The Collaborative International Dictionary
Franciscan \Fran*cis"can\, a. [LL. Franciscus Francis: cf. F. franciscain.] (R. C. Ch.) Belonging to the Order of St. Francis of the Franciscans.
Franciscan Brothers, pious laymen who devote themselves to useful works, such as manual labor schools, and other educational institutions; -- called also Brothers of the Third Order of St. Francis.
Franciscan Nuns, nuns who follow the rule of St. Francis, esp. those of the Second Order of St. Francis, -- called also Poor Clares or Minoresses.
Franciscan Tertiaries, the Third Order of St. Francis.
Wikipedia
The Poor Clares, officially the Order of Saint Clare, – originally referred to as the Order of Poor Ladies, and later the Clarisses, the Minoresses, the Franciscan Clarist Order, and the Second Order of St. Francis – are members of a contemplative Order of nuns in the Catholic Church. The Poor Clares were the second Franciscan Order to be established. Founded by Saints Clare of Assisi and Francis of Assisi on Palm Sunday in the year 1212, they were organized after the Order of Friars Minor (the first Order), and before the Third Order of Saint Francis. As of 2011 there were over 20,000 Poor Clare nuns in over 75 countries throughout the world. They follow several different observances and are organized into federations.
The Poor Clares follow the Rule of St. Clare, which was approved by Pope Innocent IV the day before Clare's death in 1253. The main branch of the Order (O.S.C.) follows the observance of Pope Urban. Other branches established since that time, who operate under their own unique Constitutions, are the Colettine Poor Clares (P.C.C.) (founded 1410), the Capuchin Poor Clares (O.S.C. Cap) (founded 1538) and the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration (P.C.P.A.) (founded 1854).
Usage examples of "poor clares".
But in 1916 the Easter Uprising came as predicted and Joe was there helping to hold the Dublin post office before it fell, escaping then to the south and fighting alone in the hills of Cork for four long years before the Black and Tans tracked him down and he had to flee the country in the only way he could, disguised as a Poor Clare nun among a dozen Poor Clares sailing on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
The hospital has been evacuated: the patients are lying on stretchers in the street until they can be removed to the Convent of the Poor Clares.
She had tried the traditional contemplative convent life of the Colettine Poor Clares and found it not to be her vocation.