friaries

Friaries are houses inhabited by friars, members of mendicant religious orders within the Catholic Church and, in some regions, the Anglican Communion. Friars take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience and devote themselves to preaching, teaching, and service in urban and civic life. Unlike monasteries, which are typically founded for withdrawal from secular society, friaries were established to be accessible to lay people and to support ministry among towns and markets, universities, and hospitals.

The great growth of friaries occurred in the 12th and 13th centuries with the rise of mendicant orders. Notable examples include the Franciscans (Order of Friars Minor), the Dominicans (Order of Preachers), the Carmelites (Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel), and the Augustinians (Order of Saint Augustine). Friaries served as bases for preaching, education, pastoral care, and charitable works. Architecturally, they commonly featured a church or chapel, a cloister, a chapter house, a refectory, and living quarters arranged for community life, while maintaining access for lay visitors.

In contemporary times, friaries continue to function in many countries. Some houses remain active centers of worship, study, and social outreach; others have been repurposed or preserved as heritage sites, reflecting changes in society and religious life. The friary remains a distinctive form of religious community emphasizing active engagement with the wider world.