I desire to be an Isolated Franciscan Tertiary. 🙏🏽

Hello everyone,

I've recently developed a strong interest in becoming an Isolated Franciscan Tertiary. I found the website of the Franciscan Tertiaries of the Order of Friars Minor, Province of the Immaculate Conception in the U.S. a few weeks ago. They are a group of fraternities who chose to leave the Secular Franciscan Order (O.F.S.) in 2019 and return to living as Secular Franciscan Tertiaries did before the Rule changed under Pope St. Paul VI. The Franciscan friars assisted them in reestablishing their O.F.S. fraternities as new fraternities of the Third Order Secular of St. Francis following the Old Rule and General Constitutions. Currently, Fr. Fit Viala, O.F.M, serves as their Spiritual Director. According to the Code of Canon Law, they are a Public Association of the Christian Faithful and a Third Order. Despite the challenges of the past five years, including the COVID-19 pandemic, their membership has grown with three established tertiary fraternities and many isolated tertiaries worldwide.

My exploration of the Third Order Secular of St. Francis has been a profound journey. I was deeply moved by the ways it has improved people's spiritual lives and the many Saints it has produced. Learning that St. John Bosco was a Franciscan tertiary before he established the Salesians was particularly inspiring. The clarity of the 1883 rule, 1957 General Constitutions, and the Community Statutes of this new organization have strengthened my desire.

Interestingly, a friend of mine who was a confrere when I was an aspirant with the Capuchins 12 years ago has invited me to join the O.F.S. for over a year. However, as a Catholic who is more drawn to traditional and detailed forms of spirituality, and because of the information I recently learned, I felt more drawn to the Franciscan Tertiaries rather than the O.F.S. Consequently, I sent an email to the address provided on the website, expressing my interest and desire to be an Isolated Tertiary.

I understand that becoming a Tertiary is not immediate, and it may take some time for them to reply, especially since their online presence alone attracts many Catholic netizens who seek time-tested, fruitful, and traditional Catholic spirituality. Recent information from their quarterly newsletter showed increased website traffic globally, resulting in many emails from potential inquirers like mine.

I am eagerly awaiting their response, and I hope it comes soon so I can officially start initial formation as an Inquirer. Your prayers mean a lot to me during this time.

May the Lord give you peace,

L.A.