Question

What does the word “mendicant” mean? Why would groups like the Franciscans call themselves “mendicant?”

Answer 1

mendicant is basically someone who is a beggar.

Answer 2

Answer:

Mendicant, member of any of several Roman Catholic religious orders who assumes a vow of poverty and supports himself or herself by work and charitable contributions. The mendicant orders surviving today are the four recognized by the Second Council of Lyon (1274): Dominicans, Franciscans, Augustinians (Augustinian Hermits), and Carmelites, as well as Trinitarians, Mercedarians, Servites, Minims, Hospitallers of St. John of God, and the Teutonic Order.

Explanation: