大象传媒

Different Mendicant orders

Franciscans

The order was founded in 1209 by St Francis of Assisi. St Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of:

  • animals

St Francis was born to wealthy parents and lived a comfortable life. Later in his life he his inheritance and family in order to dedicate his life to helping the poor.

The order includes the:

  • Order of Friars Minor
  • Order of Saint Clare (known as the Poor Clare鈥檚)
  • Third Order of Saint Francis

Rule of St Francis

Franciscans follow the Rule of St Francis which sets out how they should live. Their main mission is to live as Christ did and to live the Gospel.

One of the first rules set by St Francis was that his followers were to live lives of total poverty with no possessions. This rule was later relaxed slightly in 1223, when it became clear that having no possessions at all was unrealistic.

Franciscans are not classed as or called monks, but rather . They will often refer to each other as brother or sister, even though they are not related. They live in . These are different from monasteries, as they will be central to the community and may be similar to a house. Mendicant orders tend to live in the community rather than separate from it.

FounderSt Francis of Assisi.
MottoPax et bonum (which translates as) peace and the good.
ClothingBrown habit with a white cord and brown sandals OR Grey/black habit.
Key characteristicsFollow the rule of St Francis. Live the Gospel. Focus on helping the needy and less fortunate. Live and work as part of a brotherhood.
Founder
St Francis of Assisi.
Motto
Pax et bonum (which translates as) peace and the good.
Clothing
Brown habit with a white cord and brown sandals OR Grey/black habit.
Key characteristics
Follow the rule of St Francis. Live the Gospel. Focus on helping the needy and less fortunate. Live and work as part of a brotherhood.

Dominicans

The is a mendicant religious order that was established by St Dominic in 1216. They follow the rule of St Augustine, but have an emphasis on study and education. The focus for study was so that teachings could be combated by the Church. St Thomas Aquinas is one of the most notable Dominicans.

FounderSt Dominic of Caleruega.
MottoLaudare, Benedicere, Praedicare (which translates as) to praise, to bless, to preach.
ClothingWhite habit with a black cappa (cape).
Key characteristicsFollow the rule of St Augustine. Focus on education. Four pillars of religious life - preaching, prayer, study, and community.
Founder
St Dominic of Caleruega.
Motto
Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare (which translates as) to praise, to bless, to preach.
Clothing
White habit with a black cappa (cape).
Key characteristics
Follow the rule of St Augustine. Focus on education. Four pillars of religious life - preaching, prayer, study, and community.

Carmelites

differ from other religious orders as they do not have a religious founder.

The Carmelites had already settled on in the 1200s. The chapel that was central to the order was dedicated to Mary, the Virgin Mother of God.

Over the years the order formed into a and they St Albert for a rule of life and for a 鈥榝ormula for living鈥 from him. This founded the basis of everyday life for Carmelites and the rules that they still follow today.

The Carmelite Rule

The Carmelite Rule states that a Carmelite must live a life in allegiance to Jesus Christ - how, pure in heart and stout in conscience, must be unswerving in the service of the Master.

The Carmelite Monastery of the Holy Spirit and Our Lady of Peace

The Carmelite Monastery of the Holy Spirit and Our Lady of Peace is situated in Dolgellau, north Wales. It was established in 1929 and is the only Carmelite monastery in Wales. There are currently 15 sisters who live and work there.

FounderNo single founder.
MottoZelo zelatus sum pro Domino Deo exercituum which is from the First Book of Kings 19:10. It means "with zeal have I been; zealous for the Lord; God of hosts".
ClothingBrown habit and white cloak.
Key characteristicsFollow the rule of St Albert. Focus on service to others, contemplation and prayer. Use Mary and Elijah as models of faith.
Founder
No single founder.
Motto
Zelo zelatus sum pro Domino Deo exercituum which is from the First Book of Kings 19:10. It means "with zeal have I been; zealous for the Lord; God of hosts".
Clothing
Brown habit and white cloak.
Key characteristics
Follow the rule of St Albert. Focus on service to others, contemplation and prayer. Use Mary and Elijah as models of faith.