(Latin dis, without, and calceus, shoe).

A term applied to those religious congregations of men and women, the members of which go entirely barefoot or wear sandals, with or without other covering for the feet. These congregations are often distinguished on this account from other branches of the same order. The custom of going unshod was introduced into the West by Francis of Assisi for men and Clare of Assisi for women.

After the various modifications of the Rule of St. Francis, the Observants adhered to the primitive custom of going unshod. The Minims and Capuchins followed in this practice. The Discalced Franciscans or Alcantarines, who prior to 1897 formed a distinct branch of the Franciscan Order, went without footwear of any kind. The followers of St. Clare at first went barefoot, but later came to wear sandals and shoes.

The Colettines and Capuchin Sisters returned to the use of sandals. Sandals were adopted by the Camaldolese monks of the Congregation of Monte Corona (1522), the Maronite Catholic monks, the Poor Hermits of St. Jerome of the Congregation of Blessed Peter of Pisa, the Augustinians of Thomas of Jesus (1532), the Barefooted Servites (1593), the Discalced Carmelites (1568), theFeuillants (Cistercians, 1575), Trinitarians (1594), Mercedarians (1604), and the Passionists..

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed (1913). Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company.