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The Franciscans are a group of related mendicant Christian religious orders, primarily within the Catholic Church. Founded in 1209 by Saint Francis of Assisi, these orders include the Order of Friars Minor, the Order of Saint Clare, and the Third Order of Saint Francis. They adhere to the teachings and spiritual disciplines of the founder and of his main associates and followers, such as Clare of Assisi, Anthony of Padua, and Elizabeth of Hungary. Several smaller Protestant Franciscan orders exist as well, notably in the Anglican and Lutheran traditions (e.g. the Community of Francis and Clare).

Francis began preaching around 1207 and travelled to Rome to seek approval from Pope Innocent III in 1209 to form a new religious order. The original Rule of Saint Francis approved by the Pope did not allow ownership of property, requiring members of the order to beg for food while preaching. The austerity was meant to emulate the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Franciscans travelled and preached in the streets while staying in church properties. Saint Clare, under Francis's guidance, founded the Poor Clares (Order of Saint Clare) of the Franciscans.

The extreme poverty required of members was relaxed in the final revision of the Rule in 1223. The degree of observance required of members remained a major source of conflict within the order, resulting in numerous secessions. The Order of Friars Minor, previously known as the "Observant" branch, is one of the three Franciscan First Orders within the Catholic Church, the others being the "Conventuals" (formed 1517) and "Capuchins" (1520). The Order of Friars Minor, in its current form, is the result of an amalgamation of several smaller orders completed in 1897 by Pope Leo XIII. The latter two, the Capuchin and Conventual, remain distinct religious institutes within the Catholic Church, observing the Rule of Saint Francis with different emphases. Conventual Franciscans are sometimes referred to as minorities or gGeyfriars because of their habit. In Poland and Lithuania, they are known as Bernardines, after Bernardino of Siena, although the term elsewhere refers to Cistercians instead.

The name of the original order, Ordo Fratrum Minorum (Friars Minor, literally 'Order of Lesser Brothers') stems from Francis of Assisi's rejection of extravagance. Francis was the son of a wealthy cloth merchant but gave up his wealth to pursue his faith more fully. He had cut all ties that remained with his family and pursued a life living in solidarity with his fellow brothers in Christ. Francis adopted the simple tunic worn by peasants as the religious habit for his order and had others who wished to join him do the same. Those who joined him became the original Order of Friars Minor.

First Order

The First Order or the Order of Friars Minor are commonly called simply the Franciscans. This order is a mendicant religious order of men, some of whom trace their origin to Francis of Assisi. Their official Latin name is the Ordo Fratrum Minorum. St. Francis thus referred to his followers as "Fraticelli", meaning "Little Brothers". Franciscan brothers are informally called friars or the Minorites.

The modern organization of the Friars Minor comprises three separate families or groups, each considered a religious order in its own right under its own minister General and a particular type of governance. They all live according to a body of regulations known as the Rule of St Francis.

The Order of Friars Minor, also known as the Observants, are most commonly simply called Franciscan friars, official name: Friars Minor (OFM).

The Order of Friars Minor Capuchin or simply Capuchins, official name: Friars Minor Capuchin (OFM Cap.).

The Conventual Franciscans or Minorites, official name: Friars Minor Conventual (OFM Conv.).

Second Order

The Second Order, most commonly called Poor Clares in English-speaking countries, consists of only one branch of religious sisters. The order is called the Order of St. Clare (OSC), but before 1263 they were called "The Poor Ladies," "The Poor Enclosed Nuns," and "The Order of San Damiano."

Third Order

The Franciscan third order, known as the Third Order of Saint Francis, has many men and women members, separated into two main branches:

The Secular Franciscan Order, OFS, originally known as the Brothers and Sisters of Penance or Third Order of Penance, try to live the ideals of the movement in their daily lives outside of religious institutes.

Members of the Third Order Regular (TOR) live in religious communities under the traditional religious vows. They grew out of the Secular Franciscan Order.

The 2013 Annuario Pontificio gave the following figures for the membership of the principal male Franciscan orders:.

• Order of Friars Minor (OFM): 2,212 communities; 14,123 members; 9,735 priests

• Franciscan Order of Friars Minor Conventual (OFM Conv.): 667 communities; 4,289 members; 2,921 priests

• Franciscan Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (OFM Cap.): 1,633 communities; 10,786 members; 7,057 priests

• Third Order Regular of Saint Francis (TOR): 176 communities; 870 members; 576 priests

The coat of arms, which is a universal symbol of Franciscans, "contains the Tau cross, with two crossed arms: Christ’s right hand with the nail wound and Francis’ left hand with the stigmata wound."

The Order of Friars Minor (the Franciscans, the Franciscan Order, or the Seraphic Order; postnominal abbreviation OFM) is a mendicant Catholic religious order founded in 1209 by Francis of Assisi. The order adheres to the teachings and spiritual disciplines of the founder and of his main associates and followers, such as Clare of Assisi, Anthony of Padua, and Elizabeth of Hungary, among many others. The Order of Friars Minor is the largest of the contemporary First Orders within the Franciscan movement.

Francis began preaching around 1207 and travelled to Rome to seek approval of his order from Pope Innocent III in 1209. The original Rule of Saint Francis, approved by the pope, disallowed property ownership, requiring members of the order to beg for food while preaching. The austerity was meant to emulate the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Franciscans travelled and preached in the streets while boarding in church properties. The extreme poverty required of members was relaxed in the final revision of the Rule in 1223. The degree of observance required of members remained a primary source of conflict within the order, resulting in numerous secessions.

The Order of Friars Minor, previously known as the Observant branch (postnominal abbreviation OFM Obs.), is one of the three Franciscan First Orders within the Catholic Church, the others being the Capuchins (postnominal abbreviation OFM Cap.) and Conventuals (postnominal abbreviation OFM Conv). In its current form, the Order of Friars Minor is the result of an amalgamation of several smaller Franciscan orders (e.g. Alcantarines, Recollects, Reformanti, etc.), completed in 1897 by Pope Leo XIII. The Capuchin and Conventual remain distinct religious institutes within the Catholic Church, observing the Rule of Saint Francis with different emphases. Franciscans are sometimes referred to as minorites or greyfriars because of their habit. In Poland and Lithuania, they are known as Bernardines, after Bernardino of Siena, although the term elsewhere refers rather to Cistercians.

L'ordre des Frères mineurs (O.F.M.), en latin : Ordo Fratrum Minorum, dont les membres sont couramment appelés franciscains, est un ordre religieux catholique apparu en Italie en 1210 sous l'impulsion de saint François d'Assise.

À l'imitation du Christ, ses membres tentent de vivre une vie de pauvreté et de simplicité évangélique. Insistant sur l'aspect de fraternité dans leur vie, les franciscains ont choisi de s'appeler « frères ». Aujourd'hui, la majorité d'entre eux sont prêtres.

Quatre penseurs ont marqué l'histoire de cet ordre mendiant : saint Bonaventure de Bagnoregio, Roger Bacon, Jean Duns Scot et Guillaume d'Ockham.

Over the centuries, the Franciscan monks have taken various names: Franciscans, Capuchins, Conventuals, Observants, Reformed, Discalced, Alcantarins, and Récollets.

Les moines Franciscains prirent divers noms au cours des siècles: Franciscains, Capucins, Conventuels, Observants, Réformés, Déchaussés, Alcantarins et Récollets. 

The Franciscans are a group of related mendicant Christian religious orders within the Catholic Church. Founded in 1209 by Italian Catholic friar Francis of Assisi, these orders include three independent orders for men (the Order of Friars Minor being the most significant contemporary male order), orders for women religious such as the Order of Saint Clare, and the Third Order of Saint Francis open to male and female members. They adhere to the teachings and spiritual disciplines of the founder and his main associates and followers, such as Clare of Assisi, Anthony of Padua, and Elizabeth of Hungary. Several smaller Protestant Franciscan orders exist, notably in the Anglican and Lutheran traditions (e.g. the Community of Francis and Clare).

Francis began preaching around 1207 and travelled to Rome to seek approval from Pope Innocent III in 1209 to form a new religious order. The original Rule of Saint Francis approved by the Pope did not allow property ownership, requiring members of the order to beg for food while preaching. The austerity was meant to emulate the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Franciscans travelled and preached in the streets while staying in church properties. Under Francis's guidance, Clare of Assisi founded the Poor Clares (Order of Saint Clare) of the Franciscans.

The extreme poverty required of members was relaxed in the final revision of the Rule in 1223. The degree of observance required of members remained a primary source of conflict within the order, resulting in numerous secessions. The Order of Friars Minor, previously known as the "Observant" branch, is one of the three Franciscan First Orders within the Catholic Church, the others being the "Conventuals" (formed 1517) and "Capuchins" (1520). The Order of Friars Minor, in its current form, is the result of an amalgamation of several smaller orders completed in 1897 by Pope Leo XIII. The latter two, the Capuchin and Conventual, remain distinct religious institutes within the Catholic Church, observing the Rule of Saint Francis with different emphases. Conventual Franciscans are sometimes called minorites or greyfriars because of their habit. In Poland and Lithuania, they are known as Bernardines, after Bernardino of Siena, although the term elsewhere refers to Cistercians.

L'histoire des ordres franciscains retrace l'origine et le développement des trois ordres du mouvement franciscain. Fondé sur la pensée et les actions de François d'Assise, ce mouvement monachique est connu pour les idéaux de pauvreté et de fraternité qu'il véhicule. Si les franciscains sont principalement vus à travers l'ordre principal des frères mineurs ou celui des capucins, des ordres féminins et un ordre laïque appartiennent également à ce courant. L'ordre des frères mineurs apparaît en 1209. Son développement est très rapide et le mouvement devient l'un des courants monachiques les plus influents au Moyen Âge. Si l'ordre des frères mineurs a progressivement perdu la place dominante qu'il occupait au Moyen Âge, le mouvement franciscain reste vivace à travers les époques, notamment grâce à la fondation de nouveaux ordres, et continue d'influencer profondément la société. Par exemple, l'abbé Pierre et le père Joseph, dont les actions ont profondément marqué la société française moderne, furent tous deux capucins. 

Convent of Saint Clare

This convent became the home of Saint Clare of Assisi and her followers in 1212. Work was carried out to provide buildings for this religious community. The Sisters stayed until Clare's death in 1253, when it was thought too dangerous to remain, and they were exchanged with the Canons of San Rufino for the chapel of San Giorgio. The convent is open free of charge to the public. Downstairs off the abbey is the refectory in its original state. A fresco in the refectory recalls the visit of Pope Gregory IX when he asked Clare to bless the loaves, which is said to have resulted in crosses appearing on the loaves. Upstairs is St. Clare's Oratory, where the Blessed Sacrament was kept, and next to this is the dormitory. A cross marks the place where Clare died on 11 August 1253

San Damiano is a church with a monastery near Assisi, Italy. Built in the 12th century, it was the first monastery of the Order of Saint Clare, where Saint Clare built her community.

The church has a hut-shaped façade; the entrance is preceded by a short portico with three round arcades supported by brickwork pillars. Above the central arch is a circular rose window. The interior has a single nave with ogival barrel vaults. The right wall is home to a rectangular chapel with, at the altar, a wooden crucifix executed by Innocenzo da Petralia in 1637. The nave ends with a deep apse, a modern stone altar, a Baroque wooden tabernacle, and a choir.

According to Franciscan sources, a miracle in which Saint Francis' heard an exhortation from Christ occurred in 1205 in this church:

One day, I was out in the countryside to meditate. Finding himself near San Damiano, which threatened ruin, old as it was, driven by the impulse of the Holy Spirit, he entered to pray. Kneeling in prayer before the image of the Crucifix, he was invaded with great spiritual consolation and, as he affixed his tearful eyes on the cross of the Lord, with the ears of his body he heard a voice descend to him from the cross and say three times Francis, go and repair my church which, as you see, is all in ruins!. On hearing that voice, Francis remained astonished and trembling. Being in the church alone and perceiving the power of divine language in his heart, he felt kidnapped by his senses. Finally returning to his senses, he girded himself to obey and concentrated everything on the mission to repair the church's walls. However, the divine word was referring principally to the Church, which Christ purchased by his blood, as the Holy Spirit had made him understand and how he later revealed to his fellow brothers.

Afterwards, Saint Francis took action to physically repair the structure of the San Damiano church, although he eventually realized that God's message to him was to restore the entire Catholic Church as a whole rather than literally repair one stone structure. The San Damiano cross, which was said to speak to Francis, currently hangs in the Basilica of Saint Clare in Assisi.

Other artworks in the church include a 14th-century Madonna with Child between Sts. Damian and Rufinus fresco, located in the apse.

Bernard of Quintavalle (died 1241) was the first disciple of St. Francis of Assisi. Bernard was declared the Minorum Ordinis prima planula, the "First fruits of the Minor Orders." He accompanied Francis on several missionary journeys and served as Minister Provincial in Spain. 

Bernard, son of Quintavalle and Berardello, was a well-to-do young noble from Assisi. He received his JUD at Bologna University. His family's house still stands in Assisi today.

Bernard received his evangelical calling in the spring of 1208 when he and Francis had recourse to the Sortes Sanctorum in the church of San Nicolò. After hearing Mass and praying until terce,

...the priest, at the request of St. Francis, took the missal and, having made the sign of the most holy cross, opened it three times in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. At the first opening, they found that saying which Christ spake in the Gospel to the young man which inquired the way of perfection: 'If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast and give to the poor and follow Me.' At the second opening, they found that saying which Christ spake to the Apostles, when He sent them forth to preach: 'Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor scrip, nor shoes, nor money'; intending thereby to teach them that they ought to set all their hope of living upon God, and to turn all their thoughts to preaching the Holy Gospel. At the third opening of the missal, they found that saying which Christ spake: 'If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me'.

Bernard sold everything he had and went to the Square of St. George, where, assisted by Francis, he gave everything to widows, orphans, prisoners, monasteries, hospitals, and pilgrims.

In 1211, Francis tasked Bernard with preaching to the worldly and wealthy residents of Bologna. Upon first entering Bologna, because of his appearance, he was mocked and abused as a thief or deserter. Still, after showing Francis' Rule to the local magistrate, the people's attitude changed. Bernard subsequently asked Francis to send someone to replace him at Bologna lest he be tempted to pride due to the honour and respect shown to him. Francis then sent Bernard to Lombardy. He was then sent to Florence.

After the family of St Clare tried to forcibly remove her from the Benedictine convent of San Paulo near Bastia, Bernard accompanied her to the Benedictine nuns of the convent of Convento di Sant'Angelo di Panzo. In 1213, he accompanied Francis on a missionary journey through Spain, but Francis directed Bernard to remain behind at one point to tend to a poor invalid. When they met again a year later, the sick man had recovered. Francis and Bernard continued through Aragon and Catalonia, Roussillon to Montpellier, and Piedmont back to his chapel at Santa Maria dei Angeli in Assisi.

He subsequently became Minister Provincial in Spain until 1219, when John Parenti succeeded him.

Together with Angelo Tancredi and Leo of Assisi, Bernard remained close to Francis, especially during the last two years of Francis' life. St Francis imparted a special blessing to him, although Thomas of Celano reserves this blessing for Elias.

After Francis's death, Bernard had to take Vicar General Elias to task for riding in a large horse-drawn coach, which, to Bernard, was not in accord with the Rule.

Bernard died around 1241 and is buried close to the tomb of St Francis in the Basilica of St Francis in Assisi.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_of_Quintavalle

Bernard de Quintavalle

Bernard de Quintavalle (né vers 1175 à Quintavalle et mort vers 1241 à Assise) est l'un des premiers disciples, et l'un des plus fidèles et des plus proches collaborateurs de François d'Assise.

Issu d'une riche famille patricienne d'Assise, Bernard devient avec Pierre de Catane l'un des premiers compagnons de François d'Assise. Sa famille possède de nombreux biens et il est qualifié de dominus (seigneur) avant sa conversion. Son milieu social d'origine est certainement plus élevé que celui de François.

Bernard distribue son patrimoine aux pauvres, comme le décrit Dante Alighieri dans son Paradis (XI, 79-81) : « La concorde [de François et de la Pauvreté] inspiraient des pensers si saints que le vénérable Bernard le premier se déchaussa, et courut à une si grande paix, et courant il lui semblait être lent. » Dès 1209, il se rend à Florence, sa première expédition hors de l'Ombrie, certainement avec le frère Gilles. En 1210, Bernard dirige le groupe de frères venu demander l'approbation de la première règle de François à Rome. Il est ensuite envoyé en mission à Bologne et à Florence, puis accompagne François en Espagne en 1214. Bernard meurt à Assise en 1241 et est enterré dans la basilique Saint-François d'Assise.

Il est considéré comme spirituellement le plus proche disciple de François d'Assise.