A friar is a member of one of the mendicant orders founded since the
thirteenth century; the term distinguishes the mendicants' itinerant
apostolic character, exercised broadly under the jurisdiction of a superior
general, from the older monastic orders' allegiance to a single monastery
formalized by their vow of stability. The most significant orders of friars
are the Dominicans, Franciscans, Augustinians and Carmelites.
Definition Friars are different from monks in that
they are called to live the evangelical counsels in service to society, rather
than through cloistered asceticism and devotion. Whereas monks live in a
self-sufficient community, friars work among laypeople and are supported by
donations or other charitable support. A monk or nun makes their vows and commits
to a particular community in a particular place. Friars commit to a
community spread across a wider geographical area known as a province,
and so they will typically move around, spending time in different houses of the
community within their province. Etymology
The English term Friar is derived from the Norman French word frere, from the
Latin frater, which was widely used in the Latin New Testament to refer to
members of the Christian community. "Fray" is sometimes used in former
Spanish colonies such as the Philippines or the American Southwest as a title,
such as in Fray Juan de Torquemada. Orders
In the Roman Catholic Church, there are two classes of orders known as friars,
or mendicant orders: the four "great orders" and the so-called "lesser
orders". = Major Orders =
The four great orders were mentioned by the Second Council of Lyons, and are:
The Carmelites, founded c. 1155. They are also known as the "White Friars"
because of the white cloak which covers their brown habit. They received papal
approval from Honorius III in 1226 and later by Innocent IV in 1247. The
Carmelites were founded as a purely contemplative order, but became
mendicants in 1245. There are two types of Carmelites, those of the Ancient
Observance and those of the Discalced Carmelites, founded by St. Teresa of
Avila in the 16th century. The Franciscans, founded in 1209. They
are also known as the "Friars Minor". The Franciscans were founded by St.
Francis of Assisi and received oral papal approval by Innocent III in 1209
and formal papal confirmation by Honorius III in 1223. Today the Friars
Minor is composed of three branches: the Order of Friars Minor, Order of Friars
Minor Capuchin and the Order of Friars Minor Conventual wearing grey or black
habits. The Dominicans, founded c. 1216. They
are also known as the "Friar Preachers", or the "Black Friars", from the black
mantle worn over their white habit. The Dominicans were founded by St. Dominic
and received papal approval from Honorius III in 1216 as the "Ordo
Praedicatorum" under the Rule of St. Augustine. They became a mendicant order
in 1221. The Augustinians, founded in 1244 and
enlarged in 1256. They are also known as the "Hermits of St. Augustine", or the
"Austin Friars". Their rule is based on the writings of Augustine of Hippo. The
Augustinians were assembled from various groups of hermits as a mendicant order
by Pope Innocent IV in 1244. Additional groups were added by Alexander IV in
1256. = Lesser orders =
Some of the lesser orders are: the Trinitarians, established in 1198
the Mercedarians, established in 1218 the Servites, established in 1240
the Minims, established in 1474 the Third Order Regular of St. Francis,
a branch of the Third Order of St. Francis, part of the Franciscan Order
established in 1447 the Discalced Carmelites, established in
1568 the Order of Augustinian Recollects,
established in 1598 through the Chapter of Toledo
the Discalced Trinitarians, established in 1599
the Order of Penance, established in 1781
Uses by other Christian traditions Orders of friars exist in other
Christian traditions, including the Order of Lutheran Franciscans, the Order
of Ecumenical Franciscans and the Order of Lesser Sisters and Brothers. In the
Anglican Communion there are also a number of mendicant groups such as the
Anglican Friars Preachers and The Society of St. Francis.
Other name use Several high schools, as well as
Providence College, use friars as their mascot. The MLB's San Diego Padres have
the Swinging Friar. The University of Michigan's oldest a
cappella group is a male octet known as The Friars.
The University of Pennsylvania has a senior honor society known as Friars.
See also Brother
Priesthood Dervish
Sadhu Bhikkhu
Notes