Serve the Church Chapter 12 Lesson 2

Mendicant Orders These orders survived on the charity of the laity, through begging. These orders survived on the charity of the laity, through begging.

Order of friars minor (Franciscans) Founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. He lived a holy life of prayer and served the poor and sick. He lived a holy life of prayer and served the poor and sick. Soon others gathered with him, discarding wealth for the clothes of a beggar. Soon others gathered with him, discarding wealth for the clothes of a beggar. Francis wrote a rule for the Friars Minor. Francis wrote a rule for the Friars Minor.

Saint Clare Women were also attracted to this way of life. Women were also attracted to this way of life. Saint Francis helped Saint Clare found a women’s community called the Poor Clares. Saint Francis helped Saint Clare found a women’s community called the Poor Clares. They followed the Rule of Saint Francis. They followed the Rule of Saint Francis.

Saint Dominic He founded the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans). He founded the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans). They worked to convert heretics living in southern France. They worked to convert heretics living in southern France. They lived simple lives preaching the truth. They lived simple lives preaching the truth. They emphasized scholarly learning for their members so they could grow in the faith and preach it well. They emphasized scholarly learning for their members so they could grow in the faith and preach it well. The greatest of the Dominicans was Saint Thomas Aquinas. The greatest of the Dominicans was Saint Thomas Aquinas.

Saint Thomas Aquinas He became a Dominican because he liked their simple life of poverty and study. He became a Dominican because he liked their simple life of poverty and study. He joined under the objections of his family. He joined under the objections of his family. He became a teacher at the University of Paris. He became a teacher at the University of Paris. He based most of his writings on the Greek philosopher Aristotle and his insights were based on the scripture. He based most of his writings on the Greek philosopher Aristotle and his insights were based on the scripture. His writings still are an important source of catholic theology. His writings still are an important source of catholic theology. He became a saint because of his love of God. He became a saint because of his love of God.

Saint Catherine of Siena The Popes and the Kings of France had a disagreement. The Popes and the Kings of France had a disagreement. This caused the Pope to move to Avignon, France! This caused the Pope to move to Avignon, France! A devout laywoman, Saint Catherine persuaded the Pope to return to Rome. A devout laywoman, Saint Catherine persuaded the Pope to return to Rome. She chose to live a life of prayer and service to others, especially the sick. She chose to live a life of prayer and service to others, especially the sick. She is a Doctor of the Church. She is a Doctor of the Church.

The Great Western Schism During this time two men claimed to be Pope. During this time two men claimed to be Pope. Saint Peter could only have one successor. Saint Peter could only have one successor. This weakened the role of the Pope because no one knew who the Pope was. This weakened the role of the Pope because no one knew who the Pope was. By the time this was resolved, the Church’s unity was threatened. By the time this was resolved, the Church’s unity was threatened.

Carmelites The beginning of the Carmelite Order dates back to the eleventh century. A community of hermits living on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land took their inspiration from the prophet Elijah and strove to live in deep union with God. Due to increased European presence in the Holy Land during the Crusades, some of the Carmelites traveled to Europe, and the order was officially approved by the second council of Lyons in Carmelites dedicate their lives to contemplation and union with God. Many of the greatest mystics of the Church, such as Saint Teresa of Avila, Saint John of the Cross, and Saint Therese of Lisieux were member of this Order.

The Middle Ages What two new religious orders were founded during the Middle Ages and how did they differ from monastic orders? Two new religious orders founded in the Middle Ages were the Order of Friars Minor (known today as the Franciscans) and the Order of Preachers (known today as the Dominicans). They differed from the previous monastic orders because they lived and relied upon the people for their needs.

Who is Saint Francis of Assisi? St. Francis of Assisi was a wealthy, reckless Italian youth who had a powerful conversion to Christ. He gave up everything to live as a poor man and follow Jesus. He started the Franciscan Order as well as inspiring St. Clare to found a women’s branch, called the Poor Clares.

Who is Saint Dominic de Guzman? St. Dominic de Guzman founded the Order of Preachers, known as he Dominican Order. Dominicans are a very scholarly order that is devoted to preaching. St. Dominic was sent to convert the Albigensians (heretics of that day) and promoted devotion to the Rosary.

Who is Saint Thomas Aquinas and what is his importance to the Church? St. Thomas Aquinas was an Italian Dominican who was a brilliant philosopher and theologian. He is a doctor of the Church and was given the title “The Angelic Doctor” for his brilliant writings and great love of God and neighbor.

Who is St. Catherine of Siena? St. Catherine was a holy Italian lay woman. She convinced the Pope, who at the time was living in Avignon, to return to Rome. She also left many spiritual writings and is a Doctor of the Church.