The Franciscans and Dominicans resembled each other in
many ways. They were "itinerant," going on foot from place to place,
and wearing coarse robes tied round the waist with a rope. They were
"mendicants," [24] who possessed no property but lived on the alms of
the charitable. They were also preachers, who spoke to the people, not in
Latin, but in the common language of each country which they visited. The
Franciscans worked especially in the "slums" of the cities; the
Dominicans addressed themselves rather to educated people and the upper
classes. As time went on, both orders relaxed the rule of poverty and became
very wealthy. They still survive, scattered all over the world and employed in
teaching and missionary activity. [25]
[24] Latin mendicare, "to beg."
[25] In England the Franciscans, from the color of their
robes, were called Gray Friars, the Dominicans, Black Friars.
THE FRIARS AND THE PAPACY
The friars by their preaching and ministrations did a
great deal to call forth a religious revival in Europe during the thirteenth
century. In particular they helped to strengthen the papal authority. Both
orders received the sanction of the pope; both enjoyed many privileges at his
hands; and both looked to him for direction. The pope employed them to raise
money, to preach crusades, and to impose excommunications and interdicts. The
Franciscans and Dominicans formed, in fact, the agents of the Papacy.
