Commonly known as the Conventuals, Conventual Franciscans, Minorites, or Grey Friars (for the gray color of their robes), the Order of Friars Minor Conventual are a successive branch of the Catholic Order of Friars Minor, which was founded by Saint Francis of Assisi in 1209. The Conventuals were particularly interested in spreading the ideals of Saint Francis throughout the urban social order of the Middle Ages, settling in the urban slums, suburbs or medieval neighborhoods outside of the city walls, where the poorest resided. In London, the Conventuals first settled in what was known as Stinking Lane. As the suburbs were often the location of hospitals, the friars were often involved in caring for the sick. They helped to construct sturdier buildings, replacing the huts that many people lived in. They also built churches and hospitals. The concentration by the Conventuals on the cities split the Franciscan Order into those who preferred the traditional Franciscan life of meditation in rural areas and those, like the Conventuals, who were interested in living amongst the urban poor. The latter group were first known as the Friars of the Community, but they came to be known as the Fratres Conventuales by 1250, although their official title was Fratres Minores until 1517, when they became identified as Fratres Minores Conventuales, or the Friars Minor Conventual, as they are now. The Conventuals did not remain at the sites that had been traditionally associated with the Franciscans, but sought to take the ideals of Saint Francis to the far reaches of the Church. The To a large extent, Conventual Franciscans lived in large group homes surrounded by poverty, and used their skills and abilities to help people to deal with the hardships and injustices that were the lot of the poor. Three saints who are specifically associated with the Order of Friars Minor Conventual are Joseph of Cupertino, Francis Anthony Fasani, and Maximilian Kolbe.
Recommended Resources
Conventual Franciscan Friars, Province of Our Lady of Consolation
Conventual Franciscan Friars arrived in the United States in 1852, where they served German-speaking immigrants around Galveston, Texas. Later, they migrated to the Midwest and the East Coast. The Province of Our Lady of Consolation was formed to serve the Order in the Midwest of the United States. Its history, leadership, ministries, and vocations are set forth, along with a schedule of retreats and other events.
https://franciscansusa.org/
The founders of the Franciscan Order and the Order of Friars Minor Conventual are identified, with a history of the beginnings of the Roman Catholic movements, the vows that Conventuals take in community, and an overview of its ministries. Becoming a Franciscan Conventual is discussed, including its formation process, and a schedule of vocation retreats are included, and the U.S. provinces of the Order are posted.
https://www.franciscans.org/
Maintained by the Vocation Director for the Western United States Province of the Conventual Franciscans, the site discusses the type of life that is lived by members of the Order of Friars Conventual in the United States, the Order’s formation process, its ministries and locations, as well as a calendar of upcoming programs and events. A biography of Saint Francis of Assisi and other study texts may be ordered from the site.
http://franciscandiscernment.org/
Franciscan Friars of the Renewal
The Community of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal was established in 1987 by eight Capuchin friars on the shores of the South Bronx. A history of their work in New York, on their residence as well as with the poor, their evangelization efforts, fraternal life, and prayer life are posted. Friaries within the United States are identified, and an overview of vocations within the Order, a gallery of photographs, video, and an online store are included.
http://franciscanfriars.com/
Order of Friars Minor Conventual Novitiate
The program of the novitiate includes private and communal prayer, in-house and outside classes, workshops and seminars, fraternity, manual labor, and other activities in line with the novitiate stage of formation. Each of these steps are discussed, and current novices are introduced, along with the formation team. Monthly blogs are included, and news, announcements, and contacts are posted to the site.
http://www.franciscannovitiate.org/
Our Lady of the Angels Province, Franciscan Friars Conventual
A history of the Franciscans, who were also known as the Grey Friars, is presented, as well as that of the Order of Friars Conventual, and its work in the United States. Profiles of friars in the Our Lady of the Angels Province are included, along with its ministries, locations, and vocations. Franciscan and Marian prayers are featured, and contributions may be made through the site.
http://www.olaprovince.org/
