lay-brother

Noun

Meaning

lay brother (plural lay brothers or lay brethren)

(Christianity) A layman who is a member of a religious congregation or monastic order without the intention to become a priest.
Synonym: conversus
In feudal days lay brothers were usually uneducated commoners, who did most menial, manual labor while the learned priestly monks held the more spiritual jobs.

Source: en.wiktionary.org

Alternative names

lay brother

Related terms

brotherly laicity

Examples

John of St. Samson, a blind lay brother whose spiritual direction was highly regarded by many. Source: Internet

The hermit makes his needs known to the lay brother by means of a note, requesting items such as a fresh loaf of bread, which will be kept in the cell for eating with several meals. Source: Internet

Close letter words and terms

lay waste to lay with mines lay witness lay-by lay-double full lay-double full-full