Friar facts for kids

A group of friars; young members of the Augustinian Recollects at the Monastery of Marcilla, Navarre

Friars are a special kind of monk who live a simple life and serve their local community. Unlike some monks who stay mostly within a monastery, friars often go out into towns and cities to help people and share their beliefs. They focus on living simply and relying on others for support, which is why they are sometimes called "mendicant" orders.

Friar Orders

There are two main types of friar groups, also known as mendicant orders: the "great orders" and the "lesser orders."

The Four Great Orders

The four great orders were recognized by a big church meeting in 1274. They are:

• The Dominicans: Founded around 1215 by Saint Dominic. They are also known as the "Friar Preachers" because they focus on teaching and preaching. People sometimes call them the "Black Friars" because of the black cloak they wear over their white clothes. They became a mendicant (begging) order in 1221.

Conventual Franciscans in their grey habits

• The Franciscans: Started in 1209 by St. Francis of Assisi. They are known as the "Friars Minor," meaning "Lesser Brothers," or the "Grey Friars." St. Francis wanted his followers to live very simply, helping the poor and sick. Their order was officially approved by the Pope in 1223.

• The Carmelites: Began around 1155. They are sometimes called the "White Friars" because they wear a white cloak over their brown clothes. The Carmelites originally focused on quiet prayer and contemplation. However, they became a mendicant order in 1245, meaning they also went out to serve communities. There are two main branches: the Calced and Discalced Carmelites.

• The Augustinians: Formed in 1255. They are also known as the "Hermits of St. Augustine" or the "Austin Friars." Their way of life is based on the teachings of Augustine of Hippo, an important early Christian thinker. They were brought together from different groups of hermits and became a mendicant order with papal approval in 1255.

The Lesser Orders

Many other friar orders were established later. Some of these "lesser orders" include:

• The Minims: Started in 1474.
• The Conventual Franciscans: Established in 1517.
• The Third Order Regular of St. Francis: Formed in 1521.
• The Capuchins: Began in 1525.
• The Discalced Carmelites: Established in 1568.
• The Discalced Trinitarians: Formed in 1599.
• The Order of Penance: Established in 1781.

See also

In Spanish: Fraile para niños