St Anthony of Padua High School - Paduan Yearbook (St Louis, MO)

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EI IEII IEII IEII IEI IEI IEI IEI IEII IEII IEI IE Third Order of St. Francis E Where Priceless Riches Abound E Lay not up to yourselves treasures on earth .... But lay up to yourselves treas- ures in heaven: where neither the rust nor the moth doth consume, where thieves do not break through nor steal. Matt. 6, 19-20. The Third Order was founded by St. Francis of Assisi to enable seculars, while living in the world, to attain speedily and easily unto great sanctity of life by the observance of cer- tain rules whose obligations are now very light. These rules were considerably mitigated in 1883 by Pope Leo XIII, who was a member of the Third Order, when they were adapted to the requirements of the times. Its purpose, declares a Protestant admirer, was, in all simplicity, in all sincerity, to pro- mote the purity of common life: to sanctify, by actlve practice of all Christian virtues, the troubled and disturbed existence which most men and women have to live in the midst of an uneasy world: and to make all work prac- ticable. and all patience possible, by impress- ing upon the minds of the laboring and heavy- laden a constant sense of the aid of Christ, and the presence in the midst of all their mor- tal enemies. oppressions, and perils, of that one unfailing though unseen Friend. M After St. Francis had founded the Friars Minor for men, and the Poor Clares for women, both of these Orders requiring vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, he was requested by a wealthy Italian merchant to furnish him with a rule of conduct by following which he would be enabled to lead a holy life, although his calling obliged him to live in a corrupt world and to be exposed to its dangers and tempta- tions. The Saint gave him a rule of life which was soon adopted by other persons. The Third Order of St. Francis was thus founded, about the year 1221, when St. Francis received. as the first Tertiaries, Blessed Lucius and his wife, Blessed Bona-Donna. Its members lived in the world and wore a gray habit fastened round the waist with a cord, This Third Order, with some alterations, was confirmed by the Holy See and spread rapidly throughout Christen- dom. Members of the Third Order are entitled to wear a religious habit and are subject to a superior. This habit consists of a religious small brown scapular easily and conveniently worn as a token of penance under their upper garment, as a part of the religious dress, and a small cord as a girdle of purity. The cord and the scapular are given to the postulant as soon as he is admitted as a novice, and must be faithfully worn under penalty of being of the great religious privileges deprived granted to novices and members . No one is admitted to noviceship before the completion of the fourteenth year. Married women are not admitted without the knowl- edge and consent of their husbands. All candi- dates must be of good moral character. of a peaceable disposition, and must be exact in the practice of their holy religion and of tried obedience to the Church. After one year's probation. the novice is professed. The formula of profession, which is very simple, is as follows: In the presence of Almighty God, in honor of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, of Blessed Father Francis, and of all the saints, I promise to observe all the time of my life to com- mandments of God and the Rule of the Third Order, instituted by the same Blessed Fran- cis, according to the form approved by Nich- olas IV and Leo XIII also to satisfy. at the pleasure of the visitor. for transgressions com- mitted against the same Rule. Thus, the profession in the Third Order is not a, vow but a promise which, while not ln- volving any new obligation, binds the members more closely to the service of God. This promise is in force by virtue of its acceptance by the Church and of the fidelity which all honorable men and women attach to their word of honor. The rule of the Third Order is not strictly preceptlve. but is merely directive: hence it does not of itself bind under pain of sin. If faithfully observed, it is capable of leading members to a high degree of sanctity, for it is nothing more nor less than the pre- cepts of the Gospel applied to the conditions of the people living in the world. What ls the consoling reward promised to every true child of St, Francis? Heaven itself is the promised reward, for the priest, im- mediately after accepting the profession of the Tertiary. replies as follows: And I. on the part of God, if thou observest these things, promise thee life everlasting. The obligations of the Rule are very light. All practical Catholics are obliged to live de- cent and clean lives. It should not be at all difficult, therefore, for any practical Catholic to obey the commandments of God and the 'precepts of the Church: the avoid faction and quarreling: to observe moderation in food, drink. and clothing: to avoid luxury and to refrain as far as they can from the dangerous seductions of dances and the theatre: to fast twice a year, on the eve of the feast of St. Francis and of the Immaculate Conception: to approach the Sacraments every month: to re- cite twelve Paters. Aves, and Glorias daily: to hear Mass. if possible. every day: to attend the monthly meeting, which consists of a reci- tation of certain prayers, a short sermon. and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament: to assist those of their fellow-members who are ln dis- tress. Anyone unable to perform one or more of these obligations may be dispensed. No practical Catholic should consider these obligations burdensome in view of the wonder- ful graces xvithin such easy roach of the faith- ful members of the Third Order who can gain a plenary indulgence. under the ordinary con- IEI IE! IEII IEII IEII IEI IEII IEII IEII IEI IEIY Seventy-three