Serve the Church

Chapter 12

Lesson 2

Mendicant OrdersMendicant Orders

These orders survived on the These orders survived on the charity of the laity, through charity of the laity, through begging.begging.

Order of friars minor Order of friars minor (Franciscans)(Franciscans) Founded by Saint Francis of Assisi.Founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. He lived a holy life of prayer and He lived a holy life of prayer and

served the poor and sick.served the poor and sick. Soon others gathered with him, Soon others gathered with him,

discarding wealth for the clothes of discarding wealth for the clothes of a beggar.a beggar.

Francis wrote a rule for the Friars Francis wrote a rule for the Friars Minor.Minor.

Saint ClareSaint Clare

Women were also attracted to Women were also attracted to this way of life.this way of life.

Saint Francis helped Saint Clare Saint Francis helped Saint Clare found a women’s community found a women’s community called the Poor Clares.called the Poor Clares.

They followed the Rule of Saint They followed the Rule of Saint Francis.Francis.

Saint DominicSaint Dominic

He founded the Order of Preachers He founded the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans).(the Dominicans).

They worked to convert heretics living They worked to convert heretics living in southern France.in southern France.

They lived simple lives preaching the They lived simple lives preaching the truth.truth.

They emphasized scholarly learning for They emphasized scholarly learning for their members so they could grow in their members so they could grow in the faith and preach it well.the faith and preach it well.

The greatest of the Dominicans was The greatest of the Dominicans was Saint Thomas Aquinas.Saint Thomas Aquinas.

Saint Thomas AquinasSaint Thomas Aquinas

He became a Dominican because he liked their He became a Dominican because he liked their simple life of poverty and study.simple life of poverty and study.

He joined under the objections of his family.He joined under the objections of his family. He became a teacher at the University of Paris.He became a teacher at the University of Paris. He based most of his writings on the Greek He based most of his writings on the Greek

philosopher Aristotle and his insights were philosopher Aristotle and his insights were based on the scripture.based on the scripture.

His writings still are an important source of His writings still are an important source of catholic theology.catholic theology.

He became a saint because of his love of God.He became a saint because of his love of God.

Saint Catherine of Saint Catherine of SienaSiena The Popes and the Kings of France had The Popes and the Kings of France had

a disagreement.a disagreement. This caused the Pope to move to This caused the Pope to move to

Avignon, France!Avignon, France! A devout laywoman, Saint Catherine A devout laywoman, Saint Catherine

persuaded the Pope to return to Rome.persuaded the Pope to return to Rome. She chose to live a life of prayer and She chose to live a life of prayer and

service to others, especially the sick.service to others, especially the sick. She is a Doctor of the Church.She is a Doctor of the Church.

The Great Western The Great Western SchismSchism During this time two men claimed to During this time two men claimed to

be Pope.be Pope. Saint Peter could only have one Saint Peter could only have one

successor.successor. This weakened the role of the Pope This weakened the role of the Pope

because no one knew who the Pope because no one knew who the Pope was.was.

By the time this was resolved, the By the time this was resolved, the Church’s unity was threatened.Church’s unity was threatened.

CarmelitesCarmelites

The beginning of the Carmelite Order dates back to The beginning of the Carmelite Order dates back to the eleventh century. A community of hermits living the eleventh century. A community of hermits living on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land took their on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land took their inspiration from the prophet Elijah and strove to live in inspiration from the prophet Elijah and strove to live in deep union with God. Due to increased European deep union with God. Due to increased European presence in the Holy Land during the Crusades, some presence in the Holy Land during the Crusades, some of the Carmelites traveled to Europe, and the order of the Carmelites traveled to Europe, and the order was officially approved by the second council of Lyons was officially approved by the second council of Lyons in 1247. Carmelites dedicate their lives to in 1247. Carmelites dedicate their lives to contemplation and union with God. Many of the contemplation and union with God. Many of the greatest mystics of the Church, such as Saint Teresa of greatest mystics of the Church, such as Saint Teresa of Avila, Saint John of the Cross, and Saint Therese of Avila, Saint John of the Cross, and Saint Therese of Lisieux were member of this Order.Lisieux were member of this Order.

The Middle Ages

What two new religious orders were founded during the Middle Ages and how did they differ from monastic orders?

Two new religious orders founded in the Middle Ages were the Order of Friars Minor (known today as the Franciscans) and the Order of Preachers (known today as the Dominicans). They differed from the previous monastic orders because they lived and relied upon the people for their needs.

Who is Saint Francis of Assisi?

St. Francis of Assisi was a wealthy, reckless Italian youth who had a powerful conversion to Christ. He gave up everything to live as a poor man and follow Jesus. He started the Franciscan Order as well as inspiring St. Clare to found a women’s branch, called the Poor Clares.

Who is Saint Dominic de Guzman?

St. Dominic de Guzman founded the Order of Preachers, known as he Dominican Order. Dominicans are a very scholarly order that is devoted to preaching. St. Dominic was sent to convert the Albigensians (heretics of that day) and promoted devotion to the Rosary.

Who is Saint Thomas Aquinas and what is his importance to the Church?St. Thomas Aquinas was an Italian

Dominican who was a brilliant philosopher and theologian. He is a doctor of the Church and was given the title “The Angelic Doctor” for his brilliant writings and great love of God and neighbor.

Who is St. Catherine of Siena?

St. Catherine was a holy Italian lay woman. She convinced the Pope, who at the time was living in Avignon, to return to Rome. She also left many spiritual writings and is a Doctor of the Church.