Mendicants: meaning, definitions and examples
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mendicants
[ หmษn.dษช.kษnts ]
religious figures
Mendicants are members of certain religious orders who rely on charitable donations for their livelihood rather than on personal wealth or property. Often, they engage in preaching and serving the community while adopting a lifestyle of poverty. This term is particularly associated with groups like the Franciscans and Dominicans in the Christian tradition.
Synonyms
ascetic, beggar, pauper, vagrant
Examples of usage
- The mendicants wandered the streets, seeking alms.
- He joined a group of mendicants dedicated to helping the poor.
- The mendicants preached humility and reliance on faith.
- Many mendicants embraced a life of simplicity and service.
Etymology
The term 'mendicant' derives from the Latin word 'mendicans', meaning 'begging'. The root 'mendicare' translates to 'to beg'. Historically, mendicants emerged in the Middle Ages as part of various religious reform movements aimed at returning to the early church's ideals of poverty and community service. The Franciscans, founded by St. Francis of Assisi in the early 13th century, are perhaps the most notable example, advocating for living in harmony with nature and caring for the poor. Over time, mendicants became significant figures within urban settings, often addressing social issues and playing a critical role in communal life by supporting those in need. This lifestyle symbolized a detachment from worldly possessions in favor of spiritual and communal values.