Third Order of Saint Francis

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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.

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:

1) the friars and nuns of the Third Order Regular of Saint Francis of Penance as well as the men and women who live in hundreds of religious congregations worldwide;

2) the Third Order Secular, now called the Secular Franciscan Order, who belong to local fraternities. These members do not wear a religious habit, take promises, not religious vows, or live in community, but gather together in fellowship on a regular basis. They can be married, single or clergy.^[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]