HANDOUT FOR MARCH 26: FRANCISCANS
Waldensians, after founder Peter Waldo. Preached poverty, vernacular translation of scripture, rejected authority of church. Condemned as heretics.
Mendicants (literally "beggars"): religious orders that follow "apostolic poverty" and preach in the community rather than withdrawing into monasteries. Franciscans, Dominicans.
Friar: from Latin frater, "brother."
Chronology:
1170: Peter Waldo, merchant of Lyons, sells property and begins preaching apostolic poverty.
1181: Waldo declared a heretic after he defies pope’s order to stop preaching.
1182: Francis born in Assisi, Italy.
1205: Francis converts to a religious life.
1209: Francis visits Rome and meets Pope Innocent III, who allows him to found Franciscan order.
1215: Dominic de Guzman founds Dominican order. Its purpose: to win heretics back to the truth by preaching and argument.
1219: Francis accompanies Crusaders to Egypt and preaches to the Sultan.
1221: Francis produces first Rule, rejected by pope as too vague.
1223: Francis produces second and more detailed Rule.
1224: Francis retreats to a mountain and receives the stigmata.
1226: Francis dies.
1228: Francis officially canonized a saint. Thomas of Celano commissioned to write first Life of Francis.
c.1260: Bonaventure produces an "official" Life of Francis, and the order attempts to suppress some more radical versions.
Early fourteenth century: radical followers of Francis collect oral traditions into Little Flowers of Francis.