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Definition:
The Franciscans are one of the principle monastic orders of the Roman Catholic Church.
They were founded by St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226). Francis came from a wealthy
family, but he gave it all up to live a life of extreme poverty and hardship by following
the gospel example of Jesus as literally and closely as he possibly could. He later
became an important figure among any who valued nature or the environment
because he tried to live as a "brother" with all of creation - calling animals, the moon,
and even fire itself his "brother."
The Franciscan order has generally been characterized by rigid proverty and the collective ownership of very few material possessions. But even in Francis' lifetime there was a tension between the ideal of life of poverty and the practical realities which required some form of material stability. Following the ideal of poverty may be possible for a couple of individuals, but not for an institution - and his followers were becoming an institution.
Francis became the first person recorded to experience stigmata - mystially produced wounds which mirrored the same wounds suffered by Christ while being crucified.
One of the well-known Franciscan theologians was Saint Bonaventure (c. 1217-74). Originally born Giovanni di Fidanza, he entered the Franciscan order in 1238 or 1243. Like his contemporary Thomas Aquinas, he worked to integrate Aristotle's works with traditional Christian faith. In the 16th century, Bonaventure was declared a Doctor of the Church because of the importance of his works.
Spiritual Franciscans
One group, originally known as Zelanti and then latter simply called the "Spirituals" objected to the growing worldliness of the order and insisted upon unequivocal obedience to the original rule created by Francis - particularly the principles of absolute poverty and not owning any property.
Because the authorities of the Franciscan order did not accept ideas, they asked different popes to mediate the dispute. Spirituals tried to ask to be separated and allowed to create their own, new order - but the popes refused and condemned those who refused to obey their superiors. In 1317, Pope John I had a number of them turned over to the Inquisition which burned four.
In 1322 on chapter of the Fanciscan order declared that it was a valid theological opinion to believe that Jesus Christ and the Apostles did not own anything of their own, a position which was not exactly that of the Spirituals but which was very close nevertheless. John I denounced this move and issued a bull declaring that officials in the Church had a right to own poperty and that the Apostles did indeed own their own personal possessions.
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Related Resources:
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Further Reading:
Francis of Assisi: A Revolutionary Life
Another biography of Francis of Assisi? So many have already been written, what is the point of another one - and why would it be of any interest to skeptics and nonbelievers? Unlike most who write biographies of St. Francis, Adrian House deliberately writes both for religious and irreligious people. St. Francis was among the least dogmatic of Saints, and did more to try and live by Christian ideals than anyone else; his life thus serves as a counter-point to what Christians today actually do. Read Review...Salvation: Scenes from the Life of St. Francis
Novelist Valerie Martin describes the life of St. Francis of Assisi by using short, vivid scenes rather than traditional narration. Martin, who is not Catholic, not particularly religious, and not a believer in miracles tells an interesting story with real ramifications for Christianity - just as did the life of St. Francis himself. Read Review...
