Franciscan Orders

Filed in archive Information on July 27, 2010

The term Franciscan is used to refer to members of Catholic religious orders, founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. He founded three Franciscan orders - the Friars Minor, the Poor Ladies or Clares, and the Brothers and Sisters of Penance. These orders are generally referred to as the First, Second and the Third orders of St. Francis. Below is a brief description of the Franciscan order history.
First Order-The existence of the Friars Minor or first order properly dates from 1209, in which St. Francis obtained an unwritten approbation of the simple rule he had composed for the guidance of his first companions.
Second Order- The foundation of the Poor Ladies or second order may be said to have been laid in 1212.
Third Order- The year 1221 is the date of the foundation of the Brothers and Sisters of Penance, now known as secular franciscans. This third order was devised for those who were debarred by marriage or other ties from entering either the first or second order.