A SHORT TEXT ABOUT FRANCISCANS

Abstract

Francis of Assisi (Assisi, 1181–1226) by real name – Giovanni Francesco Bernardone is the founder of the Franciscan Order or the Order of Friars Minor. He was the son of a merchant and a French noblewoman. In his youth he led a cheerful, bon vivant life. During the war with Perugia in 1202–1203, he fell into captivity where he became seriously ill. He then experiences profound psychological changes that find their expression in his new conception of religiosity.

After this experience, encouraged by night vision, he retreats into nature and solitude, and socializes with the poor, and dressed in a sack serves the lepers. His fellow citizens initially considered him a freak, even a lunatic, but his preaching about absolute evangelical poverty in an age of sharp class-economic differences in feudal society found supporters among the people and the poor. The number of Francis' penitential brothers grew more and more over time, and the holy poverty movement spread rapidly.

Pope Innocent III calls Francis before him and after receiving guarantees that the movement will respect all secular rights of the Church and unquestioningly submit to the papal authority approved of his actions, ie confirms in 1209 the establishment of a new – Franciscan order, whose official name is Ordo fratrum minorum (Order of Friars Minor).