In the developed Middle Ages, the church had been affected by various negative practices and increasingly involved in economic and political processes while falling into crisis of the Gospel mission. In response to such a situation, in the 11th, 12th and 80 13th centuries had been appeared a reform movement and new church orders which reverted back to the original evangelical poverty and penance (vita apostolica). In the city of Assisi in Italy, Saint Francis of Assisi along with his companions established order Little brothers in 1209 (Franciscans, Smaller brothers). With the support from Holy See, nobles and secular authorities, the Franciscans spread very rapidly all over the world. They edited the hierarchy, order function and organized areas of action. The first province Hungariae in the Croatian territory was founded by Saint Francis in 1217. Out of it emerged the seaside province of Sclavoniae S. Seraphini in 1232, while the northern and eastern remnants of the province were merged with the Ugrian Ostrogon Province in Provincia regni Hungariae 1239. The Franciscan Spirituality and the Rule of Order consisted of the simple Gospel service in total poverty and penance, care for the most endangered society class and self-reliance on labor or mercy. The service of the Franciscan Rule was often a stone of stinging for brothers, so order had been splited into several groups. Reformers and spiritualists were arguing in favor of literal serving of the Rule and total poverty, while the Conventives strived towards metaphorical service and the right of material possession. Four currents were active in the 14th and 15th centuries: conventives, moderate reformers, radical reformers and heretics or Fraticelli. Observants and Conventives had separated in 1517. Franciscan everyday life, monastic life and pastoral duties were properly regulated. In a very short period of time, brothers took on more important ecclesiastical duties; in particular they served as preachers, confessors, inquisitors and spreaders of new devotion. The fundamental Franciscan pastoral function was preaching. Franciscans abandoned preaching skills and rules and took on the language style appropriate for listeners. Sermons were: simple, understandable, honest, picturesque, direct, entertaining and instructive. Preaching was closely related to the construction and accommodation of the monastery, the sacrament of confession and missionary activity. Sermons most often followed a three-part structure. They were always in accordance with church year, feasts or various occasions. Main topics were vices and virtues of a certain time and certain audience, but the primary purpose was repentance, penance and conversion of a listener. Sermons were held in various places and at different times, and audience was always different. With gradual introduction of studies into the Order, sermons became more elegant and in accordance with university studies which meant future preachers had to be educated and given permission of the General Minister of the Order. Preachers used various books, protocols and manuals useful for sermons. Across Europe, but also in Croatia, many preachers distinguished themselves and achieved great results. According to opinion of many historians, The Little Brothers will accomplish the spiritual renewal of the Church and have an important influence on the spirituality, devotion, customs and culture of individual and community.