Franciscan Third Order Secular

[DL82]

There seem to be several Franciscan secular orders around the Third Order rule. Including the Confraternity of Penitents, the Brothers & Sisters of Penance, and the Secular Franciscan Order ciofs.org/en.htm

Before I became a Catholic, I was involved with the Companions of the Society of St Francis, a secular group connected to the Anglican Franciscans.

I would like to be able to continue this Franciscan spirituality, though I notice that the interpretations of the Third Order rule used in the Catholic Third Orders are quite strict, requiring the saying of the whole daily office, for example, or prescribing clothing and quite strict fasting and abstinence. Does anyone here have any experience of these orders and the fruit of living by their rule?

Does the 3 year bar on admittance to orders for new converts also apply to secular orders like the SFO?

 

[SLCFranciscan]

I would urge you to look at the SFO with eyes wide open. If you are a traditional Catholic, there may be a better choice out there for you. I am not saying to not do it or to do it, I am just saying that the extreme liberalization of this order of the past decade or so has not sat well with many Magisterial Catholics, me included. By all means investigate, but do so with eyes wide open.

 

[NoPlaceLikeRome]

The Franciscans of the Immaculate are a wonderful newish group–I met some of their Sisters in Rome. They apparently have a third order though I know nothing about it. The main web page is MaryMediatrix.com. I highly recommend looking into them.

 

[mgrobertson79]

The Confraternity of Penitents
penitents.org/

This is a group that emphasizes the penitential aspect of the Rule of St. Francis. It seems to be a wonderful spirituality and definitely different from the more modern SFO.

 

[RevDrNorth]

Have you checked out the Brothers and Sisters of Charity? They are a Roman Catholic religious order founded by John Michael Talbot. They have a monastic expression and one for married and single people as well (livining outside of the monestary). There are local gatherings all over the US. Appear to be Fransiscan based.

littleportion.org/

Rev North

 

[Maratom]

I have been thinking of becoming a member of the Third Order Secular for a long time. I was told it takes nine months. Is this true?
I never know if just thinking about it is a call from God, or just my own mind.
Maybe some of you can throw some wisdom my way.

 

[LilyM]

I’m discerning a vocation with the Ecumenical Order of St Francis, which is a lay order comprised of members of various Christian denominations. Yes formation would take probably nine months or longer. Think of it as a blessing - it’s your chance to really try the SFO on for size and see if it fits before committing to them.

I am resolute to do my formation and profession in a completely faithful Roman Catholic way - and will switch to the regular SFO or even some other Third Order if I don’t feel the Ecumenicals are right for me.

At the same time I like the common link that St Francis forges across the various Christian denominations. He was a powerful force for centuries before the Reformation, and remains an incredibly popular saint among non-Catholics and even non-Christians, and so can be a great way to draw them closer to the fullness of the truth that Catholicism possesses.

Certainly there’s so much of an ‘us and them’ (or worse) attitude among some Catholics towards non-Catholics. I think at times it’s incredibly unhealthy and certainly unhelpful if your intent is to draw non-Catholics into the bosom of Holy Mother (Roman) Church.

A certain old saying involving flies, honey and vinegar comes to mind. And the verse from St Paul about becoming all things to all men in order to save some.

 

[VJCadarr]

A friend and I completed the Inquiry and Orientation phases and were accepted as Candidates at our Annual Regional Gathering last August. We have been in formation for 3 1/2 and 3 years respectively. We are hoping to be professed this August. IF you are not willing to enter into this time commitment, I would strongly urge you to look at other options. Good luck on whatever path Christ calls you to! Pax et bonum!

 

[may_leitch]

hi
I am a professed member of the franciscan secular order in hastings east sussex. the brother & sister of penance in america follow the old rule and not the new rule from 1978. the formation is only 2 years and you are not committed to saying the whole divine office every day our rule is to follow the gospel. if you could you would go to mass every day and say morning, evening & night prayer but it is not obligatory.
hope this answers some of your worries. give it a go, it is great to be part of a fraternity and part of the franciscan family. we meet at a poor clare convent and the nuns are great and very supportive.
good luck
may

 

[SLCFranciscan]

I was a member of the SFO for 10 years, during which time I served as a minister twice. Some of the finest Christians I ever met were in the SFO, but at a corporate level (and make no mistake about it, National runs like a corporation), I felt that they were moving more into a business model and away from a mendicant Franciscan model. After much discernment, I left the SFO. I did so in a very peaceful, kind way and am still friends with everyone there. I just wanted more prayer, more spirituality, less liberal left-wing politics, etc. I am currently a postulant with the Confraternity of Penitents, which was absolutely the right move for me. Each person must discern his or her own right path; we must move beyond a “mine is better than yours” mentality and seek commonality. Above all, each person must ask themselves whether any organization they are considering follows the Magisterium in ALL of its teachings. As to formation time in the SFO, with the new rules and regs, it is closer to 2 years before final profession, not 9 months.

I wish everyone the best. May Our Lord and His Blessed Mother direct you to the path where you can best serve. May you find the path you are looking for…

Pax et bonum!

 

[mercygate]

There seem to be several Franciscan secular orders around the Third Order rule. Including the Confraternity of Penitents, the Brothers & Sisters of Penance, and the Secular Franciscan Order ciofs.org/en.htm

Before I became a Catholic, I was involved with the Companions of the Society of St Francis, a secular group connected to the Anglican Franciscans.

I would like to be able to continue this Franciscan spirituality, though I notice that the interpretations of the Third Order rule used in the Catholic Third Orders are quite strict, requiring the saying of the whole daily office, for example, or prescribing clothing and quite strict fasting and abstinence. Does anyone here have any experience of these orders and the fruit of living by their rule?

I believe the SFO has no such requirement.

Does the 3 year bar on admittance to orders for new converts also apply to secular orders like the SFO?

Sorry; I don’t know the answer to that.

The Confraternity of Penitents and the Brothers and Sisters of Penance are not “Orders” – they are private associations of the faithful. We live the original 1221 Rule of the Franciscan Lay Order (now known as the Secular Franciscan Order) but we are not part of the SFO. The SFO Rule as it is now lived has been considerably altered over the centuries.

If you are looking to a Franciscan connection – that is a connection to the Order itself, and not just to the Franciscan charism – then the SFO would be the place for you.

 

[SLCFranciscan]

The official mark of the SFO is the Tau cross which you receive at profession. There are no dietary disciplines and no requirement to pray the office, although many members do. I did and I still do. One of the reasons I left the SFO was that I felt that the original Rule of Saint Francis had become too watered down.

 

[mercygate]

The official mark of the SFO is the Tau cross which you receive at profession. There are no dietary disciplines and no requirement to pray the office, although many members do. I did and I still do. One of the reasons I left the SFO was that I felt that the original Rule of Saint Francis had become too watered down.

Do SFOs pledge for life? May members take vows? As a convert, I don’t know much about the SFO.

Come to think of it, I believe I DO know an SFO who has private vows.

 

[SLCFranciscan]

SFOs do PROMISE (not “vow”) for life. The SFO is very adamant that the terminology “promise” and not “vow” be used. You do have the option of professing for 1 year if you wish and after that year, you either have to make your life profession or leave. If you want some serious info about the SFO, you might try calling 1-800-FRANCIS. They can provide you with some good information. It is the national headquarters for information. They can tell you where the nearest SFO is to you, etc. The first thing to do is to attend several of the general meetings, get a feel for the spirituality of the group, etc. and see if it is what you are looking for.

 

[mercygate]

SFOs do PROMISE (not “vow”) for life. The SFO is very adamant that the terminology “promise” and not “vow” be used. You do have the option of professing for 1 year if you wish and after that year, you either have to make your life profession or leave. If you want some serious info about the SFO, you might try calling 1-800-FRANCIS. They can provide you with some good information. It is the national headquarters for information. They can tell you where the nearest SFO is to you, etc. The first thing to do is to attend several of the general meetings, get a feel for the spirituality of the group, etc. and see if it is what you are looking for.

Thanks SLC. That helps me with perspective. I have all I can handle with the 1221 Rule as we live it in the Confraternity of Penitents. I made my private vows just a month ago yesterday.

 

[SLCFranciscan]

Congratulations on your vows! That is a big step. I look forward to becoming a novice at Easter. God bless!

 

[mercygate]

Congratulations on your vows! That is a big step. I look forward to becoming a novice at Easter. God bless!

Novice in what? CFP? BSP? ???

 

[mercygate]

Congratulations on your vows! That is a big step. I look forward to becoming a novice at Easter. God bless!

Our year begins on Ash Wednesday. So it’s sooner than you think! Hope to meet you at next year’s August Conference/Reunion/Retreat.

I describe it as a combination of a Trappist retreat and the Loyal Order of Raccoons Convention. :extrahappy:

 

[SLCFranciscan]

Alas, my disability makes it impossible for me to travel, but I will be there in spirit! Raccoons? My nickname is “The Badger” so I ought to fit in there really well. Raccons, badgers, forest animals–wonderful!

Seriously, I cannot tell you what wonderful and positive changes I have found in my prayer life and commitment to Our Lord and His Blessed Mother since my postulancy with the CFP.

 

[mercygate]

Alas, my disability makes it impossible for me to travel, but I will be there in spirit! Raccoons? My nickname is “The Badger” so I ought to fit in there really well. Raccons, badgers, forest animals–wonderful!

Seriously, I cannot tell you what wonderful and positive changes I have found in my prayer life and commitment to Our Lord and His Blessed Mother since my postulancy with the CFP.

Yes. Our way of life is a very great blessing.

Do you know what the reference to Loyal Order of Raccoons is? Jackie Gleason – 1950s. But you don’t have to be that old to know it. The Honeymooners has been on the air continuously for 50 years!