Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

Your Term:

CONVENTUALS

The branch of the Franciscan Order that favored a mitigation of the rule of poverty. Its main provision was that property could be accumulated and held by the community. The policy of the Conventuals was approved by Pope John XXII in 1332. At first the Conventuals were strongly approved by the Observants, but a final separation between them occurred in 1517.

Start over.