Origin of the Name of Friars Minor, or Lesser Brethren

The blessed Francis once said: 'The Religion and life of the Lesser Brethren is a certain little flock (sic) which the Son of God has asked of His heavenly Father in this last hour, saying: "Father, I would that You should make and give to Me a new and humble people in this last hour which shall be in humility and poverty unlike all other peoples that have gone before, and which shall be content to have Me only." And the Father heard His Son, and said: "My Son, it is done as You have asked."' Wherefore, the blessed Francis used to say that it was the will of God revealed to him that they should be called Lesser Brethren, because they are that poor and humble people whom the Son of God asked of His Father, concerning which people He Himself says in the Gospel: 'Fear not, little flock, because it has pleased your Father to give you a kingdom '; and again: 'That which you have done to one of My lesser brethren, you have done to Me.' And although the Lord was referring to all who are poor and spiritual, still, in particular He was foretelling that the Order of Friars Minor would arise in His Church.

- text taken from Franciscan Days: being selections for every day in the year from ancient Franciscan writings, translated and arranged by Alan George Ferrers Howell