MINIMS (Lat. fratres minimi, least brethren), so called, in token of still greater humility, by contrast with the fratres minores, or lesser brethren of St. Francis of Assisi (q.v.), an order of the Roman Catholic church, founded by another St. Francis, a native of Paula, a small town of Calabria, about the middle of the 15th century. Francis had, as a boy, entered the Franciscan order; but the austerities of that rule failed to satisfy his ardor, and on his return from a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi, he founded, in 1453, an association of hermits of St. Francis, who first lived in separate cells, but eventually were united in the conventual life in 1474, and established in several places in Calabria and Sicily. Francis was also invited into France by Louis XI., and founded houses of his order at Amboise and at Plessis-les-Tours. In Spain the brethren took the name of "Fathers of Victory," in memory of the recovery of Malaga from the Moors. which was
ascribed to their prayers. It was not till very near the close of the life of Francis that he drew up the I'llIP of his order, Itis'exceedingly austere., dui irritlirmi being debarred the use not only of meat, but of eggs, butter, cheese, and milk. Notwithstanding its severity, this institute attained considerable success; its houses, soon after the death of Francis (1502), numbering no fewer than 450. It has reckoned several distinguished scholars among its members; but in latter times the order has fallen into decay, beinig now limited to a few houses in Italy, the chief of which is at Rome. The superiors of convents in this order are called by the curious name of corrector, the general being styled generalis corre,ctor. A corresponding order of females had its origin about the same time, but this order also.has fallen into disuse.