Addressing members of Secular Orders

[GregC]

Are Secular (Third) Order members referred to as “Brother” and “Sister”? I am asking especially in reference to writing a letter or meeting in person. Thanks!

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

GregC.:

Are Secular (Third) Order members referred to as “Brother” and “Sister”? I am asking especially in reference to writing a letter or meeting in person. Thanks!

They can be. Many refer to each other in this way when meeting. It would not be improper however to address a letter to “John smith, TOCarm” instead of “Br. John Smith, TOCarm”

 

[viktor_aleksndr]

Bro. Rich SFO how should i call our brothers and sisters in SFO? I am 23 years old and most of my Sisters and Brothers are of age 45 and above?

Here in the Philippines we have some words that we add before the name if we are addressing to an older person. Should i use those words or should i just say brothers or sister?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

viktor aleksndr:

Bro. Rich SFO how should i call our brothers and sisters in SFO? I am 23 years old and most of my Sisters and Brothers are of age 45 and above?

Here in the Philippines we have some words that we add before the name if we are addressing to an older person. Should i use those words or should i just say brothers or sister?

I could not say how even for another fraternity or region of the US let alone for another country. It is simply local custom, there is no rule requiring or prohibiting the use. I would simply ask or just listen to how they address each other. I do not demand or even expect to be addressed as Br. outside of fraternity or the internet. It does not matter to me that most of the time I’m not addressed that way.

Francis used the term Brother and Sister in an attempt to see all as equal, no one above anyone else. Even the Minister is not “over” the others but servent to the others. When we adress each as Brother and Sister we are presenting ourselves as members of a family, the Franciscan Family.

 

[GregC]

Br. Rich SFO:

They can be. Many refer to each other in this way when meeting. It would not be improper however to address a letter to “John smith, TOCarm” instead of “Br. John Smith, TOCarm”

Thank you for your reply. I take it that there is no standard way to address a member of a third order by those who are not a member themselves. Maybe those who are in third orders would not mind stating whether they *prefer *to be addressed one way or another. Thanks again for your time and replies. God bless.

 

[introibo]

My mother is a third order Franciscan, and nobody in her fraternity uses “Brother” or “Sister” as an appellation.I don’t think this is for any particular reason. I doubt assuming another title ever really occurred to them, even among their own members. I have seen some regional literature which referred to some seculars as ‘Brother’ or ‘Sister So-and-so’…

I would assume it’s just individual preference.

 

[Kielbasi]

Since this is the 21st century, aren’t we just supposed to address everyone the same way , regardless of position, “Yo”?

 

[plato3]

GregC.:

Are Secular (Third) Order members referred to as “Brother” and “Sister”? I am asking especially in reference to writing a letter or meeting in person. Thanks!

It is considerate of you to show interest in this situation. The original name for the SFO was the Brothers and Sisters of Penance. My local fraternity does use the terms “Brother and Sister” at times. Besides being children of God, we are a family of believers that have the charism of Franciscan Spirituality. We pray, laugh, and cry as a family, when different events of life effect our members.

May God bless you,
Deacon Tony SFO
Minister St. John’s SFO