Third Order of Saint Francis

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The Third Order of Saint Francis is a third order in the Franciscan tradition of Christianity, founded by the medieval Italian Catholic friar Francis of Assisi.

Francis founded the Third Order in 1221, to accommodate men and women who, being married, were ineligible to join the Franciscan First or Second Orders, respectively.

The Catholic Third Order of Saint Francis was reorganized in 1978, with the approval of Pope Paul VI. It is divided into Third Order Regulars, who live in religious congregations, and Third Order Seculars, or the Secular Franciscan Order, who live in fraternities. The latter do not wear a religious habit, take vows, or live in community, but gather together in community on a regular basis.

The Lutheran and Anglican traditions also have Franciscan Third Orders. Provided by Wikipedia