Are you familiar with the idea of being a Third Order member of a religious community? St. Elizabeth of Hungary was a Third Order Franciscan. In fact, she is the patroness of the Secular Franciscan Order. What does that mean? This is not a designation that I remember learning about when I was growing up Catholic. Yet, I run across the title repeatedly as I’m studying the saints. So I am curious to learn more.
This is actually related to the other discussion question from the Loyola Press article that I referenced yesterday (found here) The prompt says, “Have the students research Third Orders…” It goes on to focus on Catholic Charities, too, but I am at the basic level of finding out about Third Orders. What does it mean? Does every religious order have such a thing? What kind of person chooses it, and what responsibilities does it entail? Let’s find out!
Franciscan Media calls it “Catholicism’s best-kept secret,” (found here) and I have to agree. Here’s the introduction to their article about it: “Are you a Catholic who feels attracted to a religious order, but are married? Do you want to stay in your home and at your job, but still follow a rule of life, like that of St. Benedict, for example? Do you want to share your pilgrim journey with other like-minded people? Have I got a deal for you: Third orders!”
The actual historical origin of Third Orders is difficult to determine with certainty, but many attribute the practice to St. Francis. He wanted a way for laymen and women who were interested in participating “more intimately in the Franciscan spiritual way.” (see here, para 4) For Francis, his first order was the Friars Minor, the second was the Poor Ladies (later called the Poor Clares, and we discussed last week), and this new effort to include lay people became the third order. Many believe this is where the term derives.
In 1221 the first rule of life for the third order Franciscans (or tertiaries) was written. These lay members were expected to dress simply and pray the canonical office or Liturgy of the Hours.
The Brothers and Sisters of the Penance of St. Dominic were formed in 1285 and were often called fraternities. They usually operated under the direction of a Dominican priest, and they wore black and white habits.
The Third Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was established in the mid 15th century, but their rule of life was revised in the 1670s. Third Order Carmelites practiced a half-hour meditation every morning and evening and fasted on Fridays year round and on Wednesdays and Saturdays from September through Easter.
As of January, 2012, OSV’s newsweekly claimed that the Church recognizes 12 different third orders, each with distinct characteristics based on its founding institution. Membership is open to any practicing Catholic who meets the specific requirements for a particular order.
This is an interesting concept to me. We know that a man who would otherwise be interested in being a priest but wants to be married, has the option to be a permanent deacon. I have just learned in recent years how intense that process can be, but it is an option. As far as I knew, there was no similar option for women. While this idea of a Third Order is not quite as intense as the deaconate, it is an option for a woman who wants to be more involved in her faith without the entire lifestyle of a nun.
Catholic365.com suggests that it should take quite a bit of time and exploration to discern a possible vocation to a Third Order, similar to a decision to marry. It is important to learn all you can about the particular order you are considering. If it sounds right for you, there is a period of formation before making a profession to the order.
This is interesting. I wonder if I have known members of Third Orders in my life. How did I not know they existed all this time? I suppose the Franciscan Media is right that it is a well-kept secret. Well, I suppose I need to follow the Loyola Press writing prompt and study more about Third Orders. I’d be interested to hear what all of you know already or find out in your own studies, if that is interesting to you.
Lord God, thank you for continuing to reveal more about Your Church. Enlighten us as needed to be sure we follow Your paths for us. Guide us to support those who might be discerning such a call.