Mendicant (Word Definition, Latin Mendicans)

Mendicant Basic Facts:

• From the Latin mendicans.
• Refers to begging (see image) or relying on charity donations.
• Particularly used in the context of religious followers (or ascetics) who rely exclusively on charitable donations to survive.
• In general, mendicant orders or followers do not own property, either individually or collectively.
• They have taken a vow of poverty, so that all their time & energy can be expended on promoting their religion, or way of life, & serving the poor.

Mendicant Religious Orders:

• Buddhism monasticic orders.
• Catholic mendicant orders - i.e. Franciscans, Dominicans.
• Dervishes (some) in Sufi Islam
• Hindu ascetics

Dominicans follow Saint Dominic.
Franciscans follow Saint Francis of Assisi.

Image - Mendicants, New York City, 1910.
By bobster855 (cc)

Posted by ALCHEssMIST.
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