Minister general
Encyclopedia
Minister General is the term used for the Superior General
of the different branches of the Franciscan
Order. It is a term exclusive to them, and comes directly from its founder, St. Francis of Assisi
.
Francis chose this term to designate the leaders of the various communities scattered around Europe
even within his lifetime. He chose this word over "Superior" out of his vision that the brothers of the Order were all to be equal, and that the friar
supervising his brothers was to be a servant who cared for (ministered to) them, not one who lorded over them.
In the 20th century, the term also came to be used as well by many religious congregations of Religious Sister
s of the Third Order of St. Francis
, in the effort to follow more closely the spirit of the founder of their movement.
See:
Superior general
A Superior General, or General Superior, is the Superior at the head of a whole religious order or congregation.The term is mainly used as a generic term, while many orders and congregations use other specific titles, notably:* Abbot general...
of the different branches of the Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
Order. It is a term exclusive to them, and comes directly from its founder, St. Francis of Assisi
Francis of Assisi
Saint Francis of Assisi was an Italian Catholic friar and preacher. He founded the men's Franciscan Order, the women’s Order of St. Clare, and the lay Third Order of Saint Francis. St...
.
Francis chose this term to designate the leaders of the various communities scattered around Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
even within his lifetime. He chose this word over "Superior" out of his vision that the brothers of the Order were all to be equal, and that the friar
Friar
A friar is a member of one of the mendicant orders.-Friars and monks:...
supervising his brothers was to be a servant who cared for (ministered to) them, not one who lorded over them.
In the 20th century, the term also came to be used as well by many religious congregations of Religious Sister
Nun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
s of the Third Order of St. Francis
Third Order of St. Francis
The Third Order of St. Francis is a third order within the Franciscan movement of the Roman Catholic Church. It includes both congregations of vowed men and women and fraternities of men and women living standard lives in the world, usually married...
, in the effort to follow more closely the spirit of the founder of their movement.
See: