The Third Order
As a Tertiary, I am part of a world-wide community. Within the Third Order there are women and men, lay and ordained, living out their commitment in their daily lives, renewing their vows annually with a life-long intention. At the 1996 Diamond Jubilee celebrations at Salisbury Cathedral I was overwhelmed by the presence of so many Tertiaries (together with brothers and sisters of the First and Second Orders), with such a varied experience of life, with their God given talents and skills, coming together in worship, all following Christ in the way of Saint Francis.
Not living in community we are continually searching for ways of building up our community life which is underpinned by a shared pattern of a Rule of Life, a noviciate and profession. We come together as often as is possible, and are supported by a network of groupings to enable our nurture and growth.
I was drawn to the Third Order because of the discipline that I hoped it would offer me and have found so much more. The Franciscan spirituality I discovered there is where I start from and come back to, whether I am conscious of it or not, as I go about my daily life in the world in which I find myself.
Carolin Clapperton TSSF
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The Third Order in the European Province has about 1800 members. It
has its own Officers and is organised in Regions and Areas. Each applicant works
out a Rule of Life appropriate to their situation, each is responsible to a
spiritual director and to the other members. They review and renew their Rule
each year. They meet in groups at least annually and each expects to go on an
annual retreat. Further information is available from the
Minister Provincial TSSF