Friars Minor, or Grey Friars; religious of the order of St. Francis, founded by him in the year 1209. See Francis of Assisi.

The rule of the Franciscans, as established by St. Francis himself, is briefly this: they are to live in common, to observe chastity, and to pay obedience to the pope and their superiors.

Before they can be admitted into the order, they are obliged to sell all they have, and give it to the poor; they are to perform a year's novitiate; and, when admitted, never to quit the order upon any account. They are to fast from the feast of All-saints, to the Nativity. This order has produced four popes, 42 cardinals, and an infinite number of patriarchs.