Yes, for further clarification, there have been 7 Popes who belonged to O.F.S., from Pius IX to John XXIII(thus the order “held” the papacy at no other time except for those ~155 yrs.!). However, at the same time, how would one compare lay orders with congregations of secular priests(e.g. Canons Secular or Oratorians)?Hello to all whom may be reading this. I was curious about the issue of secular priests being members of Third Orders. For instance, a number of recent Popes have apparently been Secular Franciscans(Leo XIII, Benedict XV, etc.). What seems to be the usual motives for this(maybe less commitment)? I appreciate any thoughts upon this topic.
Correction: I meant ~115 yrs.other time except for those ~155 yrs.!).
Thank you, and those are interesting things to consider.I know a couple of secular priests who are Third Order Carmelites (T.O.Carm.) or Secular Discalced Carmelites (O.C.D.S.).
I believe it is because they are drawn to the charism of the order but not the full community aspect.
Also some of them may have felt a religious calling but were steered into where they are today.
I hate to say it but it happens.
The day before I was to leave for Houston for the pre-novitiate I went to daily mass at the Church where I was Chrismated and receive First Eucharist 5 years before and the priest, who is also the vocations director for the diocese, said that I should stay in the diocese as the diocese needs priests.
And I wanted to note that John Paul II seems to have been a Lay Discalced Carmelite.Correction: I meant ~115 yrs.