Minister general

Minister general

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 Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, in the effort to follow more closely the spirit of the founder of their movement.

See:


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • minister-general — noun see minister I …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • minister-general — noun see minister I, 5a …   Useful english dictionary

  • Minister general — term for the head of the Franciscan order …   Medieval glossary

  • Minister — • Even before the Reformation the word minister was occasionally used in English to describe those of the clergy actually taking part in a function, or the celebrant as distinguished from the assistants, but it was not then used sine addito to… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Minister (Christianity) — In Christian churches, a minister is someone who is authorized by a church or religious organization to perform functions such as teaching of beliefs; leading services such as weddings, baptisms or funerals; or otherwise providing spiritual… …   Wikipedia

  • minister — n. & v. n. 1 a head of a government department. 2 (in full minister of religion) a member of the clergy, esp. in the Presbyterian and Nonconformist Churches. 3 a diplomatic agent, usu. ranking below an ambassador. 4 (usu. foll. by of) a person… …   Useful english dictionary

  • minister — noun 1》 (in certain countries) a head of a government department: the Defence Minister. 2》 a member of the clergy, especially in the Presbyterian and Nonconformist Churches.     ↘(also minister general) the superior of some religious orders. 3》 a …   English new terms dictionary

  • minister — I. noun Etymology: Middle English ministre, from Anglo French, from Latin minister servant; akin to Latin minor smaller Date: 14th century 1. agent 2. a. one officiating or assisting the officiant in church worship b. a clergyman especially of a… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • General Secretariat for Macedonia and Thrace — Γενική Γραμματεία Μακεδονίας Θράκης …   Wikipedia

  • Minister of National Defence (Canada) — Minister of National Defence Ministry Federal …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”