About

This is the official website of the Fraternity of St. Ferdinand III, dedicated to supporting traditional Catholics living in the world in pursuing their salvation with greater confidence and striving for perfection as Franciscan tertiaries.

The Fraternity is also committed to assisting uncompromising traditional Catholics who wish to become Franciscan tertiaries, either by founding their own fraternity or by living as solitary members.

The current Rule of the Third Order of St. Francis was promulgated by Pope Leo XIII in the Misericors Dei Filius Constitutions of 1883, and includes a period of novitiate, a profession and a habit.

The Third Order of St. Francis was the first Third Order ever established in the Church. It has included among its members more than ninety saints and blesseds, including St. Louis IX of France, St. Ferdinand III of Castile, St. Bridget of Sweden, St. Joan of Arc, St. Charles Borromeo, St. John Vianney, St. Pius X, and many others. The explorer Christopher Columbus was also a member.

Although it cannot properly be called a religious order, since it does not include the three essential vows of obedience, poverty, and chastity, it is nevertheless an order in its own right.

Profession in the Third Order, although different from religious Profession, is a powerful means of perfection, produces real effects in the eyes of the Church, imposes duties, and grants privileges.

The Rule itself does not obligate under the penalty of sin, even venial, when it does not concern the commandments of God or the Church. Therefore, a tertiary should not confess failings in observing the Rule during Confession. However, failing to follow its prescriptions is equivalent to depriving oneself of the graces of the Third Order.

This website is administered by Brother Matthew of Versoix, O.F.M.Cap. Learn more about him on his main website: fides.pages.dev/en/about.