The Manual

of

The Third Order

of the

Society of Saint Francis

The Province of Asia-Pacific

Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia,

Papua New Guinea, , Sri Lanka

Updated June 2018

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Contents

The Society of Saint Francis .......................................................... A1

Definitions ...................................................................................... B1

The Rule of the Third Order:

(i) The Principles for Daily Reading ......................................... C1

The Community Obedience ........................................................... D1

Some Franciscan Prayers ................................................................ E1

The Calendar ................................................................................... F1

Resources for The Day of Penitence............................................... G1

Order for Profession, Novicing and Renewal ................................ H1

Formation Notes .............................................................................. I1

The Rule of the Third Order: (ii) The Constitution ......................... J1

The Statutes of the Asia-Pacific Province ...................................... K1

The Society of Saint Francis

OUR AIM

Our aim, as a Society, is to make our Lord known and loved everywhere, to

promote the spirit of love and harmony, and to live simply. This is the

obedience which the Gospel lays upon us and which shapes our lives and

attitudes.

OUR MEMBERS

Within the Society of Saint Francis are three Orders:



The Brothers and Sisters of the First Order live a community life under

vows and express their dedication to Christ by outward service to others.



The Sisters of the Second Order live under vows and maintain a life of

prayer within the enclosure of their community.



The Brothers and Sisters of the Third Order are vowed to lifelong

commitment to Christ and bear witness to the Gospel life in their homes

and in the occupations in which they believe God has called them.

The members of the three Orders are bound together in the one Society by their prayer and the contemplation of him who is the source of their strength and of their common life. This is the heart of Franciscan spirituality, expressed through vows of poverty, chastity and obedience in the First and Second Orders, and through living daily in the spirit of these counsels in the Third Order.

A1

A2

Definitions

ASSOCIATE: a person or group of persons who agree to pray regularly for the Third Order; explore more deeply the spirit of St Francis of Assisi and to

grow in their prayer life and in their love of other people and all creatures.

ENQUIRER: a person in the process of deciding whether to test a call from

God to become a member of the Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis.

NOVICE: a person who is testing a vocation within the Third Order of the

Society of Saint Francis.

PROFESSED TERTIARY: a person who has tested a vocation and intends to

serve God in the Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis for life and who has been elected to Profession by the Provincial Chapter.

THE RULE OF THE THIRD ORDER: is the basis of our community life and is

comprised of the Principles, the Constitution and the form of Profession and Renewal of the Third Order.

A PERSONAL RULE OF LIFE: sets out in practical terms how an individual

will live out the Principles of the Rule of the Third Order in daily life.

NOVICE COUNSELLOR: is responsible for introducing novices to the life of

the Third Order and guiding them as they test their calling.

AREA CONVENOR: is responsible for arranging Third Order meetings within

a defined geographical area and acts as secretary for the Area.

PROVINCIAL CHAPLAIN: is responsible, with the Provincial Minister, for

the pastoral care of the Third Order in the Province.

REGIONAL MINISTER: is responsible for the pastoral care of Tertiaries

within a region (which may consist of a number of areas).

PROVINCIAL MINISTER: is responsible for the Third Order in the Province.

PROVINCIAL CHAPTER: is the legislative body of the Third Order in the

Province.

GENERAL CHAPTER: consists of all professed Tertiaries in the Province.

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The Rule of the Third Order

of The Society of Saint Francis

(i) The Principles (for daily reading)

The basis of that which follows is the Rule of the Christa Seva Sangha at Poona. Its successor, the Christa Prema Seva Sangha, had as its English branch the Brotherhood of the Love of Christ, St Ives, Huntingdonshire, and the latter, when it joined the Brotherhood of Saint Francis of Assisi, and so formed the Society of Saint Francis, transmitted the original Rule.

This version was revised in 2011.

Day One - The Object

Jesus said, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.’ John 12:24-26

Day Two - The Object (continued)

In the example of his own sacrifice, Jesus reveals the secret of bearing fruit. In surrendering himself to death, he becomes the source of new life. Lifted from the earth on the cross, he draws all people to himself. Clinging to life causes life to decay; the life that is freely given is eternal.

Day Three - The Object (continued)

Jesus calls those who would serve him to follow his example and choose for

themselves the same path of renunciation and sacrifice. To those who hear and obey, he promises union with God.

The object of the Society of Saint Francis is to build a community of those who accept Christ as their Lord and Master, and are dedicated to him in body and spirit. They surrender their lives to him and to the service of his people. The Third Order of the Society consists of those who, while following the ordinary professions of life, feel called to dedicate their lives under a definite discipline and vows. They may be female or male, married or single, ordained or lay.

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Day Four- The Object (continued)

When Saint Francis encouraged the formation of The Third Order he recognised that many are called to serve God in the spirit of Poverty, Chastity and

Obedience in everyday life (rather than in a literal acceptance of these

principles as in the vows of the Brothers and Sisters of the First and Second Orders). The Rule of The Third Order is intended to enable the duties and

conditions of daily living to be carried out in this spirit.

Day Five - The First Aim of the Order

To make our Lord known and loved everywhere.

The Order is founded on the conviction that Jesus Christ is the perfect

revelation of God; that true life has been made available to us through his Incarnation and Ministry; by his Cross and Resurrection; and by the sending of his Holy Spirit. Our Order believes that it is the commission of the church to make the gospel known to all, and therefore accepts the duty of bringing others to know Christ, and of praying and working for the coming of the Kingdom of God.

Day Six - The First Aim (continued)

The primary aim for us as Tertiaries is therefore to make Christ known. This shapes our lives and attitudes to reflect the obedience of those whom our Lord chose to be with him and sent out as his witnesses. Like them, by word and example, we bear witness to Christ in our own immediate environment and pray and work for the fulfilment of his command to make disciples of all nations.

Day Seven - The Second Aim

To spread the spirit of love and harmony.

The Order sets out, in the name of Christ, to break down barriers between

people and to seek equality for all. We accept as our second aim the spreading of a spirit of love and harmony among all people. We are pledged to fight

against the ignorance, pride, and prejudice that breed injustice or partiality of any kind.

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Day Eight - The Second Aim (continued)

Members of The Third Order fight against all injustice in the name of Christ, in whom there can be neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female; for in him all are one. Our chief object is to reflect that openness to all which was characteristic of Jesus. This can only be achieved in a spirit of chastity, which sees others as belonging to God and not as a means of self-fulfilment.

Day Nine - The Second Aim (continued)

As Tertiaries, we are prepared not only to speak out for social justice and international peace, but to put these principles into practice in our own lives, cheerfully facing any scorn or persecution to which this may lead.

Day Ten - The Third Aim

To live simply.

The first Christians surrendered completely to our Lord and recklessly gave all that they had, offering the world a new vision of a society in which a fresh attitude was taken towards material possessions. This vision was renewed by Saint Francis when he chose Lady Poverty as his bride, desiring that all barriers set up by privilege based on wealth should be overcome by love. This is the inspiration for the third aim of the Society, to live simply.

Day Eleven - The Third Aim (continued)

Although we possess property and earn money to support ourselves and our

families, we show ourselves to be true followers of Christ and of Saint Francis by our readiness to live simply and to share with others. We recognize that some of our members may be called to a literal following of Saint Francis in a life of extreme simplicity. All of us, however, accept that we avoid luxury and waste, and regard our possessions as being held in trust for God.

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Day Twelve - The Third Aim (continued)

Personal spending is limited to what is necessary for our health and well-being and that of our dependents. We aim to stay free from all attachment to wealth, keeping ourselves constantly aware of the poverty in the world and its claim on us. We are concerned more for the generosity that gives all, rather than for the value of poverty in itself. In this way we reflect in spirit the acceptance of Jesus’ challenge to sell all, give to the poor, and follow him.

Day Thirteen - The Three Ways of Service

Tertiaries desire to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, whom we serve in the three ways of Prayer, Study, and Work. In the life of the Order as a whole these three ways must each find full and balanced expression, but it is not to be expected that all members devote themselves equally to each of them. Each

individual’s service will vary according to his or her abilities and

circumstances, yet each individual member’s Personal Rule of Life must

include each of the three ways.

Day Fourteen - The First Way of Service

Prayer

Tertiaries seek to live in an atmosphere of praise and prayer. We aim to be constantly aware of God’s presence, so that we may indeed pray without

ceasing. Our ever-deepening devotion to the indwelling Christ is a source of strength and joy. It is Christ’s love that inspires us to service, and strengthens us for sacrifice.

Day Fifteen - The First Way of Service (continued)

The heart of our prayer is the Eucharist, in which we share with other Christians the renewal of our union with our Lord and Saviour in his sacrifice,

remembering his death and receiving his spiritual food.

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Day Sixteen - The First Way of Service (continued)

Tertiaries recognize the power of intercessory prayer for furthering the purposes of God’s kingdom, and therefore seek a deepening fellowship with God in

personal devotion, and constantly intercede for the needs of his church and his world. Those of us who have much time at our disposal give prayer a large part in our daily lives. Those of us with less time must not fail to see the importance of prayer and to guard the time we have allotted to it from interruption. Lastly, we are encouraged to avail ourselves of the sacrament of Reconciliation,

through which the burden of past sin and failure is lifted and peace and hope restored.

Day Seventeen - The Second Way of Service

Study

“This is eternal life: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” John 17:3

True knowledge is knowledge of God. Tertiaries therefore give priority to

devotional study of scripture as one of the chief means of attaining that

knowledge of God which leads to eternal life.

Day Eighteen - The Second Way of Service (continued)

As well as the devotional study of Scripture, we all recognize our Christian responsibility to pursue other branches of study, both sacred and secular. In particular, some of us accept the duty of contributing, through research and writing, to a better understanding of the church’s mission in the world: the application of Christian principles to the use and distribution of wealth;

questions concerning justice and peace; and of all other questions concerning the life of faith.

Day Nineteen - The Third Way of Service

Work

Jesus took on himself the form of a servant. He came not to be served, but to serve. He went about doing good: healing the sick, preaching good news to the poor, and binding up the broken hearted.

C5

Day Twenty - The Third Way of Service (continued)

Tertiaries endeavour to serve others in active work. We try to find expression for each of the three aims of the Order in our lives, and whenever possible actively help others who are engaged in similar work. The chief form of service that we have to offer is to reflect the love of Christ, who, in his beauty and power, is the inspiration and joy of our lives.

Day Twenty One - The Three Notes of the Order

Humility, love and joy are the three notes that mark the lives of Tertiaries.

When these characteristics are evident throughout the Order, its work will be fruitful. Without them all that it attempts will be in vain.

Day Twenty Two - The First Note

Humility

We always keep before us the example of Christ, who emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, and who, on the last night of his life, humbly washed his disciples’ feet. We likewise seek to serve one another with humility.

Day Twenty Three - The First Note (continued)

Humility confesses that we have nothing that we have not received and admits the fact of our insufficiency and our dependence upon God. It is the basis of all Christian virtues. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux said, ‘No spiritual house can stand for a moment except on the foundation of humility’. It is the first

condition of a joyful life within any community.

Day Twenty Four - The First Note (continued)

The faults that we see in others are the subject of prayer rather than of criticism.

We take care to cast out the beam from our own eye before offering to remove the speck from another’s. We are ready to accept the lowest place when asked, and to volunteer to take it. Nevertheless, when asked to undertake work of which we feel unworthy or incapable, we do not shrink from it on the grounds of humility, but confidently attempt it through the power that is made perfect in weakness.

Day Twenty Five - The Second Note

Love

Jesus said, ‘I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will

know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’ (John 13:34-C6

35) Love is the distinguishing feature of all true disciples of Christ who wish to dedicate themselves to him as his servants.

Day Twenty Six - The Second Note (continued)

Therefore, we seek to love all those to whom we are bound by ties of family or friendship. Our love for them increases, as our love for Christ grows deeper.

We have a special love and affection for members of the Third Order, praying for each other individually and seeking to grow in that love. We are on our guard against anything that might injure this love, and we seek reconciliation with those from whom we are estranged. We seek the same love for those with whom we have little natural affinity, for this kind of love is not a welling-up of emotion, but is a bond founded in our common union with Christ.

Day Twenty Seven - The Second Note (continued)

The Third Order is a Christian community whose members, though varied in

race, education and character, are bound into a living whole through the love we share in Christ. This unity of all who believe in him will become, as our Lord intended, a witness to the world of his divine mission. In our relationships with those outside the Order, we show the same Christ-like love, and gladly give of ourselves, remembering that love is measured by sacrifice.

C7

Day Twenty Eight - The Third Note

Joy

Tertiaries, rejoicing in the Lord always, show in our lives the grace and beauty of divine joy. We remember that we follow the Son of Man, who came eating

and drinking, who loved the birds and the flowers, who blessed little children, who was a friend to tax collectors and sinners and who sat at the tables of both the rich and the poor. We delight in fun and laughter, rejoicing in God’s world, its beauty and its living creatures, calling nothing common or unclean. We mix freely with all people, ready to bind up the broken-hearted and to bring joy into the lives of others. We carry within us an inner peace and happiness, which others may perceive, even if they do not know its source.

Day Twenty Nine - The Third Note (continued)

This joy is a divine gift, coming from union with God in Christ. It is still there even in times of darkness and difficulty, giving cheerful courage in the face of disappointment, and an inward serenity and confidence through sickness and

suffering. Those who possess it can rejoice in weakness, insults, hardships, and persecutions for Christ’s sake; for when we are weak, then we are strong.

Day Thirty - The Three Notes

The humility, love and joy, which mark the lives of Tertiaries, are all God-given graces. They can never be obtained by human effort. They are gifts of the Holy Spirit. The purpose of Christ is to work miracles through people who are

willing to be emptied of self and to surrender to him. We then become channels of grace through whom his mighty work is done.

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The Community Obedience

This offering of prayer is to be said daily, where possible, in the context of Morning or Evening Prayer.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Here and in all your churches throughout the world, we adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Amen.

Reading from the Principles of the Third Order.

Intercessions - The Third Order Prayer list.

God, we give you thanks for the Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis.

Grant, we pray, that being knit together in community and prayer, we your

servants may glorify your holy name after the example of Saint Francis, and win others to your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Either

May our blessed Lady pray for us.

May Saint Francis pray for us.

May Saint Clare pray for us.

May all the saints of the Third Order pray for us.

May the holy angels watch over us and befriend us.

May the Lord Jesus give us his blessing and his peace.

Amen.

Or

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore.

Amen.

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D2

Some Franciscan Prayers

Collects

(These prayers are suitable for use at Morning and Evening Prayer, or with the reading of the Principles.)

Sunday

God, your love led Francis and Clare to establish our three Orders: draw us into your love that we may grow in love towards all with whom we have to do, for the sake of your son, Jesus Christ, who gives himself in love to all. Amen.

Monday

God, you are always pleased to show yourself to those who are childlike and humble in spirit: help us to follow the example of our blessed father Francis, to look upon the wisdom of this world as foolishness, and to set our minds only on Christ Jesus and him crucified; to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be all glory for ever. Amen.

Tuesday

God, you resist the proud and give grace to the humble: help us not to think proudly, but to serve you with the humility that pleases you, so we may walk in the steps of your servant Francis and receive the gift of your grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Wednesday

God, you have made your church rich through the poverty of blessed Francis: help us, like him, not to trust in earthly things, but to seek your heavenly gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Thursday

God, by the life of blessed Francis you moved your people to a love of simple things: may we, after his example, hold lightly to the things of this world and store up for ourselves treasure in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Friday

Lord Jesus, in your servant Francis you displayed the wonderful power of the cross: help us always to follow you in the way of the cross, and give us strength to resist all temptation, and to you, Lord, with the Father and the Holy Spirit be all glory for ever. Amen.

Saturday

Lord, without you our labour is wasted, but with you all who are weak can find strength: pour your Spirit on the Society of Saint Francis; give your labourers a pure intention, patient faith, sufficient success on earth, and the joy of serving you in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

E2

Litanies

Response: We thank you, God.

For the incarnation, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ:

For our membership of Christ's church:

For the Eucharist, in which we receive the life of the risen Christ:

For the inspiration and example of the life of Saint Francis:

For the calling we have as followers of Christ in the way of Saint Francis: For our shared life in the Franciscan family:

For the love and care of fellow Tertiaries:

For the spread of the Third Order throughout the world:

For growing understanding and fellowship with Roman Catholic Tertiaries:

For the world in which we live, with all its beauty and usefulness:

For the opportunities we are given to serve you in others and to accept pain and suffering in union with Christ's passion:

********************

Response: O Lord, forgive.

Our insensitivity to the needs of others because of self-will:

Our prejudice and fear that hinder the course of love in our hearts:

The narrowness of our vision and our shrinking from your demands on us:

Our failure to accept change and face reality:

Our desire to do your work in our way:

Our impatience with those who differ from us, and our lack of respect for other points of view:

Our fear of coming out from the fortress of our own souls into fuller life and deeper love:

Our clinging to the past and our fear of the future:

Our unwillingness to meet the challenge of Saint Francis with our possessions, in our relationships, with our whole selves:

Our attempts to gain security in this world where we are called to be strangers and pilgrims:

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E3

Response: Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for all Tertiaries, especially for those elected to office in the Third Order:

For Tertiaries who face hostility from those with whom they live and work

because of their Christian commitment:

For aged, sick and housebound Tertiaries:

For those who work in places far from other Tertiaries, especially for expatriate workers in the world-wide church:

For Tertiaries working among the dispossessed, the destitute and the mentally ill:

For the Provincial Minister and Provincial Chaplain, for members of Provincial Chapter, Regional Ministers and Area Convenors:

For novices of the Third Order and those who are responsible for them:

For those who doubt the reality of their Franciscan calling:

For those tempted to faithlessness or despair:

For those who lack the opportunity to be present regularly at the Eucharist: For ourselves, and all our brothers and sisters, that we may be granted the grace of perseverance:

E4

The Cross Prayers

Fridays – a devotion remembering Christ's suffering

Having in mind Saint Francis' devotion to the passion of Christ and looking upon the figure of the crucified, with arms outstretched, let us pray to the Lord.

Silence

Lord God, you have sealed your servant Francis with the signs of our

redemption.

Almighty God, when the world was growing cold you inflamed the hearts of

your people with the fire of your love. You raised up blessed Francis, bearing in his body the marks of Christ crucified. Grant to us your people, true

penitence, and grace to bear the cross for love of him, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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Centring Prayer or Mantra

My God and my All.

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E5

For Various Occasions

Entering a church

Here and in all your churches throughout the world,

we adore you, O Christ,

and we bless you,

because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Love God above all else

May the power of your love, O Lord, fiery and sweet as honey, absorb our

hearts so as to withdraw them from all that is under heaven. May we die for love of your love, for you died for love of our love.

Putting on a profession cross

Lord, you have given us grace to wear this profession cross. Help us to give ourselves to you in love and righteousness that we may always be worthy of our vocation. May we boast only in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world is crucified to us, and we to the world.

Saint Clare

Lord God, in the holiness of blessed Clare you have given a clear light to shine in the darkness of the world. Give us grace to follow her footsteps, that we may at last rejoice with her in the clear light of your eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

For the Third Order

O God, who opened the eyes of blessed Francis to the vocation of those you had called to serve you in the world, grant such grace to the members of the Third Order that, being crucified with Christ, they may show forth the radiance of his risen life; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

E6

All Franciscan saints

Almighty God, you have given strength and beauty to your church through the holiness of your saints: may we who praise you for our father Francis and all the saints of his Order be helped by their prayers, and come at last with all the pure in heart, to the fullness of your eternal glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Divine Praises

Blessed be God.

Blessed be God’s holy name.

Blessed be Jesus Christ, truly divine and truly human.

Blessed be the name of Jesus.

Blessed be Jesus Christ in the most holy sacrament of the altar.

Blessed be the Holy Spirit, helper and guide.

Blessed be the Mother of God, Mary most holy.

Blessed be Saint Francis, lover of Jesus.

Blessed be Saint Clare, pure shining light.

Blessed be God in the angels and the saints.

Blessed be God.

A Prayer for Christian graces

Lord, make us channels of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let us sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is discord, union;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that we may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

E7

Prayer of Vocation

Most high, glorious God! Bring light to the darkness of our hearts. Give us right faith, convinced hope, and perfect charity, wisdom and understanding that we may do your holy and true will.

Francis' prayer for the day

Lord, help us to live this day quietly, easily; to lean upon your great strength trustfully, restfully; to wait for the unfolding of your will patiently, serenely; to meet others peacefully, joyously; to face tomorrow confidently, courageously.

E8

A Song of Brother Sun

Most high, all powerful, good Lord,

to you be praise, glory, honour and all blessing:

Only to you, Most High, do they belong,

and no one is worthy to call upon your name.

May you be praised, my Lord, with all your creatures,

especially brother sun through whom you lighten the day for us.

He is beautiful and radiant, with great splendour,

he signifies you, O Most High.

Be praised, my Lord, for sister moon and the stars,

clear and precious and lovely, they are formed in heaven.

Be praised, my Lord, for brother wind

and by air and clouds, clear skies and all weathers,

by which you give sustenance to your creatures.

Be praised, my Lord, for sister water,

who is very useful and humble and precious and pure.

Be praised, my Lord, for brother fire,

by whom the night is illumined for us:

he is beautiful and cheerful, full of power and strength.

Be praised, my Lord, for sister, our mother earth

who sustains and governs us

and produces diverse fruits and coloured flowers and grass.

Be praised, my Lord, by all those who forgive for love of you

and who bear weakness and tribulation.

Blessed are those who bear them in peace:

for by you, Most High, they will be crowned.

Be praised, my Lord, for our sister, the death of the body,

from which no one living is able to flee;

woe to those who are dying in mortal sin.

Blessed are those who are found doing your most holy will,

for the second death will do them no harm.

Praise and bless my Lord and give him thanks

and serve him with great humility.

A Song of Brother Sun from The Daily Office SSF - Celebrating Common Prayer (Mowbray). © 1992 The Society of Saint Francis. Used with permission.

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E10

The following days, of particular significance to Franciscans, may be observed by the Third Order. This Third Order Calendar is to be used in conjunction with the Calendar of A Prayer Book for Australia.

Extra liturgical resources may be found at http://tssf.org.uk/resources/liturgy January 16

The First Franciscan Martyrs

February 9

Anglican Franciscan Pioneers

March / April

The Day of Penitence

April 11

Brother Geoffrey SSF

May 16

Margaret of Cortona

May 20

Bernardine of Sienna

May 29

Jack Winslow

June 13

Antony of Padua

July 15

Bonaventure

August 4

John Vianney, Cure D’Ars

August 10

The Transitus of St Clare

August 11

Clare of Assisi

August 14

Maximilian Kolbe

August 15

Mary, the Mother of the Lord

August 25

Louis, King of France

September 7

Brother Douglas SSF

September 17

The Stigmata of Francis

October 3

The Transitus of St Francis

October 4

Francis of Assisi

October 11

All Franciscan Saints

November 19

Elizabeth of Hungary

November 23

Fr Algy SSF

December 1

Requiem for all departed Franciscans

December 25

The Nativity of our Lord

F1

FIRST FRANCISCAN MARTYRS, 1220

16 January

Five First Order brothers, Bernardo, Peter, Adiuto, Accursio, and Otto, were sent to Morocco in 1219 to preach Christ to the Moslems. At first they were well received, but because of their opposition to Islam, they were put to death on 16 January, 1220.

Sentence

Jesus said: Those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lost their life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 16:25)

Collect

Everliving God, we thank you for the brothers by whose martyrdom the

beginnings of the Franciscan Order were sanctified: grant that following their example and strengthened by their fellowship we may give our lives to your

service, even unto death, and share with them your gifts of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Readings

1 Corinthians 4:9-14

Psalm 116

Matthew 10:16-22

Sentence

Neither death, nor life, nor anything in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38)

F2

ANGLICAN FRANCISCAN PIONEERS

9 February

On this day we give thanks for the vision of those who re-established the Franciscan life in the Anglican Communion. We remember the Christa Seva Sangha , and the communities that united to form the Society of Saint Francis, and Douglas SSF the first minister, and Algy SSF the first guardian.

Sentence

Praise the Lord, all you nations! Extol him, all you peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures for ever.

Praise the Lord! (Psalm 117:1-2)

Collect

Lord God, you kept the pioneers of the revival of the Franciscan life in the Anglican Communion faithful to Christ's pattern of poverty and humility: may we, inspired by their example, live in fidelity to our calling and come to the perfection you have shown us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Readings

1 John 4:7-12

Psalm 84

Mark 10:17-31

Sentence

The Son of Man came to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)

F3

THE DAY OF PENITENCE

March / April

Members of the Franciscan Third Order were originally called Penitents, and the Order became known as The Brothers and Sisters of Penitence. Francis drew up a Rule for them in 1220.

It was Fr Algy, Guardian of the Society of Saint Francis during the war, who reminded us that we are an Order of Penitents and called us to set aside a day in Passion Week to be offered to God in penitence for sin and for the healing work of reconciliation throughout the world.

Our Chapter resolved that the Day of Penitence be observed on or near the Friday before Palm Sunday.

The Day of Penitence should be observed, if possible, at a group meeting in the context of the Eucharist.

Collect

Lord our God, grant us grace to desire you with our whole heart; that so

desiring, we may seek and find you; and so loving, may hate those sins from which you have delivered us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Readings

Hosea 6:1-6, 11b, 7:1-2

Psalm 103:1-12

2 Corinthians 5:1-15 (16 to end)

Gospel: Luke 15:11-end

Sentence

God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we walk in the light, as God is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus

cleanses us from sin,

Further material for the Day of Penitence may be found on the Internet: www.tssf.org.au/resources and in section G following.

F4

BROTHER GEOFFREY SSF

Missionary Friar,

Founder of the Australian Third Order Province

11 April

Brother Geoffrey was appointed to lead the first brothers to Papua New Guinea in 1959. He laid the foundations for the work of the First Order and encouraged the growth of the Third Order in PNG, Australia, South East Asia and Southern Africa. He was Minister General of the Society from 1970 to 1985.

Sentence

Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to

Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.

(Hebrews 12:1c-2a)

Collect

Faithful God, you filled Brother Geoffrey with divine compassion and an all-embracing trust. Help us to persist in compassion and faithfulness and so

imitate and honour your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Readings

Isaiah 2:1-4

Psalm 103:11-22

Hebrews 12:1-3

Mark 6:34-44

Sentence

This is our boast, the testimony of our conscience: we have behaved in the

world with frankness and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the

grace of God. (2 Corinthians 1:12)

F5

MARGARET OF CORTONA

Tertiary, 1247 – 1297

16 May

The daughter of a Tuscan farmer, Margaret possessed a rare beauty. She became the mistress of a young nobleman, to whom she bore a son. Her lover's death led to her conversion, and gradually her life became as self-denying as it had formerly been self-indulgent. She became a Franciscan Tertiary and lived a life of penance, founding a hospital, and caring for the sick.

Some doubted the sincerity of her repentance, and she had to face much slander. But many conversions of sinners were brought about by her prayers and counsel.

Sentence

Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. (Psalm 32:1)

Collect

Merciful and loving God, through your gracious goodness you brought

Margaret of Cortona from the path of sin to the way of salvation; in the same mercy may we who have often gone astray also come to repentance and be

recreated in your image and likeness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Readings

2 Corinthians 5:14-19

Psalm 103:1-13

John 8:1-11

Sentence

O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.

(Psalm 34:8)

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BERNARDINE OF SIENA

Friar, 1380 – 1444

20 May

Bernardine joined the Franciscans in 1402. In 1438 he was elected Provincial of the Friars of the Strict Observance. This movement was a protest against the laxity that had developed in the First Order. They claimed to observe the primitive Rule of St Francis. Bernardine encouraged devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus.

Sentence

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation. (Isaiah 52:7)

Collect

God of glory, who gave your servant Bernardine a most tender love of the Holy Name of Jesus, grant that we may always be alive with the spirit of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Readings

Acts 4:8-12

Psalm 40:1-7

Luke 9:57-62

Sentence

'Abide in me as I abide in you', says the Lord. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit.’ (John 15:4-5)

F7

JACK WINSLOW

Missionary Priest, Writer of our Principles, 1882 – 1972

29 May

John Copley Winslow was a missionary priest in India searching for ways to live the Gospel in the context of Indian culture. He founded a Christian ashram, and the Rule of Christa Prema Seva Sangha became the basis of both First and Third Order Rules in the Society of Saint Francis.

Sentence

God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.

Collect

Loving God, you inspired Jack Winslow to look with the eyelids of the dawn, to preach the Gospel and live its principles in community. Deepen our love for one another and so bring you glory in your Son Jesus Christ.

Readings

Principle I, from the Rule of Christa Prema Seva Sangha

(see next page)

Isaiah 45:5-8

Psalm 65

1 Corinthians 2:1-13

John 12:32-36

Sentence

What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what

God has prepared for those who love him.

(1 Corinthians 2:9).

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Principle I: The Object of Christa Prema Seva Sangha

Jesus the Master speaks: Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn

of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth by itself alone; but, if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life loseth it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life

eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am,

there shall also my servant be. If any man serve me, him will my

Father honour.

The Master sets before us in the example of his own sacrifice the

secret of fruit-bearing. He surrenders himself to death, and lo! He

becomes the source of new life to myriads. Lifted up from the earth

in sacrifice, he draws unto him all those multitudes of which the

Greeks, whose coming kindled his vision, are the foretaste and

prophecy. The life that is cherished perishes; the life that is

renounced is eternal.

This law of renunciation and sacrifice, which is the law of the

Master's own life and fruit-bearing, he lays also upon his servants,

bidding them follow him in the same path. To those who thus follow

he promises the ineffable reward of union with himself and

acceptance by the Father.

The object, therefore, of Christa Prema Seva Sangha – the Society

of the Ministry of the Love of Christ – is to build up a body of men

and women, who, accepting Christ as their Lord and Master, will

seek to follow him in the way of renunciation and sacrifice as an act

of witness and for the fruitful service and uplift of his brethren in

the world.

F9

ANTONY OF PADUA

Friar, 1195 – 1231

13 June

Originally an Augustinian, Antony became a Franciscan in 1221, after having been inspired by the martyrdom of the Franciscans in Morocco. With the approval of Francis he was appointed tutor in theology to the Order. He gained a great reputation as a teacher and preacher. He was the first Franciscan theologian.

Sentence

If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel. (1 Corinthians 9:16)

Collect

Lord God, through the powerful preaching of Antony of Padua many were

brought out of darkness and error into the clear light of your gospel: may we keep the faith which he taught and by word and example share it with others; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Readings

1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23

Psalm 19

Luke 12:1-9

Sentence

We proclaim Christ crucified, the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1

Corinthians 1:23-24)

F10

BONAVENTURE

Friar, Bishop, Teacher, 1221 – 1274

15July

Known as the 'Seraphic Doctor', Bonaventure compiled the official biography of Francis. He taught theology at Paris, becoming one of the greatest theologians of his time, but he would always emphasise that a fool's love and knowledge of God may be greater than that of a wise person. He was elected Minister General of the Order in 1257, and was created Cardinal Bishop of Albano in 1273.

Sentence

Jesus said, 'My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. Anyone who

resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own'. (John 7:16-17)

Collect

Everlasting God, we praise you that you have given light to your church by the witness of Bonaventure: in our day, may your Holy Spirit raise up people who by their teaching and guidance will show the fullness of your truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Readings

2 Timothy 4:1-8

Psalm 119:97-104

John 14:23-31

Sentence

If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. (John 8:31-32)

F11

JOHN VIANNEY

Cure d'Ars, Tertiary, 1786 – 1859

4 August

John Vianney was not quick at study and had great difficulty in being accepted for ordination.

He was ordained priest in 1815. He spent the rest of his life as the parish priest of the remote village of Ars. Thousands of people came to him for counsel. During his latter years it is said that he spent 16 to 18 hours a day in the confessional.

Sentence

I will give you shepherds after my own heart who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. (Jeremiah 3:15)

Collect

God of love, who filled your servant John Vianney with zeal as a priest, pastor, and confessor: help us, by your grace, to win all our brothers and sisters for Christ and to share with them in eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Readings

Ezekiel 3:16-21

Psalm 117

Matthew 9:35 - 10:1

Sentence

The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a

ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)

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THE TRANSITUS OF ST CLARE

10 August

At the Eucharist

Collect

Gracious God, you came among us as servant of all; may we, like our sister

Clare, forget ourselves in love for you and in compassion for others. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Readings

Song of Songs 8:6-7

Psalm 123

Acts 4:32-35

Matthew 11:25-30

Post Communion

Merciful God, who gave such grace to your servant Clare that she served you with singleness of heart and loved you above all things: help us, whose

communion with you has been renewed in this sacrament, to forsake all that

holds us back from following Christ and to grow into his likeness from glory to glory.

Evening Prayer

Readings

Psalm 27

Wisdom 6:12-19

Luke 11:33-36

F13

CLARE OF ASSISI

Founder of the Second Order, 1194 – 1253

11 August

Sentence

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who emptied himself,

taking the form of a slave. (Philippians 2:5, 7)

Collect

Lord God, in the holiness of blessed Clare you have given a clear light to shine in the darkness of the world. Give us grace to follow her footsteps, that we may at last rejoice with her in the clear light of your eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Readings

Morning Prayer

Evening Prayer 2

Psalms 62, 63

Psalms 61, 66

Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 2:1-9

Isaiah 54:1-8

Matthew 13:44-51

Revelation 19:1-9

Eucharist

Song of Songs 8:6-7

Psalm 49

2 Corinthians 4:6-10, 16-18

John 15:1-11

Proper Preface

And now we give you thanks as we honour Saint Clare, humble handmaid of

Christ. In joyful obedience she was faithful to her calling, devoted in prayer, and aflame with your love, inspiring us to follow her in purity of heart …

Sentence

Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him. (Matthew 25:6)

F14

MAXIMILIAN KOLBE

Friar and Martyr, 1894 – 1941

14 August

Maximilian Kolbe, a Polish friar and priest, was imprisoned at Auschwitz. When ten prisoners were condemned to death by starvation, Maximilian stepped forward to take the place of a man with a wife and children. He was allowed to do so and ministered to his fellow sufferers in their long agony.

Sentence

Jesus said, 'Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. (John 12:24)

Collect

All powerful and everliving God, we praise you that you turned our weakness into strength: as you called Maximilian Kolbe to give his life for a brother, grant us the grace to live in faithful witness to you, even unto death; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Readings

1 Peter 4:12-19

Psalm 119:161-168

John 15:11-17

Sentence

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:10)

F15

MARY, THE MOTHER OF THE LORD

15 August

Sentence

Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.

(Luke 1:38)

Collect

God of love, you chose the blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of your only Son: grant that we who have been redeemed by his blood, may share with her

the glory of your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Readings

Evening Prayer 1

Eucharist

Psalm 45

2 Chronicles 7:1-16

1 Samuel 2:1-10

The Magnificat (AAPB p. 30)

Revelation 12:1-6

Romans 5:12-19

Luke 11:27-28

Morning Prayer

Evening Prayer 2

Psalm 72

Psalms 98, 138

Isaiah 61:10 – 62:3

Proverbs 8:22-31

John 2:1-12

John 19:23-27

Proper Preface

And now we give you thanks for the obedience of the Virgin Mary, who by your grace answered your call to be the mother of your Son. With all generations we call her blessed, and with her rejoice in the greatness of your salvation …

Sentence

Mary said, The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name'.

(Luke 1:49)

F16

LOUIS

King, Patron of the Third Order, 1214 – 1270

25 August

Louis IX personified the highest ideals of medieval kingship. He was religious, impartial and merciful. He was able to reconcile kingly power with great simplicity and poverty of spirit.

Sentence

In your strength the king rejoices, O Lord, and in your help how greatly he exults. (Psalm 21:1)

Collect

King of kings, and Lord of lords, you called your servant Louis of France to an earthly kingdom and gave him a deep love for you and your people: may we

who commemorate him today be filled with your loving grace that we too may

be fruitful in good works and attain the glorious crown of your saints; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Readings

1 Peter 2:9-10

Psalm 21:1-7

Matthew 20:25-28

Sentence

My servants shall rejoice, my servants shall sing for gladness of heart. (Isaiah 65:13, 14)

F17

BROTHER DOUGLAS

Apostle to the Wayfarers,

First Minister of the Society of St Francis, 1878 – 1957

7 September

Douglas Downes was a priest and an Oxford economics don. Moved by the plight of homeless men living ‘on the road’ in the depression, he helped set up the community at Hilfield Farm to minister to the wayfarers.

Sentence

Happy are those who consider the poor and helpless; the Lord delivers them

in the day of trouble. (Psalm 41:1)

Collect

God of the poor, you called Brother Douglas to care for the poor and helpless: give us grace to see our brother and sister in every person we meet and to deal generously with those in need following the example of our Brother and Lord, your Son Jesus Christ.

Readings

Micah 6:6-8

Psalm 68:4-8

2 Corinthians 4:5-15

Matthew 5:1-14

Sentence

All who believed were together and had all things in common. (Acts 2:44)

F18

THE STIGMATA OF SAINT FRANCIS

17 September

Sentence

Christ himself bore our sins in his body, on the cross. By his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:24)

Collect

Almighty God, when the world was growing cold you inflamed the hearts of

your people with the fire of your love; you raised up blessed Francis, bearing in his body the marks of Christ crucified: grant to us, your people, true penitence, and grace to bear the cross for love of him who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Readings

Evening Prayer 1

Eucharist

Psalms 27, 42

Exodus 24:12-18

Exodus 24:12-18

Psalm 27

Matthew 5:1-12

Galatians 6:14-18

Matthew 16:24-27

Morning Prayer

Evening Prayer 2

Psalms 71, 84

Psalms 121, 124

1 Kings 19:1-12

Isaiah 6:1-8

Luke 10:1-16

John 12:20-41

Proper Preface

And now we give you thanks, because you have raised up our father Francis to burn as a shining light in your church, that inflamed with love for you and the whole of your creation, and bearing in his body the marks of your Son's

passion, he might bring to glory many sons and daughters...

Sentence

If we have died with Christ, we will also live with him. Alleluia! (2 Timothy 2:11)

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THE TRANSITUS OF ST FRANCIS

3 October

From the earliest days of the Franciscan Order, the followers of Francis have gathered on the anniversary of his death to celebrate his transitus, his passage from earthly life into everlasting life.

This celebration is not only a memorial of one who has gone before us; it is also a celebration of the spirit of Francis today. This is a time when we, inspired by Francis, consider how we can be light for our world.

At the Eucharist

Sentence

God forbid that we should glory save in the cross of Christ our Lord.

Collect

Almighty God, when the world was growing cold you inflamed the hearts of

your people with the fire of your love. You raised up blessed Francis, bearing in his body the marks of Christ crucified. Grant to us your people, true penitence, and grace to bear the cross for love of him, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Readings

Eucharist

Evening Prayer

Psalm 142

Psalm 104

John 13:1-17

Genesis 1:24-31

Luke 12:22-34

Sentence

Christ has brought us out of darkness to dwell in the light of his glory.

Post Communion

Most High and glorious God, enlighten the darkness of our hearts and give us a true faith, a certain hope and a perfect love. Give us a sense of the Divine and knowledge of yourself so that we may do everything in fulfilment of your holy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

F20

FRANCIS OF ASSISI, 1181 – 1226

4 October

Sentence

We brought nothing into the world so we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing we will be content with these. (1 Timothy 6:7-8)

Collect

God our Father, you always delight to reveal yourself to the childlike and lowly of heart: grant that, following the example of our blessed father, Francis, we may count the wisdom of this world as foolishness and know only Jesus Christ and him crucified; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Readings

Morning Prayer

Evening Prayer

Psalms 19, 148

Psalms 8, 145

Isaiah 52:7-15

Isaiah 55

1 Corinthians 1:17-31

Matthew 10:5-22

Eucharist

Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 3:17-23

Psalm 148 or 16

Galatians 6:14-18

Matthew 11:25-30

Proper Preface

And now we give you thanks, because you have raised up our father Francis to burn as a shining light in your church, that inflamed with love for you and the whole of your creation, and bearing in his body the marks of your Son's

passion, he might bring to glory many sons and daughters...

Sentence

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3)

F21

ALL FRANCISCAN SAINTS

11 October

Sentence

Know what the hope to which God has called you is, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power in us who believe. (Ephesians 1:18-19)

Collect

Everlasting God, you have adorned your Church with splendours of the saintly followers of our holy father, Francis: grant that as we commemorate their

holiness we may come at last with all the pure in heart to share the vision of your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Readings

Revelation 7:1-4, 9-17

Psalm 1

Mark 10:17-21

Sentence

Jesus said, 'I solemnly tell you: those who have left everything and followed me will be repaid a hundredfold and will gain eternal life', (based on Matthew 19:29)

F22

ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY

Tertiary, 1207 – 1231

19 November

Elizabeth came under the influence of the Franciscans in her early married life. On the death of her husband in 1227 she renounced her wealth and became a Tertiary. She devoted the rest of her life to visiting and caring for the sick and poor.

Sentence

Jesus said, 'Everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another'. (John 13:35)

Collect

Merciful God, who helped Elizabeth of Hungary to recognise and honour Christ in the poor: grant that we may use the prosperity of this present world for the glory of your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Readings

James 2:14-17

Psalm 146

Matthew 25:31-40

Sentence

Jesus said, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom

prepared for you from the foundation of the world'. (Matthew 25:34)

F23

FR ALGY SSF

Died 1955

23 November

Algy Robertson brought to the early Society of Saint Francis a deep knowledge of the religious life and a gift for organization. He has been described as the co-founder of both SSF and the Second Order (the Community of Saint Clare). Algy still lives in the memories of all the members of the European Province as a warm and caring Father-in-God. His eccentricities are also remembered with equal vigour as delightful and frustrating!

Sentence

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Collect

Creator God, your presence fills us with awe and joy. Help us, as we remember your servant Father Algy, to see your face in every one we meet, and to share with the community the joy of knowing you, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Readings

Isaiah 6:1-6

Psalm 66:1-12

2 Corinthians 4:5-12

Mark 9:30-37

Sentence

You bring forth wine to gladden the human heart and bread to strengthen the human heart. ( See Psalm 104:15)

F24

REQUIEM FOR DEPARTED FRANCISCANS

1 December

Sentence

Blessed are the dead who from now on die in the Lord. 'Yes', says the Spirit,

'they will rest from their labours.’ (Revelation 14:13)

Collect

O God, through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, you have conquered sin and

death. We thank you for those who have died and have gone before us marked with the sign of faith, especially the sisters and brothers of our Society. Grant us, with all the faithful departed, the sure benefits of your Son's saving passion and glorious resurrection that, in the last day, when you gather up all things in Christ, we may with them enjoy the fullness of your promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Readings

1 Corinthians 15:50-58

Psalm 23

John 6:37-40

R.I.P.

Each year a page is printed in the address book with the

names and dates of all departed Tertiaries.

Sentence

Jesus said, 'I am the resurrection and the life; whoever lives and believes in me will never die'. (John 11:25)

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F26

RESOURCES FOR

THE DAY OF PENITENCE

Create in me a clean heart, O God:

And renew a right spirit within me.

Grant, Lord, that being knit together in fellowship and prayer we may worship you after the example of Saint Francis.

Make us obedient, Lord,

for you have made us in your image.

Make us obedient, Lord.

Make us humble, Lord,

so that we may acknowledge all created things as our brothers and sisters.

Make us humble, Lord.

Make us faithful, Lord,

so that in all things we will trust you, rejoice in your faithfulness, and celebrate hospitality to all people.

Make us faithful, Lord.

Make us repentant, Lord,

so that we may be transformed and empowered by the energy of your love.

Make us repentant, Lord.

********************

We have failed to love you with all our heart:

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

We have failed to love others as you love us:

Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

We have failed to be faithful members of your church and good stewards of

your spiritual gifts.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we walk in the light, as God is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from sin.

Thanks be to God.

********************

G1

Make us channels of your peace.

Let there be Love in all places where there is violence, hatred, cruelty, and prejudice. Teach us to love one another, Lord.

Make us channels of your peace.

Let there be Pardon where there is injury, impatience, lack of respect,

resentment. Grant us pardon, Lord.

Make us channels of your peace.

Let there be Healing where there is discord, fear, narrowness of vision,

differences of opinion. Bring wholeness, Lord.

Make us channels of your peace.

Let there be Faithfulness where people doubt themselves, where there is no

longer trust, honesty, and goodwill. Make us faithful, Lord.

Make us channels of your peace.

Let there be Hope where poverty, oppression, and crime foster despair and loss of dignity and erode the face of the earth. Lord of all hopefulness

Make us channels of your peace.

Let there be Light in the dark places of the world where evil lurks, where fear and death torture minds and bodies. Shine in our darkness, Lord, and give us new life.

Make us channels of your peace.

Let there be Joy where there is sadness, loneliness, pain. Let the grace of compassion renew us; let us celebrate holy playfulness in laughter, song, and dance that true prayer may emerge.

Make us channels of your peace.

G2

A Canticle of Repentance

(based on the Prayer of Manasseh)

Lord almighty God of our fathers, maker of highest heaven and the manifold

order of earth. All things are filled with awe and tremble at your power, yet infinite and unsearchable is your merciful promise.

Lord, have mercy.

You are the Lord most high, full of compassion, patience, and mercy. You are moved when your children suffer for their sins. In your goodness Lord, you

have promised forgiveness to those who sin against you. In your boundless

mercy you have appointed repentance as the way to salvation.

Lord, have mercy.

By reason of our offences we are not worthy to look up and behold the heights of heaven. Now therefore do we bow the knees of our hearts and ask for your

forgiveness.

Lord, have mercy.

We have sinned, Lord, we have sinned. We acknowledge our transgressions.

Spare us, Lord, we humbly pray, do not be angry with us for ever.

Lord, have mercy.

Deliver us from evil, do not abandon us to the grave. For you, Lord, are the God of the penitent and in us you will show forth your goodness. Unworthy though we are, you will save us in your mercy and we will praise you all the days of our life; for all the powers of heaven sing your praise; yours is the kingdom and the glory, now and for ever.

Lord, have mercy.

********************

Lord our God,

grant us grace to desire you with our whole heart;

that so desiring, we may seek and find you;

and so finding, may love you;

and so loving, may hate those sins

from which you have delivered us;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

G3

G4

ORDER FOR

PROFESSION, NOVICING, AND RENEWAL

Professions, Admissions to the Novitiate, and Renewals, should, wherever possible, take place at the Eucharist at an area meeting and should follow the gospel or sermon. Personal Rules of Life may be placed on the altar. Tertiaries who are unable to renew their profession in the company of other Tertiaries shall make arrangements for their renewal with the Regional Minister. The officiant will be the Regional Minister, or a professed Tertiary authorised by the Regional Minister. The officiant need not be the President of the Eucharist. The Novice Counsellor (or their representative) presents the candidate(s).

EXHORTATION

My brothers and sisters, as Tertiaries we seek always to be conformed to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ. Living in the world we are to serve him by prayer, study and active work for his kingdom. We set before ourselves the example of our patron, Saint Francis of Assisi, in whom the three notes of

humility, love and joy were pre-eminent. We are to keep faithfully the Rule of the Third Order, the Principles of which set before us the three aims:



to make our Lord known and loved everywhere,



to promote the spirit of love and harmony,



to live simply.

We are to be ready to endure hardship. We recall how our Saviour has said to us that if we would serve him, then we must deny self, take up our cross and follow him.

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PROFESSION OF TERTIARIES

The Novice Counsellor (or their representative who is a professed Tertiary) presents the candidate(s) for profession to the Officiant and other Tertiaries present, saying:

I present to you N, who wishes to make his/her profession in the Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis.

The Officiant says

Do you accept the Principles as the vision of Community for the Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis?

The candidate replies

I do.

I, N, give myself to our Lord Jesus Christ, to serve him for the rest of my life in company with my brothers and sisters in the Third Order of the

Society of Saint Francis, seeking to spread the knowledge and love of

Christ, to promote the spirit of love and harmony as the family of God and to live joyfully a life of simplicity and humble service after the example of Saint Francis.

When the Personal Rule of Life is received the candidate says

I, N, undertake by God's grace to keep for one year my Personal Rule of Life (which I now place on the altar).

Do you intend to renew this vow with the community annually?

I do.

The Novice kneels and the officiant gives him/her a profession cross, saying: Francis bore the marks of Christ crucified. Take this cross as a symbol of your profession of faith to be crucified with Christ who loves you and gave himself for you. Wear it as the sign of a professed member of the Third Order.

The newly professed Tertiary stands and all the professed say:

We welcome you as a professed member of the Third Order Community.

May Saint Francis continue to inspire you to follow Christ with us.

The community welcomes the newly professed in an appropriate manner.

RENEWAL OF THE PROFESSED

My brothers and sisters we have given ourselves to our Lord Jesus Christ to serve him for the rest of our lives within the community of the Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis.

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Those renewing their profession say:

I, N, renew my pledge to serve our Lord Jesus Christ in the Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis, according to the Principles of the Order, for the rest of my life; seeking to spread the knowledge and love of Christ, to promote the spirit of love and harmony as the family of God and to live

joyfully a life of simplicity and humble service after the example of Saint Francis. I undertake by God's grace to keep for one year my Personal

Rule of Life (which I now place on the altar).

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ADMISSION OF NOVICES

The Area Convenor, together with the appointed Novice Counsellors (or their representative), presents the novice to the officiant and other Tertiaries present, saying

We present to you, N, who wishes to test his/her vocation as a novice in the Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis.

The Officiant says:

Those who desire to be admitted as Novices of the Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis must accept the Principles as the vision of community for the Third Order. Do you wish to be admitted as a Novice?

The enquirer replies:

I do.

I, N, give myself to the service of our Lord Jesus Christ as a Novice in the Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis. I undertake by God's grace to live for one year according to the Principles as expressed in my Personal Rule of Life (which I now place on the altar).

I admit you as a Novice in the Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis. May the Lord give you grace as he reveals his will for you.

The community welcomes the new novice, saying

We welcome you as a novice of the Third Order Community. May Saint

Francis continue to inspire you to follow Christ with us.

RENEWAL OF NOVICES

Do you wish to renew your promise as a Novice?

I do, and I undertake by God's grace to live for one year according to the Principles as expressed in my Personal Rule of Life (which I now place on the altar).

May the Lord give you grace as he continues to reveal his will for you.

PRAYERS AFTER THE

PROFESSING / RENEWALS / NOVICING.

Let us pray to the Lord that we may have grace to persevere.

O most high, almighty, good Lord God, to you belong praise, glory, honour, and H4

all blessing. We ask you to bless your servants who have

(been professed

been admitted to the novitiate

renewed their profession

renewed promises as novices)

within the Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis. Keep us all in body and soul, give us grace to persevere in the resolution we have made and bring us at last into the communion of all your saints in eternal glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

May our blessed Lady pray for us.

May Saint Francis pray for us.

May Saint Clare pray for us.

May all the saints of the Third Order pray for us.

May the holy angels watch over us and befriend us.

May the Lord Jesus give us his blessing and his peace.

Amen.

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The Rule of the Third Order

of the Society of Saint Francis

(ii) The Constitution

This Version of the Rule was approved at IPTOC 2011.

1. The Order

1.1.a The Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis (TSSF) is the revival within the Anglican Communion in the twentieth century of the Brothers

and Sisters of Penance originally founded by Saint Francis.

1.1.b The Third Order places itself under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Francis of Assisi, and Saint Clare of Assisi, whose festivals

are to be specially observed.

1.1.c The Rule of the Third Order is comprised of the Principles, the

Constitution, and the form of Profession and Renewal of the Third

Order.

i)

The Principles are the agreed version of the Rule of the Christa

Seva Sangha as set out in the ‘Source Documents’.

ii) The Constitution defines the form and practice of the Third Order in

response to the Principles.

iii) The form of Profession and Renewal is authorised by

Interprovincial Chapter.

1.1.d The Rule of the Third Order is the basis of our community life and is the expression of our heritage and vision in the Franciscan life.

1.1.e The Principles, together with the Personal Rule of Life, are the focus of commitment and renewal for all Tertiaries.

1.2

The Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis is organised into

Provinces.

1.3.a One of the Ministers Provincial shall be the Minister General of the

Third Order. The Minister General shall appoint another Minister

Provincial who shall serve as Assistant Minister General.

1.3.b The Minister General is the functional Head of the Third Order

throughout the world, and its servant.

1.3.c It is the responsibility of the Minister General:

i)

to ensure that the Constitution of the Third Order is observed.

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ii) to assist in co-ordinating the interprovincial life of the Third Order.

iii) to act as Convenor for the other Ministers Provincial in all

interprovincial matters of Third Order policy and practice.

iv) to ensure that Interprovincial Chapters are called in accordance with

the Constitution.

1.3.d The Minister General may attend and may vote at any meeting of any

Provincial Chapter.

1.3.e The Minister General shall be elected by the Interprovincial Third Order Chapter, and a new Minister Provincial will be elected as soon as

possible by the Province affected.

1.3.f

When the office of Minister General falls vacant between meetings of

the Interprovincial Chapter there shall be a postal vote by the same

electorate, that is: the Ministers Provincial, the Provincial Chaplains,

and the third elected member of each Province. A Bishop Protector shall

act as the returning officer for a postal vote.

i)

The Minister General shall hold office initially for three

years.

ii) The Minister General may hold office for one further term of three

years.

1.4.a There shall be an Interprovincial Third Order Chapter to coordinate the activities of the Order throughout the world.

1.4.b Meetings of the Interprovincial Chapter shall be called by the Minister General either

i)

at the request of any two Provinces, or

ii) in any event at intervals not exceeding six years.

1.4.c i)

The Minister General shall preside at all meetings of the

Interprovincial Chapter.

ii) Each Province shall be represented at the Interprovincial

Chapter by the Minister Provincial, the Provincial

Chaplain, or their nominees, and one other professed

Tertiary, chosen according to the procedure laid down in

the Statutes of each Province.

1.4.d The Ministers Provincial together shall act as an executive body of

Interprovincial Chapter. Their decisions shall be reported to, and ratified by all Provincial Chapters and the Interprovincial Chapter when it

meets.

1.4.e The Third Order shall have a Central Fund which shall be operated in

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accordance with the provisions of Appendix A.

2. Membership of the Order

2.1.a Tertiaries of the Society of Saint Francis will normally be communicant members of the Anglican Communion or of churches in communion

with the See of Canterbury.

2.1.b Application for membership from communicant members of other

churches may be referred to the Bishop Protector of the Province

concerned, who shall exercise his discretion in accordance with the

Constitution of the Society of Saint Francis.

2.2.a The Third Order recognises two degrees of Membership: Novices and

Professed.

2.2.b i)

The Novitiate is normally of two years duration.

ii) No person under the age of 18 years may be noviced

except as provided in the Provincial Statutes of each

Province.

iii) Postulants may be admitted to the Novitiate provided that

they have kept a provisional rule of life for at least six

months.

2.2.c At Profession Tertiaries commit themselves to Christ within the Third Order with lifelong intention.

2.3.a Admissions to the Postulancy must be approved by the Provincial

Chaplain concerned except as provided by the Statutes of each Province.

2.3.b Those to be Professed must be elected to Profession by the Provincial Chapter of the Province concerned except as provided by the Statutes of

each Province.

2.3.c Novicings, Professions and Renewals shall, wherever possible, take

place within the Eucharist, using the Service approved for the purpose.

2.3.d Novicings and Renewals shall normally be accepted by a Professed

Tertiary.

2.3.e Professions may normally be received by a Professed Tertiary after

election by the Chapter of the Province concerned, and shall be

evidenced by the giving and receiving of the Professional Cross.

2.4.a The resignation of a Professed Tertiary and release from the obligations of Profession requires the permission of the Chapter of the Province

concerned.

2.4.b The Chapter of a Province may initiate the release from the Order of any J3

professed Tertiary. This shall be done in accordance with the Statutes of the Province.

3. The Provinces

3.1

New Provinces shall be formed by the Interprovincial Chapter of the

Third Order.

3.2

Within each Province the Third Order is protected by the Bishop

Protector appointed by the Provincial Chapter of that Province for an

initial term of six years, renewable at the discretion of that Chapter.

3.3.a In each Province there shall be a Chapter which shall be the legislative body for that Province.

3.3.b Each Province shall draw up its own Statutes governing its organisation and shall exchange copies for information with the other Provinces.

3.3.c The formation of a new Province shall be determined by the Provincial Ministers, and thereafter in accordance with the Statutes of the new

Province as approved by its Chapter.

3.3.d In discerning the will of God for the growth and development of the

Order through the formation of a new Province, the Provincial Ministers

shall take into account the following:



Whether there is a functioning chapter



The extent to which the emerging Province is taking responsibility

for its finances. e.g. providing for its own internal needs and

contributing to the budget of the existing Province



The extent to which it is taking responsibility for formation

including indigenising the formation material and developing clear

ways of doing formation themselves – (i.e. developing the material

themselves and not just translating other material)



Development of leadership and leadership structures



Recognising they are part of the wider Order



The justification for the change



Functioning structures and procedures that are being developed into

its statutes



A minimum number that is viable



How this is of benefit to the whole Order

4. Spiritual Direction and Rule of Life

4.1.a Each Member of the Third Order must have a Spiritual Director who

normally has a Spiritual Director and accepts ‘the Principles’ as the

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basis of direction.

4.1.b Each Novice of the Third Order must have a Novice Counsellor who

will assist with the Tertiary’s formation in Franciscan life.

4.2.a Members of the Third Order shall each make and keep a Personal Rule

of Life.

4.2.b The purpose of the Personal Rule of Life is to interpret and express the Principles in the particular circumstances of each Tertiary’s life.

4.2.c The Personal Rule of Life should be drawn up according to the Statutes of the Province, giving consideration to each Tertiary’s personal gifts

and qualities as well as the other duties and responsibilities each may

have.

4.2.d The personal Rule of Life will normally include some commitment,

clearly stated, in each of the following areas:

1. The Holy Eucharist

5. Retreat

2. Penitence

6. Study

3. Personal Prayer

7. Simplicity

4. Self Denial

8. Work

9. Obedience

4.3.a As a sign of their commitment and renewal, members of the Third Order shall annually renew their pledge to live according to the Principles as

expressed in their Personal Rule of Life.

4.3.b Annual renewal is required to safeguard against nominal membership

and to give an opportunity for the Personal Rule of Life to be revised if

needed.

4.3.c Members of the Third Order shall report at least annually on the living in accordance with the Principles as expressed in their Personal Rule of

Life in the manner laid down in the Statutes of their Province.

4.4

Those admitted to the Novitiate are committed as Members of the

Franciscan Family within the Third Order, to accept the authority of

their Provincial Chapter and those who hold Pastoral Office in their

Province, and to seek humbly and joyfully to grow in their vocation.

5. Amendments to Constitution

5.1

Amendment to the Constitution and Appendices may be proposed by a

Provincial Chapter and shall be submitted in writing to the Minister

General for circulation to the other Provinces.

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5.2

Subject to the approval of all the Provinces, such amendments shall be

ratified by the Interprovincial Chapter of the Third Order.

5.3

This version of the Constitution is that amended by the Interprovincial

Chapter of 2011.

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APPENDIX A: THE CENTRAL FUND OF THE THIRD ORDER OF THE

SOCIETY OF ST FRANCIS

OBJECTS

1. To enable Provincial representatives to attend Inter-Provincial meetings.

2. To pay the expenses of the Third Order Minister General when visiting the Third Order.

3. To pay the expenses of those commissioned to care for isolated Tertiaries at the discretion of the Trustees.

4. To make grants for other approved works which are in accordance with the general purposes of the Third Order.

5. When reserves are enough to meet the possible cost of Objects one to four, grants may be made to further the objects of the Society of St. Francis.

TRUSTEES

1. The Minister General, Third Order (Chair).

2. The Minister Provincial of the European Province if the Minister General is from another province. If the Minister General is from the European Province, a Provincial Minister from another province will be elected by the Ministers

Provincial.

3. The Bishop Protector of the European Province.

4. The Treasurer od the European province with voice but no vote.

THE FUND

1. A statement of accounts of the Central Fund, with details of grants and income, shall be sent annually to all Provincial Ministers.

2. Grants will be made with the approval of three Provincial Ministers.

INCOME

1. Donations from the Provinces of the Third Order.

2. Donations from groups or individuals, especially those who wish to see the Provinces of the Third Order go forward together in their Franciscan vocation.

3. Any monies received from Trusts, or any other legal entities, for the general purposes of the Third Order Central Fund.

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SECRETARY AND TREASURER

1. The Third Order Central Fund shall have a Secretary, who shall also be its Treasurer.

2. The Secretary/Treasurer shall be a Tertiary from the European Province appointed by the Trustees on the recommendation of the Provincial Minister, European

Province.

3. The Secretary/Treasurer shall:

(a) receive all donations to the Fund.

(b) keep an accounting record of the financial transactions of the Fund.

(c) ensure that a statement of accounts, with details of grants and income, are sent annually to all Provincial Ministers.

(d) refer applications for grants to the Provincial Ministers for their considerations.

(e) attend Trustee meetings.

4. The financial year ends 31 May to conform to the European province accounting cycle.

CONTACT DETAILS (not part of APPENDIX A)

Donations may be sent to the Provincial Treasurer for forwarding to the Central Fund.

Contact details may be obtained at http://opencharities.org/charities/280238

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THIRD ORDER OF THE SOCIETY OF SAINT FRANCIS

Province of Asia-Pacific

Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka

STATUTES

INDEX

1. Organisation and Government

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2. The Officers of the Order

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3. Membership of the Order

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4. Relations with First and Second Orders

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1. ORGANISATION AND GOVERNMENT

1.1 The Province

a) The Asia-Pacific Province consists of Tertiaries (professed and novices) resident in Australia, Papua New Guinea and Asia.

b) New provinces may be formed by the Interprovincial Chapter of the Third

Order.

1.2 The Provincial Chapter

a) The Provincial Chapter (hereafter described as ‘Chapter’) is the legislative body of the Third Order in the Province and the ultimate authority in all that concerns its life and work.

b) The Chapter has the particular responsibility for:

a) the election of brothers and sisters to profession;

b) releasing a professed Tertiary from the obligations of

profession, and reinstating those who have been previously

released.

c) the amendment of Provincial Statutes;

d) the performance of other duties assigned it by these

Statutes and the Constitution of the Third Order.

c) Chapter shall consist of:

The Provincial Minister

The Provincial Chaplain

Assistant Provincial Minister

Provincial Secretary

Provincial Treasurer

Regional Ministers

Ministers for Regions in Formation

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d) The Provincial Minister shall have the right to invite appropriate Tertiaries to be full members of Chapter. This shall be by annual invitation.

e) The election/appointment of Provincial Minister, Provincial Chaplain and Regional Ministers shall take place in different years to preserve the

continuity of Chapter.

f) The members of Chapter may, by a simple majority, co-opt any other

professed member of the Society to participate in its deliberations with

voice or with voice and vote.

g) Chapter shall, as far as possible, invite a representative from one of the Regions in Formation to each Chapter meeting.

h) The Chapter Clerk would normally be chosen from the Chapter members.

i) A quorum shall consist of five (5) Chapter members of whom three (3) at

least be Regional Ministers.

j) The Provincial Minister shall preside at Chapter and have a casting vote.

k) Actions reserved to the members of the Chapter under these Statutes may be taken either at a meeting of Chapter at which a quorum of Chapter is

present, or by ballot circulated by written communication to all members of the Chapter (in which case the majority of all members shall be required).

For contentious matters, more discussion may be required in working

towards consensus.

l) The Chapter shall normally meet once a year.

m) Matters for the agenda shall be submitted to the Provincial Minister at least two weeks before the Chapter meets, and a copy of the agenda shall be sent

to all Chapter members at least one week before the meeting.

n) The Chapter shall appoint an auditor annually.

o) The Chapter shall elect from its number the third representative to the

Interprovincial Third Order Conference (IPTOC).

p) A meeting of Chapter shall include:

(a) a meeting of the members of Chapter assembled in person on the same

day at the same time and place; or

(b) the members of Chapter communicating with each other by telephone or

any other technological means by which they are able to communicate

with each other and participate in discussion notwithstanding they (or

one or more of them) are not physically present in the same place.

A member of Chapter participating in the meeting under this Rule shall be

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deemed to be present (including for the purposes of constituting a quorum) and entitled to vote at the meeting notwithstanding that he or she is not

physically present at the place appointed for the meeting.

q) A meeting of the Executive shall include:

(a) a meeting of the members of the Executive assembled in person on the

same day at the same time and place; or

(b) the members of the Executive communicating with each other by

telephone or any other technological means by which they are able to

communicate with each other and participate in discussion

notwithstanding they (or one or more of them) are not physically present

in the same place.

(c) Membership of the Executive shall be the same as that defined as

Standing Committee in section 1.3 c).

r) Any resolution passed by Chapter under sections 1.2 k), p) and q) to be tabled at the next Chapter meeting for inclusion in the minutes.

1.3 Standing Committee

a) There shall be a Standing Committee to implement the decisions of Chapter and to authorise expenditure by the Provincial Treasurer. Its function is to deal with routine business and to act in emergencies but not to legislate. It shall make a full report of its business to Chapter.

b) Standing Committee shall consist of:

The Provincial Minister

The Provincial Chaplain

The Assistant Provincial Minister

Any two (2) members of Chapter

c) The Provincial Minister with any two (2) of these shall suffice to

form a quorum of the Standing Committee.

1.4 General Chapter

a) General Chapter consists of all professed Tertiaries living in the Province. It meets with the consent of the Provincial Minister when it is considered

necessary by Chapter or by a majority of Tertiaries. It is desirable that it would meet from time to time to provide the opportunity for Tertiaries to

discuss the Franciscan life, especially in relation to their own Order. It has no legislative powers, but Chapter shall consider its recommendations and

suggestions.

b) General or Regional Conferences may be held from time to time.

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1.5 Regions

The Province is divided into Regions which are determined and adjusted by

Chapter after consultation with local Tertiaries.

1.6 Areas

a) The Province is divided up into Regions which may be subdivided into

Areas of convenient size. These are determined and adjusted by the

Regional Minister in consultation with the Provincial Minister. In order to be designated as such, an Area shall consist of at least three (3) Tertiaries.

b) At Area meetings (of which there should be at least three (3) a year if

possible) the Community Obedience shall be used. The Eucharist or Daily

Office may be used.

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1.7 Conduct of Tertiaries

a) Tertiaries, guided by the Rule of the Third Order, and their own personal Rule of Life, aim to be conformed to the image of Christ in their way of life and in their relationships with others, both within the Third Order and

beyond. To assist them in this, it is recommended that they make

themselves aware of the Code of Conduct for Clergy or “Church Workers”

in their own diocese and the importance of living within these Guidelines.

b) Members of Chapter and Officers of the Third Order as defined in Statute 2.1 must abide by the Code of Conduct for Clergy or “Church Workers” in

their own diocese and sign their assent and provide this to their Regional

Minister, Provincial Minister, or Provincial Chaplain as appropriate.

c) Should a Tertiary’s behaviour bring the reputation of the Third Order into disrepute, it shall be investigated by the Provincial Minister, Assistant

Provincial Minister and Provincial Chaplain. If the behaviour concerned is proven, they may only be appointed as an Officer of the Order or continue

in office by agreement of Chapter.

1.8 Complaints or Disputes

Any complaint that cannot be resolved by or between Tertiaries should then be brought to the Regional Minister. If the issue is not then resolved it should be brought to the Provincial Minister or to the Provincial Chaplain as appropriate.

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2. THE OFFICERS OF THE ORDER

2.1 The Officers

a) The Officers of the Third Order in the Province are:

The Provincial Minister (elected by professed)

The Assistant Provincial Minister (recommended by the

Provincial Minister and ratified by Chapter)

The Provincial Chaplain (appointed by Chapter)

The Regional Ministers (elected by Regions)

The Provincial Secretary (recommended by Provincial

Minister and ratified by Chapter)

The Chapter Clerk (appointed by Chapter)

The Provincial Treasurer (recommended by Provincial

Minister and ratified by Chapter)

The Novice Counsellors (appointed by Chapter)

Area Convenors (elected by Areas and ratified by Regional

Minister's)

Ministers for Regions in Formation (appointed by Chapter)

The Provincial Communications Coordinator (appointed by

Chapter)

Newsletter Editor (appointed by Chapter)

Archivist (appointed by Chapter)

b) All officers shall have been professed for at least twelve months unless otherwise provided for by these Statutes.

c) Normally, all officers shall serve for a term of three (3) years, and then are eligible for re-election for one further term (Treasurer 2.8 excepted; Novice Counsellors excepted see 2.10; Provincial Communications Coordinator

excepted, see 2.12; Newsletter Editor excepted, see 2.13; Archivist

excepted, see 2.14).

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2.2 The Provincial Minister

a) The Provincial Minister is responsible for the preparation of the agenda for Chapter and Standing Committee, for presiding at their meetings, and for

ensuring that their decisions are carried out.

b) The Provincial Minister may delegate the responsibility of chairing sessions of Chapter and Standing Committee.

c) The Provincial Minister grants mandates for the Regional Ministers to

arrange the profession of Novices.

d) Any professed brother or sister is eligible for election by the professed Tertiaries of the Province to the office of Provincial Minister.

e) If the Provincial Minister is unable to carry out his/her duties at any time during the term, the Assistant Provincial Minister will assume the authority of the Provincial Minister with the approval of Chapter.

f) If the position becomes vacant an election shall take place or Chapter shall appoint a Provincial Minister for the remainder of the term.

2.3 The Assistant Provincial Minister

a) The Provincial Minister shall, with the approval of Chapter, appoint a

professed Tertiary to assist him/her and to act as deputy when necessary

during his/her term of office.

b) The Assistant Provincial Minister shall, in the event of the Provincial

Minister ceasing to function, assume the position until the election of a new Provincial Minister.

2.4 The Provincial Chaplain

a) The Provincial Chaplain is responsible, with the Provincial Minister, for the pastoral care of the Third Order. He/She accepts and approves admissions

to the novitiate where there is no Regional Minister. He/She receives the

reports from the Regional Ministers and supervises the work of the other

pastoral officers.

b) He/She shall be a professed Tertiary in holy orders and shall be appointed by Chapter.

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2.5 The Regional Ministers

a) The Regional Ministers are responsible to the Chapter through the

Provincial Chaplain for the pastoral care and administration of Tertiaries

within their Region. Determining and adjusting Areas within that Region is in consultation with the Provincial Minister.

b) He/She will be responsible for:

a) responding to enquirers;

b) overseeing the Novice Formation Programme within their

Region;

c) recommending Novices to Chapter for election to profession;

d) receiving reports from professed Tertiaries within their

Region;

e) reporting annually before Chapter to the Provincial Minister

on all Tertiaries within their Region;

f) representing their Region on Chapter.

c) Where a vacancy occurs the Provincial Minister shall arrange for a Regional Minister to be elected to complete that three year term and, in the interim period, be responsible for the administration of the said Region.

d) Should it become apparent that a Regional Minister has not been fulfilling the duties set out in 2.5a) and b), the Provincial Minister, after consultation with the Provincial Chaplain and the Region concerned, shall ask the

Regional Minister in writing to show cause why he/she should not be

replaced. If no satisfactory answer is received by a specified date, the

Provincial Minister, with prior ratification from Chapter, shall inform the Regional Minister in question that their position is now deemed vacant,

whereupon 2.5c) will come into effect or, if this is not possible, with the approval of Chapter, make other arrangements for the care of the Region.

e) With the Provincial Ministers approval, Regional Ministers may appoint

another Tertiary to assist with their duties.

2.6 The Ministers for Regions in Formation

The duties of the Ministers for Regions in Formation are as outlined in 2.5

(Regional Minister) with regard to those areas not yet designated as Regions.

2.7 The Provincial Secretary

a) The Provincial Secretary shall assist the Provincial Minister in the discharge of his/her duties.

b) The Provincial Secretary is responsible for:

a) the preparation, mailing, and tabulation of all ballots;

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b) the keeping of an up to date record of all names and

addresses, together with dates of admission of all professed

Tertiaries and novices in the Province;

c) the preparation, storage, and distribution of other Third Order

materials.

c) With the Provincial Minister's approval the Provincial Secretary may

appoint other Tertiaries to assist with these duties.

2.8 The Provincial Treasurer

The responsibilities of the Provincial Treasurer include:

a) the receiving and paying of all monies;

b) the keeping of the Provincial accounts;

c) arranging for the accounts to be audited by the person

appointed by Chapter;

d) the preparation of a balance sheet for the Chapter.

2.9 The Chapter Clerk

The Chapter Clerk shall be responsible for the recording of the Minutes of

Chapter. If necessary, the Chapter Clerk may be a co-opted member of Chapter with no voting power.

2.10 The Novice Counsellors

a) Novice Counsellors are responsible, under the direction of their Regional Minister, for the supervision and formation of novices. When appropriate

they should advise the novice to apply for profession.

b) They shall report annually on the progress of each novice in their care to the Regional Minister of the said novice.

c) They are responsible to the Regional Minister for recommending to

profession those novices in their care.

d) Novice Counsellors are appointed by Chapter. Chapter will review the

Novice Counsellors annually and reappoint at its discretion.

e) Between meetings of Chapter a Regional Minister may recommend to the

Provincial Chaplain Tertiaries for appointment as Novice Counsellors,

subject to ratification by the next meeting of Chapter.

2.11 Area Convenor

a) The Area Convenor shall be a professed Tertiary elected by all the professed and novices of an Area. The election shall be carried out annually in

consultation with the Regional Minister.

b) The Provincial Minister may authorise the appointment of a novice or first year professed as Area Convenor.

c) The Area Convenor shall normally be responsible for arranging meetings.

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d) The Area Convenor shall report annually to the Regional Minister before Chapter.

2.12 Provincial Communications Coordinator

a) The Provincial Communications Coordinator is responsible, under the

direction of Chapter, for the production, maintenance and revision of all

printed and electronic materials pertaining to the Order.

b) When appropriate the Provincial Communications Coordinator will be

invited by the Provincial Minister to attend Chapter. The term of the

appointment is to be determined by Chapter.

2.13 Newsletter Editor

a) The Newsletter Editor is responsible to the Chapter for the editing and

production of the Third Order Newsletter.

b) The Newsletter Editor shall be appointed by Chapter. The term of

appointment is to be determined by Chapter.

2.14 Archivist

a) The Archivist is responsible to Chapter for the gathering and preservation of all forms of material that is considered to reflect the history, activities and nature of the Third Order. The Archivist will maintain a proficient system of retrieval for this material.

b) The Archivist shall be appointed by Chapter and the terms of the

appointment will be determined by Chapter. When appropriate the Archivist

may be invited to attend Chapter by the Provincial Minister. The Archivist will furnish an annual written report to Chapter.

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2.15 Bishop Protector:

a) The Bishop Protector’s role is to promote the Third Order and, in case of dispute, may be asked to mediate on our behalf.

The Bishop Protector should be:

• supportive of the religious life, and of the Third Order in particular;

• a bishop of the Australian church; and

• ideally a diocesan bishop with good contacts within the Australian

church and beyond.

Chapter, through the Provincial Minister, shall:

• keep the Bishop Protector informed of the activities of the Province

and Chapter and be in contact with the Bishop at least every six

months;

• invite the Bishop Protector to Provincial meetings and activities as

appropriate;

The Bishop Protector is asked to:

• promote the Third Order both to individuals and to other dioceses

and organisations;

• be willing to be asked to mediate in disputes with other dioceses or

organisations outside the Order;

• be an informal ‘sounding board’ for the Provincial Chaplain or the

Provincial Minister in internal disputes being resolved under Statute

1.7.

The Bishop Protector and the Association of the Society of St Francis (Inc)

• The Bishop Protector and the Bishop Protector of the First Order

nominate a person to be a Member of the Association of the Society

of St Francis (Inc) and the President of the Council of the

Association.

b) The Bishop Protector shall be appointed by Chapter for an initial term of 6

years, renewable at the discretion of Chapter.

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3. MEMBERSHIP IN THE ORDER

3.1 Degrees of Membership

There are two degrees of membership within the Third Order - Noviced and

Professed.

3.2 Definitions

a) A person in the process of deciding whether to test a call from God to

become a member of the Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis is an

enquirer.

b) A NOVICE is a person who is testing a vocation within the Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis.

c) A PROFESSED TERTIARY is a person who has tested a vocation and

intends to serve God in the Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis for life and has been elected to profession by Chapter.

3.3 Members

Normally applications for membership will be received from people in

communion with the Anglican Church. Applications for membership from

people of other denominations are to be referred by the Regional Minister to the Provincial Minister.

3.4 Novices

a) After a period of not less than six (6) months the Regional Minister may invite an enquirer to be admitted to the Order as a novice. The Regional

Minister shall inform the Provincial Secretary.

b) Each novice is assigned a Novice Counsellor by the Regional Minister to

whom he/she reports each three (3) months, and renews their promise

annually at St Francistide.

c) A novice who desires to withdraw may do so at any time and should inform their Novice Counsellor who shall contact their Regional Minister and

Provincial Secretary. The Regional Minister may, after consultation with the Provincial Minister, ask a novice to withdraw from the Order at any time.

d) At the discretion of Chapter, a communicant member of another Christian

church may be admitted to the Order.

e) At the discretion of the Provincial Minister a person under the age of

eighteen (18) years may be admitted to the Order.

3.5 Professed

a) The normal length of the novitiate shall be two years. A novice may apply to Chapter, through the Novice Counsellor, for profession. The Novice

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Counsellor shall present each application to the Regional Minister with his/her recommendation. The Regional Minister notifies the Provincial

Minister. The Provincial Minister then presents the application to Chapter.

b) When novices are elected to profession the Provincial Minister shall issue a mandate for their profession to be accepted on behalf of the Third Order,

and shall arrange for the Provincial Secretary to send to the Regional

Minister the Tertiary cross and certificate for each candidate, to be presented at the time of profession.

c) Novices may be deferred for one year. Only in exceptional circumstances (e.g. prolonged illness) may deferral for more than one year be granted.

d) Novices who are not elected to profession or not deferred shall normally cease to be members of the Third Order. They may, however, apply to the

Provincial Minister for reconsideration at the next meeting of Chapter and if the Provincial Minister allows this, they remain in the novitiate until such reconsideration has taken place.

e) Professed brothers and sisters shall report quarterly to their Novice

Counsellor for the year following their profession after which they shall

report annually to their Regional Minister. If there is not a Regional

Minister they report directly to the Provincial Chaplain.

f) All professed Tertiaries shall renew their profession annually at St

Francistide. In each Area opportunity shall be given for Tertiaries to meet together for this annual renewal.

g) Tertiaries who are unable to renew their profession in the company of other Tertiaries shall make arrangements with their Regional Minister before

renewing.

h) A professed Tertiary may apply to Chapter, through the Regional Minister, for release from their obligations of profession.

i) A professed Tertiary may seek, through the Regional Minister, in

consultation with the Provincial Minister, leave of absence for one year.

j) Following every meeting of Provincial Chapter, the Provincial Minister

shall write to any Tertiary who has failed to renew for two (2) consecutive years to ask if he/she desires to continue in the Order. If no reply has been received by the next meeting of Chapter, Chapter shall release that Tertiary from the obligation of profession.

k) A Tertiary who is released from the obligations of profession shall return their profession cross through the Regional Minister.

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1) If a professed Tertiary who has been released from the Order seeks to be readmitted, reinstatement may be granted by Chapter after such preparation

as shall be decided by the Provincial Minister in consultation with the

Regional Minister.

m) With the approval of the Provincial Minister, professed members of the First and Second Orders of the Society of Saint Francis or from a Franciscan

Third Order of another Communion may be received as professed members

of the Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis. They should be

welcomed into the community according to the order of service provided by

Chapter for this purpose.

n) All Professions, leaves of absences, receptions, re-instatements and releases shall be recorded in the Minutes of the Chapter.

3.6 Community Obedience

All professed Tertiaries and novices are required to make a common offering of prayer each day. This discipline is an act of communal obedience and consists of a reflection on The Rule of the Third Order (The Principles) and intercession for the Order. A set form is provided.

3.7 Financial Obligation

All members of the Order are required to make an annual financial

commitment, the amount of which is to be determined by Chapter.

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4 RELATIONS WITH THE FIRST AND SECOND ORDERS

4.1 The Unity of the Society

This Province affirms the unique contribution and character of the Third Order to the religious life of the Society of Saint Francis, and also the need for a continuing interdependence between the three Orders so that the unity and

diversity of the Society can be maintained.

4.2 Representatives

Representatives of the First Order brothers and sisters, and sisters of the Second Order may be invited to be present at any conference, Chapter, Area meeting, etc. of the Third Order and may apply for financial assistance with travel

expenses.

4.3 Property

a) The Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis will act and deal with

property in accordance with the philosophy of the Society of St Francis in

relation to property.

b) Funds, other than those reasonably required for the general running

expenses of the Order, must be placed with the Society of St Francis

Association Inc.

c) The Society of St Francis Association Inc. is the trust body for the three Orders of the Society of St Francis in Australia, and is registered as an

incorporated association in New South Wales. Its overall object is to

promote, support, aid and further the objects and work of the Society of St Francis within the Anglican Church in Australia.

d) The Provincial Minister or another person nominated by him/her, and one

other person nominated by the Provincial Chapter of the Order are members

of the Council of the Society of St Francis Association Inc. The person

nominated by the Provincial Chapter shall hold office for whatever term the Provincial Chapter may nominate. As occasion requires the Provincial

Chapter shall nominate a person to the Council of the Society of St Francis Association Inc.

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Document Outline

- The Society of Saint Francis

- OUR AIM

- OUR MEMBERS

- Definitions

- The Rule of the Third Order of The Society of Saint Francis (i) The Principles (for daily reading)

- Day One - The Object

- Day Two - The Object (continued)

- Day Three - The Object (continued)

- Day Four- The Object (continued)

- Day Five - The First Aim of the Order

- Day Six - The First Aim (continued)

- Day Seven - The Second Aim

- Day Eight - The Second Aim (continued)

- Day Nine - The Second Aim (continued)

- Day Ten - The Third Aim

- Day Eleven - The Third Aim (continued)

- Day Twelve - The Third Aim (continued)

- Day Thirteen - The Three Ways of Service

- Day Fourteen - The First Way of Service

- Day Fifteen - The First Way of Service (continued)

- Day Sixteen - The First Way of Service (continued)

- Day Seventeen - The Second Way of Service

- Day Eighteen - The Second Way of Service (continued)

- Day Nineteen - The Third Way of Service

- Day Twenty - The Third Way of Service (continued)

- Day Twenty One - The Three Notes of the Order

- Day Twenty Two - The First Note

- Day Twenty Three - The First Note (continued)

- Day Twenty Four - The First Note (continued)

- Day Twenty Five - The Second Note

- Day Twenty Six - The Second Note (continued)

- Day Twenty Seven - The Second Note (continued)

- Day Twenty Eight - The Third Note

- Day Twenty Nine - The Third Note (continued)

- Day Thirty - The Three Notes

- The Community Obedience

- Some Franciscan Prayers

- Collects

- Sunday

- Monday

- Tuesday

- Wednesday

- Thursday

- Friday

- Saturday

- Litanies

- The Cross Prayers

- Centring Prayer or Mantra

- For Various Occasions

- Entering a church

- Love God above all else

- Putting on a profession cross

- Saint Clare

- For the Third Order

- All Franciscan saints

- The Divine Praises

- A Prayer for Christian graces

- Prayer of Vocation

- Francis' prayer for the day

- A Song of Brother Sun

- FIRST FRANCISCAN MARTYRS, 1220 16 January

- Sentence

- Collect

- Readings

- Sentence

- ANGLICAN FRANCISCAN PIONEERS 9 February

- Sentence

- Collect

- Readings

- Sentence

- THE DAY OF PENITENCE March / April

- Collect

- Readings

- Sentence

- BROTHER GEOFFREY SSF Missionary Friar, Founder of the Australian Third Order Province 11 April

- Sentence

- Collect

- Readings

- Sentence

- MARGARET OF CORTONA Tertiary, 1247 – 1297 16 May

- Sentence

- Collect

- Readings

- Sentence

- BERNARDINE OF SIENA Friar, 1380 – 1444 20 May

- Sentence

- Collect

- Readings

- Sentence

- JACK WINSLOW Missionary Priest, Writer of our Principles, 1882 – 1972 29 May

- Sentence

- Collect

- Readings

- Sentence

- Principle I: The Object of Christa Prema Seva Sangha

- ANTONY OF PADUA Friar, 1195 – 1231 13 June

- Sentence

- Collect

- Readings

- Sentence

- BONAVENTURE Friar, Bishop, Teacher, 1221 – 1274 15July

- Sentence

- Collect

- Readings

- Sentence

- JOHN VIANNEY Cure d'Ars, Tertiary, 1786 – 1859 4 August

- Sentence

- Collect

- Readings

- Sentence

- THE TRANSITUS OF ST CLARE 10 August

- At the Eucharist

- Collect

- Readings

- Post Communion

- Evening Prayer

- Readings

- CLARE OF ASSISI Founder of the Second Order, 1194 – 1253 11 August

- Sentence

- Collect

- Readings

- Morning Prayer

- Eucharist

- Evening Prayer 2

- Proper Preface

- Sentence

- MAXIMILIAN KOLBE Friar and Martyr, 1894 – 1941 14 August

- Sentence

- Collect

- Readings

- Sentence

- MARY, THE MOTHER OF THE LORD 15 August

- Sentence

- Collect

- Readings

- Evening Prayer 1

- Morning Prayer

- Eucharist

- Evening Prayer 2

- Proper Preface

- Sentence

- LOUIS King, Patron of the Third Order, 1214 – 1270 25 August

- Sentence

- Collect

- Readings

- Sentence

- BROTHER DOUGLAS Apostle to the Wayfarers, First Minister of the Society of St Francis, 1878 – 1957 7 September

- Sentence

- Collect

- Readings

- Sentence

- THE STIGMATA OF SAINT FRANCIS 17 September

- Sentence

- Collect

- Readings

- Evening Prayer 1

- Morning Prayer

- Eucharist

- Evening Prayer 2

- Proper Preface

- Sentence

- THE TRANSITUS OF ST FRANCIS 3 October

- At the Eucharist

- Sentence

- Collect

- Readings

- Eucharist

- Evening Prayer

- Sentence

- Post Communion

- FRANCIS OF ASSISI, 1181 – 1226 4 October

- Sentence

- Collect

- Readings

- Morning Prayer

- Eucharist

- Evening Prayer

- Proper Preface

- Sentence

- ALL FRANCISCAN SAINTS 11 October

- Sentence

- Collect

- Readings

- Sentence

- ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY Tertiary, 1207 – 1231 19 November

- Sentence

- Collect

- Readings

- Sentence

- FR ALGY SSF Died 1955 23 November

- Sentence

- Collect

- Readings

- Sentence

- REQUIEM FOR DEPARTED FRANCISCANS 1 December

- Sentence

- Collect

- Readings

- R.I.P.

- Sentence

- RESOURCES FOR THE DAY OF PENITENCE

- A Canticle of Repentance (based on the Prayer of Manasseh)

- ORDER FOR PROFESSION, NOVICING, AND RENEWAL

- EXHORTATION

- PROFESSION OF TERTIARIES

- RENEWAL OF THE PROFESSED

- ADMISSION OF NOVICES

- RENEWAL OF NOVICES

- PRAYERS AFTER THE PROFESSING / RENEWALS / NOVICING.

- The Rule of the Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis

- (ii) The Constitution

- 1. The Order

- 2. Membership of the Order

- 3. The Provinces

- 4. Spiritual Direction and Rule of Life

- 5. Amendments to Constitution

- APPENDIX A: THE CENTRAL FUND OF THE THIRD ORDER OF THE SOCIETY OF ST FRANCIS

- OBJECTS

- TRUSTEES

- THE FUND

- INCOME

- SECRETARY AND TREASURER

- CONTACT DETAILS (not part of APPENDIX A)

- THIRD ORDER OF THE SOCIETY OF SAINT FRANCIS Province of Asia-Pacific Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka STATUTES

- INDEX

- 1. ORGANISATION AND GOVERNMENT

- 1.1 The Province

- 1.2 The Provincial Chapter

- 1.3 Standing Committee

- 1.4 General Chapter

- 1.5 Regions

- 1.6 Areas

- 1.7 Conduct of Tertiaries

- 1.8 Complaints or Disputes

- 2. THE OFFICERS OF THE ORDER

- 2.1 The Officers

- 2.2 The Provincial Minister

- 2.3 The Assistant Provincial Minister

- 2.4 The Provincial Chaplain

- 2.5 The Regional Ministers

- 2.6 The Ministers for Regions in Formation

- 2.7 The Provincial Secretary

- 2.8 The Provincial Treasurer

- 2.9 The Chapter Clerk

- 2.10 The Novice Counsellors

- 2.11 Area Convenor

- 2.12 Provincial Communications Coordinator

- 2.13 Newsletter Editor

- 2.14 Archivist

- 2.15 Bishop Protector:

- 3. MEMBERSHIP IN THE ORDER

- 3.1 Degrees of Membership

- 3.2 Definitions

- 3.3 Members

- 3.4 Novices

- 3.5 Professed

- 3.6 Community Obedience

- 3.7 Financial Obligation

- 4 RELATIONS WITH THE FIRST AND SECOND ORDERS

- 4.1 The Unity of the Society

- 4.2 Representatives

- 4.3 Property

Table of Contents

The Society of Saint Francis

OUR AIM

OUR MEMBERS

Definitions

The Rule of the Third Order of The Society of Saint Francis (i) The Principles (for daily reading)

Day One - The Object

Day Two - The Object (continued)

Day Three - The Object (continued)

Day Four- The Object (continued)

Day Five - The First Aim of the Order

Day Six - The First Aim (continued)

Day Seven - The Second Aim

Day Eight - The Second Aim (continued)

Day Nine - The Second Aim (continued)

Day Ten - The Third Aim

Day Eleven - The Third Aim (continued)

Day Twelve - The Third Aim (continued)

Day Thirteen - The Three Ways of Service

Day Fourteen - The First Way of Service

Day Fifteen - The First Way of Service (continued)

Day Sixteen - The First Way of Service (continued)

Day Seventeen - The Second Way of Service

Day Eighteen - The Second Way of Service (continued)

Day Nineteen - The Third Way of Service

Day Twenty - The Third Way of Service (continued)

Day Twenty One - The Three Notes of the Order

Day Twenty Two - The First Note

Day Twenty Three - The First Note (continued)

Day Twenty Four - The First Note (continued)

Day Twenty Five - The Second Note

Day Twenty Six - The Second Note (continued)

Day Twenty Seven - The Second Note (continued)

Day Twenty Eight - The Third Note

Day Twenty Nine - The Third Note (continued)

Day Thirty - The Three Notes

The Community Obedience

Some Franciscan Prayers

Collects

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Litanies

The Cross Prayers

Centring Prayer or Mantra

For Various Occasions

Entering a church

Love God above all else

Putting on a profession cross

Saint Clare

For the Third Order

All Franciscan saints

The Divine Praises

A Prayer for Christian graces

Prayer of Vocation

Francis' prayer for the day

A Song of Brother Sun

FIRST FRANCISCAN MARTYRS, 1220 16 January

Sentence

Collect

Readings

Sentence

ANGLICAN FRANCISCAN PIONEERS 9 February

Sentence

Collect

Readings

Sentence

THE DAY OF PENITENCE March / April

Collect

Readings

Sentence

BROTHER GEOFFREY SSF Missionary Friar, Founder of the Australian Third Order Province 11 April

Sentence

Collect

Readings

Sentence

MARGARET OF CORTONA Tertiary, 1247 – 1297 16 May

Sentence

Collect

Readings

Sentence

BERNARDINE OF SIENA Friar, 1380 – 1444 20 May

Sentence

Collect

Readings

Sentence

JACK WINSLOW Missionary Priest, Writer of our Principles, 1882 – 1972 29 May

Sentence

Collect

Readings

Sentence

Principle I: The Object of Christa Prema Seva Sangha

ANTONY OF PADUA Friar, 1195 – 1231 13 June

Sentence

Collect

Readings

Sentence

BONAVENTURE Friar, Bishop, Teacher, 1221 – 1274 15July

Sentence

Collect

Readings

Sentence

JOHN VIANNEY Cure d'Ars, Tertiary, 1786 – 1859 4 August

Sentence

Collect

Readings

Sentence

THE TRANSITUS OF ST CLARE 10 August

At the Eucharist

Collect

Readings

Post Communion

Evening Prayer

Readings

CLARE OF ASSISI Founder of the Second Order, 1194 – 1253 11 August

Sentence

Collect

Readings

Morning Prayer

Eucharist

Evening Prayer 2

Proper Preface

Sentence

MAXIMILIAN KOLBE Friar and Martyr, 1894 – 1941 14 August

Sentence

Collect

Readings

Sentence

MARY, THE MOTHER OF THE LORD 15 August

Sentence

Collect

Readings

Evening Prayer 1

Morning Prayer

Eucharist

Evening Prayer 2

Proper Preface

Sentence

LOUIS King, Patron of the Third Order, 1214 – 1270 25 August

Sentence

Collect

Readings

Sentence

BROTHER DOUGLAS Apostle to the Wayfarers, First Minister of the Society of St Francis, 1878 – 1957 7 September

Sentence

Collect

Readings

Sentence

THE STIGMATA OF SAINT FRANCIS 17 September

Sentence

Collect

Readings

Evening Prayer 1

Morning Prayer

Eucharist

Evening Prayer 2

Proper Preface

Sentence

THE TRANSITUS OF ST FRANCIS 3 October

At the Eucharist

Sentence

Collect

Readings

Eucharist

Evening Prayer

Sentence

Post Communion

FRANCIS OF ASSISI, 1181 – 1226 4 October

Sentence

Collect

Readings

Morning Prayer

Eucharist

Evening Prayer

Proper Preface

Sentence

ALL FRANCISCAN SAINTS 11 October

Sentence

Collect

Readings

Sentence

ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY Tertiary, 1207 – 1231 19 November

Sentence

Collect

Readings

Sentence

FR ALGY SSF Died 1955 23 November

Sentence

Collect

Readings

Sentence

REQUIEM FOR DEPARTED FRANCISCANS 1 December

Sentence

Collect

Readings

R.I.P.

Sentence

RESOURCES FOR THE DAY OF PENITENCE

A Canticle of Repentance (based on the Prayer of Manasseh)

ORDER FOR PROFESSION, NOVICING, AND RENEWAL

EXHORTATION

PROFESSION OF TERTIARIES

RENEWAL OF THE PROFESSED

ADMISSION OF NOVICES

RENEWAL OF NOVICES

PRAYERS AFTER THE PROFESSING / RENEWALS / NOVICING.

The Rule of the Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis

(ii) The Constitution

1. The Order

2. Membership of the Order

3. The Provinces

4. Spiritual Direction and Rule of Life

5. Amendments to Constitution

APPENDIX A: THE CENTRAL FUND OF THE THIRD ORDER OF THE SOCIETY OF ST FRANCIS

OBJECTS

TRUSTEES

THE FUND

INCOME

SECRETARY AND TREASURER

CONTACT DETAILS (not part of APPENDIX A)

THIRD ORDER OF THE SOCIETY OF SAINT FRANCIS Province of Asia-Pacific Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka STATUTES

INDEX

1. ORGANISATION AND GOVERNMENT

1.1 The Province

1.2 The Provincial Chapter

1.3 Standing Committee

1.4 General Chapter

1.5 Regions

1.6 Areas

1.7 Conduct of Tertiaries

1.8 Complaints or Disputes

2. THE OFFICERS OF THE ORDER

2.1 The Officers

2.2 The Provincial Minister

2.3 The Assistant Provincial Minister

2.4 The Provincial Chaplain

2.5 The Regional Ministers

2.6 The Ministers for Regions in Formation

2.7 The Provincial Secretary

2.8 The Provincial Treasurer

2.9 The Chapter Clerk

2.10 The Novice Counsellors

2.11 Area Convenor

2.12 Provincial Communications Coordinator

2.13 Newsletter Editor

2.14 Archivist

2.15 Bishop Protector:

3. MEMBERSHIP IN THE ORDER

3.1 Degrees of Membership

3.2 Definitions

3.3 Members

3.4 Novices

3.5 Professed

3.6 Community Obedience

3.7 Financial Obligation

4 RELATIONS WITH THE FIRST AND SECOND ORDERS

4.1 The Unity of the Society

4.2 Representatives

4.3 Property