Friar

From Free net encyclopedia

A friar is a member of a religious mendicant order of men. This term is particularly appropriate for members of these four orders: Augustinians, Carmelites, Dominicans, and Franciscans. Friars differ from monks in that they are called to a life of poverty in service to a community, rather than cloistered asceticism and devotion. Though Theravada Buddhist bhikkus who live a monastic life are generally called "monks," "friars" may be a more apt English translation.

Its etymology is from Old French frere (brother) which in turn comes from Latin frater. St. Francis of Assisi called his followers fratres minores, which G. K. Chesterton translates more colloquially as "little brothers".

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