<P> Mendicant orders are , primarily , certain Christian religious orders that have adopted a lifestyle of poverty , traveling , and living in urban areas for purposes of preaching , evangelism , and ministry , especially to the poor . At their foundation these orders rejected the previously established monastic model . This foresaw living in one stable , isolated community where members worked at a trade and owned property in common , including land , buildings and other wealth . By contrast , the mendicants avoided owning property , did not work at a trade , and embraced a poor , often itinerant lifestyle . They depended for their survival on the goodwill of the people to whom they preached . </P>
what were the chief spiritual aims of the catholic church and mendicant orders
preaching , evangelism , and ministry , especially to the poor