Third Orders

[LongingForLight]

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14637b.htm

I found out about this after asking my parish priest about religous options for married women. He mentioned something about lay folks in religious orders, and I found this article. However, I had a hard time understanding more than the basic idea that lay folk can make some kind of promises to live a religious life, and that there is "regular" Third Orders, who live in the religious community, and "secular" Third Orders, who generally lead regular lives in many ways. I found pages specifically about Dominican groups, Franciscan groups, and several others.

Beyond this, I am having a hard time wading through the little information there is online to find any more useful information. Does anyone have more information on Third Orders?

Thanks much!

 

[Markh]

Opus Dei have a married thing which you might be interested in.

 

[Metanoia02]

If you are interested in Opus Dei, here is a FAQ that can answer some basic questions about its organization and membership. If you have further questions I would be glad to relate my personal experience with Opus Dei.

http://www.opusdei.org/art.php?w=32&a=87

 

[St_Joseph_Cupertino]

I also have been curious about Third orders, and frankly, I find the New Advent site too elaborate in their explination. It's reat for all sorts of info, but I find muself having to spend a good chunk of time sifting through it to get to the right thing...Anyhooooo, I would LOVE to join a Fransican Thrid order, since my wife's saint is St. Francis and my saint is St. Joseph of Cuertino, also a devout Franciscan...We have been feeling the need to devote more of our lives to Christ and the Third Order concept actually began to surface. I'll also read here and hope to find some info...thanks!

Peace in Christ!

 

[LongingForLight]

1 800 FRANCIS might be a place to start - it's an informational phone # that seems to be a way to get information about Franciscan Third Orders.

http://members.cox.net/sfobro/index.html

 

[AMDG]

My friend is a Third Order Carmelite. Although having the spiritual life of a Carmelite--prayer, the Third Order are lay (men and women, couples and singles, married and unmarried) and they do not wear the habit. They do have studies in their foundation of their order, and they do have meetings (and their own spiritual advisor) which I believe they see on a regular basis. Promises are made (after a long study). One of the things my friend MUST do is go to Mass daily (a difficulty out by us, since there are days were there is only a prayer service available in SEVERAL parishes.) I believe my friend got involved in the Carmelite spirituality through one of the Carmelite nuns.

Another acquaintance is a Third Order Franciscan. Different spirituality--I believe that it is service AND prayer. I believe he became a Third Order Franciscan through one of the Franciscan orders that work in one of the hospitals around here.