The Franciscan Family

St. Francis of Assisi

The Diocese of Fort Worth is greatly blessed with the presence of many members of the Francisan Family: The Friars Minors, the Capuchin Friars, the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (of the Capuchin family), the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception at All Saints Parish in Fort Worth, the TOR (Third Order Regular friars of whom four provinces are represented) and several fraternities of the "Third Order." Since the TOR Friars have their origins in the "Third Order" penitential movement, I would briefly like to recap the history of the Francis of Assisi by Michael de la Bedoyere. The history of the "Third Order" reflects the fact that the call to holiness for everyone - most recently enunciated in Lumen Gentium of the Second Vatican Council - is rooted in a much earlier era in the life of the Church. In Chapter 20 of Francis of Assisi, called "Francis Draws Laymen to the Franciscan Way", we find: "We know, too, that Francis, during his travels, made many friends. These were often men and women of position and responsibility, like the lord of Montefeltro. Time and time again, he must have found people who showed that they understood him, yet could not literally follow him into his movement. The story is told of one such, a merchant of Poggibonsi, near Siena, called Lucchesio. He asked Francis to give him a special penitential rule of life, suitable to his condition in the world. Lucchesio's wife, Buona Donna, we are told, was not too pleased, but in the end, the couple devoted themselves together to good works, relying, if need be, on alms to carry out their plans for the poor and sick. Their example spread in the little towns. Those who were enrolled in a special way within the following of the saint were called 'penitential brothers' and 'penitential sisters.'"


Much later, a classification of the different types of followers of Francis became established.  The 'First Order' referred, of course, to the men who as priests or lay brothers, took the vows of religion in Francis's company. The 'Second Order' referred to the women who, under Saint Clare, lived the same rule in the cloister. The 'Third Order' naturally became the name of this loose grouping of lay followers in the world, comprising both men and women. This innovation was later to be imitated by orders." Thus, the "Third Order" movement, born out of the Franciscan Family, was also born out of the "penitential movement" of the time, and became a great source of holiness and apostolic work for lay men and lay women - married and single - who were not called to the First Order or Second Order of the Franciscan Religious Life. Yet, history also shows that as the Third Order grew and developed, new forms of consecrated religious life for men and women grew from this lay movement, even as it continued to grow and develop. Thus, we have many congregations of men and women religious who live according to the rule of the "Third Order of Saint Francis." 

Farewell Gathering at St. Bart's for Brother Paul

In the Diocese where I grew up we have the "Hospital Sisters of the Third Order of Saint Francis", and in our Diocese we are greatly blessed by the presence of the "Third Order Regular" Franciscan Friars. And, it is in this context that  I wish to publicly acknowledge the blessing of their community in our parishes and institutions, and especially thank Brother Paul McMullen TOR, as he completes his term as Pastoral Administrator of St. Bartholomew parish here in Fort Worth, and will be on a well deserved sabbatical this fall, returning to our Diocese after that to minister in another capacity. Brother Paul's teaching and leadership and pastoral care has been a great blessings to our Diocese in many ways over the years - at St. John's parish, later at St. George, and most recently at St. Bartholomew. I very much enjoyed a reflection he gave one evening on the rule of the Third Order. Recently, I attended two events back to back at "St. Bart's", the second of which was an overflow crowd for his going away reception. Thank you, Brother Paul, for your leadership, your Franciscan vocation, and your teaching and pastoral care. "Peace and All Good" and we look forward to our counting association with you in  your ministry.