Fr. Raffaele Pazzelli, T.O.R
3. TITLE

THE RULE AND LIFE OF THE
BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF THE
THIRD ORDER REGULAR OF ST. FRANCIS

This title, even if it is not exactly identical with any of those that preceded it (4), preserves the two essential elements of the two Rules given previously and exclusively to this <<form of life>>. The two Rules are that of Leo X of 15215 (5) and that of Pius X1 of 1927.

The two elements are:

a) this Order has always included <<brothers and sisters>>, and there was always one Rule for both;

b) the two former Rules both contain the expression <<Third Order>> and the concept of << Regular>>, even though the concept may be expressed in a different way (6). The name << Third Order>> has been one of the most common and constant terms since the time of the Rule of Nicholas IV (1289). Recently, with the new Rule approved by Pope Paul Vl (24 June 1978) the Third Order Secular has assumed the title of the <<Secular Franciscan Order.>> Based also on this decision, the Work Group at Brussels recommended using the name of <<Regular Order of St. Francis>> for the Rule. The general assembly, however, for reasons of clarity and the fact that a large number of the congregations preferred the traditional <<Third Order Regular>> decided to keep that title (7).

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4 CE G. Andreozzi, «11 Terzo Ordine Regolare di San Francesco. Nome, abito e stemma», in Ritorno a Francesco, pp. 244 ss.

5 Up until 1521 there was only the Rule of Nicholas IV (1289), which was common to both the Third Order Secular and the Third Order Regular, or those who were becoming regularized.

6 With the adjective <<Regular>> in the Rule of Pius XI, and with a circumlocution in the Rule of Leo X: < the Brothers and Sisters of Third Order of St. Francis, living in community under the three essential vows>>

7 The vote was 133 in favor; 58 against.