Third Order of Saint Francis
Tertiary religious order / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Third Order of Saint Francis is a third order in the Franciscan tradition of Christianity, founded by the medieval Italian Catholic friar Francis of Assisi.
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Francis founded the Third Order, originally called the Brothers and Sisters of Penance, in 1221, to accommodate men and women who, either from already being in consecrated life as hermits, or from being married, were ineligible to join the Franciscan First or Second Orders, respectively. In this way, they could live their lives affiliated to the Franciscan vision of the Gospel.
The Order is divided into two different branches, each with its own Rule of Life: the friars of the Third Order Regular of Saint Francis of Penance, and the men and women who live in hundreds of religious congregations worldwide; and the Third Order Secular, or the Secular Franciscan Order, who live in fraternities. The latter do not wear a religious habit, take vows, or live in community, but gather together in community on a regular basis.[1] These were reorganized and renamed in 1978, with the approval of Pope Paul VI.[2]
The Lutheran and Anglican traditions also have Franciscan Third Orders.[3]