Hist-Friars Minor -1- AN OVERVIEW OF FRANCISCAN HISTORY ‘THE FIRST ORDER OF SAINT FRANCIS (1182-1964) Beginnings Francis was the real rule. As the Order grew in numbers, so did its problems. Learned friars, the superficial grasp of Francis' ideals on the part of some, and Francis own realization that he could not legislate an ideal - are all factors that culminated in the Rule of 1223, approved by Honorius IIT. : 1226-124. Factions already begin forming. Causes are several; but the root cause seems to have been the interpretation of the Rule, particularly with regard to poverty. Three parties arise: (1) the Zelanti (zealots) who opted for the prim- itive life and a literal observance of Francis’ ideals; (2) the Relaxati (laxists) who accepted mitigations; and (3) the Fratres de Communitate (moderates), who supported a more legalistic approach, with less literal poverty and a more organized apostolate. ‘The generalate of Brother Elias (1232-1239) was full of interest, not to say intrigue. He himself was a man of several colors; and to him applies that enigmatic expression: he had a "chequered career." Inspite of his Personal lax life and his high-handed methods of governing without taking counsel from his ministers provincial, Elias provided a strong leadership. He completed the Basilica of St, Francis, and fostered missions and study. Because of his administrative independence, he was deposed in.1239, Haymo. of Faversham was General, 1239-1244, He is responsible for commissioning the first interpretation of the Rule, called the Exposition of the Four Masters. Innocent IV, in 1245, with Ordinem Vestrum was following the lead of Gregory IX's Quo elongati (1230) with regard to poverty. Innocent reserved Proprietorship to the Holy See, but allowed recourse to money through trustees for the sick, for pressing needs, and even for the convenience of the friars. Poverty and its interpretation is the perennial problem. 106Wist-Friars Minor -2~ 1244-1274 Grescentius of Jesi (general: 1244-1247) kept the Zelantd in check, wehn of Parma (general: 1247-1257) visited provinces with great fraternal zeal and really desired to renew the friars in thelr calling. However, he Geveloped Joachinist tendencies and was asked to resign his'offing” Bonaventure vas elected general, at the suggestion of Bl. John of corms grits office lasted till he died in 1274. It is, perhaps, difricult foundee etimate the importance of this man, who has been called the sevcad Sgunger of the Order. He knew the spirit and the ideals of Frasete; aca yaigtz nis oun heart and Life, he combined happily both sanctity and learning ang tare combination of true wisdom. Personification of the bese in semen seaene te was able to achieve a balance between Francie’ ideale and the teal, criti needs of his day. The General Constitutions of Narbonne, 1260,acc chiefly his work; they became a model for later legislation. 1274-1325: Zhe Zelanti, now known as the Spirituals, began to oppose more strongly the Conmunity-party. Developments almost need to be catalogued, ~ 1279, Nicholas III, with Exiit qui seminat, vindicated the position of the moderates; and in 1283, Martin IV, with Exultantes, allowed an apostolic syndic. The Spirituals completely rejected the papal documents, retired to hermitages, Gnd did writing. Famous during this period are these friars: Ubertine as Casale, Angelo Clareno, and Peter John Olivi - all of the Spirituel faction. Sone of the Spirituals were imprisoned and exiled; and because of their fontinued involvement with Joachinist teachings, some were even burned ac heretics (over 100, in fact, so. suffered).’ By 1325, however, they ceased to have much significance. A theoretical controversy over poverty arose when the friars in 1322 Geeided that Christ and the Apostles owned no property. Key figures ia chi debate vere John XXII and Michael Cesena. The upshot was that fope Jena Ried issued a decree (Ad conditorem) stating that the Holy See no longer owned celeeta getty the Franciscans; hence, they were just like every other religious regarding poverty. The status of the Friars and poverty, because of this controversy, continued as John XXII had decreed. for a dictle eeee @ full century. 107Wist-Friars Minor ~3- 1325-1517: The development that culminated in the "schism" of the Observants from the Conventuals now began. Friars who wanted to return to a purer observance of the Rule, initiated small groups, living in hermitages according to primitive discipline. The little hermitage at Brugliano (near Foligno) is famous as a kind of headquarters. John of Valle, Gentile of Spoleto, Paul of Trinci, and Bernardine of Siena received their Franciscan formation there. The reform-movement spread in Italy, Spain and France. Those who adhered to its ideals became "Observants;" those who did not, were "the Conventuals." The Constitutions of Pope Martin V, in 1430, authored by St. John Capistran, were an attempt to unify the Order. But, gradually, the Obser- vants became more and more independent, without, however, full independence. Finally, on May 31, 1517, Pope Leo X issued Ite et vos: a decree of both unity and separation. It united all the reform branches that had sprung up; but it separated the reformed from the non-reformed. Thus, in 1517: there were about 30,000 Observants and 25,000 Conven- tuals. : 1517-1897; The Observants of the sixteenth century split into four groups: Dis~ calced, Recollects, Reformed, and Capuchins. Among the Discalced, the following are important: (1) John de Guadalupe in Spain; (2) Juan Pasqual, revived the Spanish reform in 1541; and (3) especially St. Peter of Alean~ tara, a vigorously austere man (who died in 1562). The Recollects and the Reformed were closely associated in their penchant for houses of recollection. Such houses had been characteristic of early Franciscan life. And there was now a tendency to band together and to draw up constitutions according to their.own brand of asceticism. The Recollects spread to France, Holland, England, Ireland and to Germany (by 1682 all German provinces were recollect). The Reformed were most numerous in Italy; they wore a distinctive habit. By 1700, the following statistics were approximate: Observants, 34,000; Discalced, 6,200; Recollects, 9,400; Reformed, 12,900. In the course of the eighteenth century, the friars began to move toward unification. These groups were mostly engaged in similar work; enthusiasm for a life of prayer and pen— ance in hermitages had waned; only non-essential locel customs now distin~ guished their way of living. 108Hist-Friars Minor -4- vad Poggtowevers wendicants were under attack. A Commission of Reg- wats had been set up in France. Under the influence of rationalise teiencies Gree abroad, this commission suppressed many friaries; they even conmanded the Gbservants to unite with the Conventuals. At this point, the Observanta diet seeeered fuoruance. Germany, Russia, Poland, Lithuania, Spain and Italy - ail epatered from suppression and persecution. The result was that the Order, {hat in 1768 nusbered 77,000 menbers, had only 14,000 in 1900 at the tam of the twentieth century. 4 Nonetheless» even in the teeth of such persecution, steps toward unifi- $3550 Of the four xeformbranches began again (with the Genetal Chapter of 1862.) Much discussion and much planning and dialogue culminated ins decree of unification, Pope Leo XIII, October 4, 1897, issued Felieitate quadans ~ the official title of the Order: Order of Friars Minor (with no additions); : > all were to wear the same form of habit; ~ Provinces who refused to accept the union could not receive novices; (The Spanish Province accepted these constitutions, but retained its own vicar-general.) ™ 1997-mid twentieth century: | Four urgent problems confronted the Order: (1) enforcing uniform obser - wares Of the Leonine decree; (2) reorganizing provincial structures; (3) ' raising the level of studies; (4) promoting missionary activity. ' Ministers General: Aloys Lauer, till 1901 Dionysius Schuker: till 1909 : Pacifico Monza: till 1915 Serafino Cimino: 1915-1921 Bernhardin Klumper: 1921-1927 Bonaventure Marrani: “1927-1933 (Spain relinquished v-general) + Leonard Bello: 1933-1944 Father Leonard appointed vicar-delegates in 1942, on account of World wee a nror the United States: Mathias Faust and Valentine Schaaf, the lat- | Sez Of whom was appointed General by Pope Pius XII in 1945. He served only one year, till his death in 1946, Pacifico Perantoni: 1947-1951 Augustine Sepinski: 1951-1957 (re-elected for 12-year term) Constantine Koser: current general. 4 109Hist-Friars Minor -5- In 1964, there were about 27,000 Franciscans. Overall Franciscan Contributions: re Holiness: 49 canonized; 112 beatified re Missions: outstanding work re Learning: here, too, many noteworthy accomplishments. Throughout, Franciscans have ever been popular with the people. Some~ how - and perhaps this is our most notable contribution - Friars manage to keep in contact with the ordinary man-on-the-street; they retain, as a key characteristic, the human touch. In the United States ~ Spanish and French friars came in the seventeenth and eighteenth centu- ries.. : = Junipero Serra, in California. - Marcos de Niza, came with Coronado. ~ Juan de Padilla was the protomartyr in the States. ~ Louis Hennepin accompanied La Salle. ~ Antonio Margil worked (and founded) San Antonio = Alonso de Benevides was the first historian of New Mexico. ~ There was no organized effort within the 13 colonies. A few friars did work independently in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Kentucky, Michael Egan was the first Bishop of Philadelphia, 1810. Provinces: 1879: Sacred Heart Province, St. Louis - from the Province of the Holy- Cross in Westphalia. 1885: St. John the Baptist Province, in Cincinnati - from the Tyrolean Province of St. Leopold, who sent friars in 1844. 1901: Holy Name Province, first settling in Croghan, New York, from the Province of St. Elizabeth in Thuringia. : 1910: Immaculate Conception Province of Italian friars, with headquarters in New York. Founded St. Bonaventure College at Allegheny. 1915: Santa Barbara Province. So few friars allied to the Spanish mis— sions, that the entire territory was incorporated into the Sacred Heart Province till 1915, 10Hist-Friars Minor -6- 193! The Polish Province at Pulaski, Wisconsin. There are also six commissariats dependent upon European Provinces, and one autonomous custody. In 1964, there were over 4,000 friars in the United States.Hist-Friars Minor ~: cuarrs 1200 1209 1239 First Priest General, Albert of Pisa (vs. Elias) and "Definitors" from 1253 Clare died Dominicans 1240 Haymo of Faversham - Academician 1300 1317 Suppression of Spirituals, Jobn XXII 1400 Friars of Capuche Clareni 1580 fe 1517 “ite et vos" Leo X 1528 1532 1541 1579 (1621) 1600 1700 1800 Ge 1900. 0.4. CAP.IMPORTANT DATES (History of Order) Bull: Quo elongati, Gregory IX, first interpretation of points of Rule (nuntius for things necessary) Bull: Ordinem vestrum, Innocent IV, ownership of friars' good assumed by Holy See useful) 1245 Bull: Quanto studiosius, Innocent IV, Order could appoint nuntius ,1247 Bull: Decree: Decree: Bull: Bull: Bull: Bull: 1230 (nuntius for things Exiit qui seminat, Nicholas IIT, official explanation of pdinte of Rule (esp. poverty) 1279 Exultantes in Domino. Martin IV, Apostolic Syndic may be appointed by Order 1283 Exivi de paradiso, Clement V, further explanation of points of Rule - usus pauper in some things mentioned in Rule 1312 Quorundam exigit, John XXII, re-affirmed Exiit and Exivi 1317 Ad conditorem, John XXII, reject- ed ownership of friars’ goods 1322 Gum inter nunnullos, John XXII, ‘condemned as heretical the state- ment that Christ and Apostles “had nothing either in common or individually" 1323 Quia quorundam, John XXII, as- serted that there 1s no contr diction between absolute poverty and ownership in common 1324 Ad statum ordinis, Martin V, again accepted ovnership of friara} goods, but permitted revenues, in- cones, ete. - These were used by the “conventual groups" 1430 n3 =e. 1240 ssq. ~ 1368 Hist-Friars Minor ~~ -1209 Founding of the Order, 4/16 ~ 1226 Death of Francis, 10/3 Development of piritual” ideas groups with - 1257 till 1274, generalate of St. Bonaventur 1260, Constitutiones Narbon- enses 1269, Apologia Pauperun q. Development of Obser- vant reform, - beginning of major split in Order ~ but no separation from order. Paul a Trinci, founder. Four Pillars: Bernadine of Siena, John Capistran, Albert of Sartiano, James of the MarchesBull: ite et vos, Leo X: The Bull of Union = all lesser reforms were united with the Observants, who were given the right to have the Minister General. The Conventuals were allowed to go their own way under a Master General (soon how- ever also known as Minister Ger- eral) 1517 Growth of ORDO FRATRUM ‘MINORUM CONVENTUALIUM after 1536, de jure may own property in communi second branch of Order Continued ‘of ORDO MINORUM 01 TIut 1628 Received GGCC* that put them on solid basis, Urban VIIT Growth of Discalced from among Convent- uals and Observants (1496) 1541 Discalced Peter of Alcanta at first under Con- ventuals, joins his province with the Observants (casted so exist“Sfter 2897) Hist-Friars Minor ~9- Development of lesser reform groups, like Clarent, Anadei, Lupini, Colletans, Friars of the Holy Gospel, Discalced - 1525 Beginning of ORDO FRATRUM MINORUM CAPUCINORUM 1619 Capuchins given independence a5 a third branch of Order ~ 1643 Given GCC in effect yet today (Urban VIII) Growth of Refora- ati (Italy, Germany, Austria) 16th. Cen.) Ns Growth of Recollecti (France, Cologne pro- vince, all Germany) 17th. century) SACRED HEART PROVINCE grows, from Recollecti of Hol’ Cros Province (Germany) 1897 BULL OF UNION (Felicteate uniting reform groups under ORDO FRATRUM MINORUM (no longer known as Observants)