Discalceatorum

Discalceatorum is a term that refers to a group of religious orders or individuals within the Catholic Church who practice strict observance of poverty, particularly in their footwear. The word "discalceatorum" itself derives from the Latin "discalceatus," meaning "barefoot." This practice of going barefoot, or wearing very simple sandals, was a visible sign of their renunciation of worldly possessions and their commitment to emulate the humility and poverty of Christ and his apostles.

Historically, the discalced movement emerged within established mendicant orders, such as the Franciscans and Carmelites, as a reform movement. These reformers sought to return to the more austere and contemplative life of the order's founders, believing that the spiritual rigor had been diluted over time. The discalced branches often distinguished themselves from their "calced" (shod) counterparts through their more austere lifestyle, which included not only bare feet but also simple habit, stricter fasting, and more contemplative prayer.

Prominent examples include the Discalced Carmelites, founded by Saint Teresa of Ávila and Saint John of the Cross, who sought to revitalize the Carmelite order. Similarly, within the Franciscan tradition, various discalced communities arose, emphasizing a return to the original Franciscan ideals of poverty and manual labor. The discalced movement represented a significant spiritual impulse within Catholicism, highlighting the importance of asceticism and radical poverty as paths to deeper spiritual union. While the literal practice of going barefoot is less common today for practical and hygienic reasons, the spirit of discalceation, emphasizing simplicity and detachment from material wealth, continues to inform the ethos of many religious communities.