medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
An understanding of the term "fratres minores" is essential to comprehending the intentio of Francis of Assisi and his early friars. That intentio is best found in what is alternately called "the Early Rule" or "the First Rule" or the "Regula non bullata" or "the Rule of 1221". This text - a magnificent though sprawling document - gives witness to the gradual evolution of the friars' intention from 1208-1221 (if not slightly beyond), before the introduction of the more juridical Rule of 1223.
In the Early Rule, most notably chapters 7, 8 and 9, is to be found the raw material for the development of the Franciscan charism. That charism has everything to do with the friars' choice to place themselves among the minores of society (i.e., the poor - in the broadest sense of the term in the Middle Ages - and vulnerable of society). Hence: the Franciscan vocation has everything to do with "social location" - where and with whom one chooses to live (and why). Furthermore and particularly through Francis' own encounter with lepers, he had come early on in his conversion process to the cardinal insight that all men and women were fratres et sorores, brothers and sisters one to another, each and all created by the same Creator God, each with the same dignity and respect due all creatures of God. This insight into the universal human fraternity, where all such creatures are fratres, represents the second - of not the first - critical component of the original Franciscan charism. Indeed, it is because of this latter component that he and his brothers chose to live among those whose innate dignity was not recognized or affirmed by medieval society - the minores.
A succinct overview of these ideas - if you will allow me - can be found in an article tat I (re)published recently on the matter: "Hermitage or Marketplace: the Search for an Authentic Franciscan locus in the World" in: True Followers of Justice [Spirit and Life Series, 10], St. Bonaventure University: Franciscan Institute Publications, 2000.
Michael F. Cusato, O.F.M.
The Franciscan Institute
@St. Bonaventure University
St. Bonaventure, New York 14778
USA
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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Ave, Sapientes....
When the Franciscan order was founded in the thirteenth century, it began
life as the Friars Minor (Ordo Fratrum Minorum). What, praytell, is the
origin of the designation "minor"? In particular, did this description
come from St. Francis himself; and, if so, was it meant to denote humility?
--Christopher
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