Third Order

branch of Franciscan order

Also known as: Third Order of Brothers and Sisters of Penance(Show More)

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June 17, 2026

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The Third Order is a branch of the Franciscan order, founded by St. Francis of Assisi in the early 13th century. This order consists of religious and lay men and women who follow St. Francis's spirit through works of teaching, charity, and social service. The Third Order is further divided into the Third Order Secular, whose lay members live in the world without taking vows, and the Third Order Regular, whose members live in religious communities under vows. The Franciscan order is one of the largest religious orders in the Roman Catholic Church and is known for its ideals of poverty and charity.12

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St. Francis of Assisi
The Franciscan rule of St. Francis of Assisi
1221) formed the Third Order of Brothers and Sisters of Penance, a lay fraternity that, without withdrawing from the world or taking religious vows, would carry out the principles of Franciscan life. As the friars became more numerous, the order extended outside Italy.
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1221) formed the Third Order of Brothers and Sisters of Penance, a lay fraternity that, without withdrawing from the world or taking religious vows, would carry out the principles of Franciscan life. As the friars became more numerous, the order extended outside Italy.
Read More

Franciscan
Orders
The Third Order consists of religious and lay men and women who try to emulate St. Francis’s spirit by performing works of teaching, charity, and social service. Strictly speaking, the latter order consists of the Third Order Secular, whose lay members live in the world without…
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The Third Order consists of religious and lay men and women who try to emulate St. Francis’s spirit by performing works of teaching, charity, and social service. Strictly speaking, the latter order consists of the Third Order Secular, whose lay members live in the world without…
Read More