Conventuals
Conventuals
One of the three religious bodies forming the First Order of Saint Francis. The friars observe the rule of Saint Francis, with certain dispensations in regard to poverty. The separation of the Franciscans into two branches which came to be known as Observants and Conventuals formally dates from the Council of Constance (1415), though the tendency towards such a division had been manifest since the death of the founder, 1226. Both branches of the order continued under the same head until 1517. Members make their vows in accordance with new constitutions adopted, 1625. They acknowledge the dispensations contained therein and hence are not bound by all the obligations of the Observants and the Capuchin Friars Minor . From their habit they are sometimes termed “Black Franciscans.” The general of the order resides in Rome. See also the Order’s web site .
Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary
Conventuals
(1.) Monks or clerical knights who are members of a convent, and have the right of voting at the meetings (conventus). SEE CONVENT.
(2.) Monks in general, in opposition to hermits.
(3.) In several orders, especially the mendicant, Conventuals is a name for those congregations which follow a mitigated rule, SEE FRANCISCANS, SEE CARMELITES, in opposition to the Observants (q.v.), who demand the observance of the rigorous primitive rule, and who sometimes even pass beyond it. The name is especially applied to the Franciscan conventuals, SEE FRANCISCANS.
(4.) Sometimes, also, a community of candidates for the priesthood, who, in a monastic manner, lived in common under a provost, were designated by this name.