WHITEFRIAR Meaning and
Definition
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Whitefriar is a noun that refers to a member of the Roman Catholic religious order known as the Order of the Friars Minor, also commonly referred to as the White Friars due to their distinctive white habits. The Whitefriars trace their origins back to the thirteenth century and were established as an offshoot of the Franciscan mendicant order founded by St. Francis of Assisi. The term "whitefriar" specifically denotes a male member of this monastic community.
Whitefriars adhere to the principles and teachings of St. Francis, which emphasize poverty, humility, and devotion to God and the Church. They lead an ascetic lifestyle characterized by contemplative prayer, preaching, and acts of charity. Like other religious orders, the whitefriars live in a community, observing vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience.
The name "whitefriar" is derived from the white habits or robes worn by the members of this religious community, distinguishing them from other Franciscan orders that may have different colored attire. The white habit symbolizes purity and contrasts with the brown habits often worn by other Franciscan branches.
In contemporary usage, the term "whitefriar" may be used to refer more broadly to any member or follower of the Order of the Friars Minor. It can also be used to describe a physical location associated with this religious order, such as a monastery, church, or shrine, that is dedicated to the Whitefriars.
Common Misspellings for WHITEFRIAR
- witefriar
- qhitefriar
- ahitefriar
- shitefriar
- ehitefriar
- 3hitefriar
- 2hitefriar
- wgitefriar
- wbitefriar
- wnitefriar
- wjitefriar
- wuitefriar
- wyitefriar
- whutefriar
- whjtefriar
- whktefriar
- whotefriar
- wh9tefriar
- wh8tefriar
- whirefriar
Etymology of WHITEFRIAR
The word "Whitefriar" is derived from "White Friars", which refers to a Catholic religious order known as the Order of the Friars of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. This order was commonly known as the Carmelites and was founded in the 12th century. The term "White Friars" comes from the white religious habit worn by the Carmelites. So, "Whitefriar" simply means a member or follower of the White Friars.
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