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The Order of Friars Minor Conventual

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The Order of Friars Minor Conventual is a Catholic religious order founded by St. Francis of Assisi under the name of Friars Minor. From its earliest times the word conventual was added to this name. There are different theories regarding the origin of the term "conventual," including:

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  • Pope Innocent IV decreed (Bull "Cum tamquam veri", 5 April 1250) that Franciscan churches that house convents may be referred to as Conventual churches. It has been suggested that the term "Conventual" was initially used to describe the religious individuals living within these convents.

  • Others, however, assert that the name conventual was used to distinguish the friars living in large convents from those who lived a more solitary life in hermitages.

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From the moment of its foundation, according to the will of our Father St. Francis, the order places great emphasis on the value of fraternity. As members of this family, we participate together in the activities and responsibilities of our community, fostering a shared life and purpose. The friars have diverse roles and responsibilities within their ministry. They may serve as parish priests, chaplains, educators in schools, hospital administrators, or aid the poor. However, their range of duties extends beyond these examples.

 

The Order is founded on religious profession, through which, the friars dedicate themselves to living a life of perfect charity as guided by the Gospel. This commitment goes beyond ordinary means of sanctification and is expressed through the public vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. By these vows, the friars are consecrated to God through the ministry of the Church, and by the observance of fraternity, the rule, and constitutions. Friars are definitively incorporated into the Order by their profession of solemn vows.

Franciscan Friars Conventual

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The Order of Friars Minor Conventual

Registered Charity

No: 249881

The Order of Friars Minor Conventual
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