In the Name of St. Francis: A History of the Friars Minor and Franciscanism until the Early Sixteenth Century. Translated by Robert J. Karris and Raphael Bonanno. Franciscan Institute Publications. ISBN978-1-57659-155-0.
Halevi, Masha (2012). "Between Faith and Science: Franciscan Archaeology in the Service of the Holy Places". Middle Eastern Studies. 48 (2): 249–267. doi:10.1080/00263206.2012.653139. S2CID144234605.
Schmucki, Oktavian (2000). "Die Regel des Johannes von Matha und die Regel des Franziskus von Assisi. Ähnlichkeiten und Eigenheiten. Neue Beziehungen zum Islam". In Cipollone, Giulio (ed.). La Liberazione dei 'Captivi' tra Cristianità e Islam: Oltre la Crociata e il Gihad: Tolleranza e Servizio Umanitario. Collectanea Archivi Vaticani. Vol. 46. Vatican City: Archivio Segreto Vaticano. pp. 219–244.
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One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Bihl, Michael (1909). "Order of Friars Minor". In Herbermann, Charles (ed.). Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 6. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
