Introduction: What is a Rule

A RULE IS:

It is a spiritual document, containing the outline, the guidelines for a particular form of religious life: a specific way of living the Gospel. It is the basic document of a religious Order. On the other hand, Constitutions are legal prescriptions that spell out in greater detail and in practical ways the outline provided by the Rule. (Canon 587:3) The Rule is the skeleton, the Constitutions are the fleshing out of this. A Rule must be approved by the pope; Constitutions may be changed by a General Chapter, then approved by SCRIS. All of the approximately 430 Congregations of the TOR have the same Rule; each has different Constitutions describing their specific lifestyle, ministry, government and formation.

What are Constitutions?

CONSTITUTIONS ARE:

Legal prescriptions that spell out the greater details and in practical ways that outline provided by the Rule. (Cannon 587:3) The Rule is the skeleton, the Constitutions are the fleshing out of this. A Rule must be approved by a Pope. Constitutions may be changed by a General Chapter then approved by SCRIS. All of the approximately 430 Congregations of the TOR have the same Rule; each of the 430 Congregations have different Constitutions describing their specific lifestyle, ministry, government and formation.

Introduction

Much as in past centuries, the Franciscan ideal of life even in our times continually draws many men and women desirous of evangelical perfection and thirsting for the kingdom of God. Inspired by the example of Saint Francis of Assisi, the members of the Third Order Regular set forth to follow Jesus Christ by living in fraternal communion, professing the observance of the evangelical counsels of obedience, poverty and chastity in public vows, and by giving themselves to innumerable expressions of apostolic activity. To actualize in the best way possible their chosen way of life, they dedicate themselves unreservedly to prayer, strive to grow in fraternal love, live true penance and cultivate Christian self-denial.

    Since these very elements and motives for living the Franciscan ideal are clearly present in "The Rule and Life of the Brothers and Sisters of the Third Order Regular of Saint Francis" and since they are clearly in accord with the genuine Franciscan spirit, We, in the fullness of our apostolic authority, determine, declare and order that the present Rule have the force and importance to illustrate to the Brothers and Sisters this authentic meaning of the Franciscan life, while bearing in mind what Our Predecessors Leo X and Pius XI with the Apostolic Constitutions "Inter cetera" and "Rerum conditio" presented on this matter in their own times.

    Since We know how diligently and assiduously this "Rule and Life" has traveled its path of "aggiornamento" and how fortuitously it arrived at the desired convergence of different points of view through collegial discussion and consultation, proposals and studied amendments, for this very reason with well founded hope We trust that the longed for fruits of renewal will be brought on and be effectively binding both in the present and in the future, everything to the contrary notwithstanding.

Given at Rome, at Saint Peter's under the ring of the Fisherman, on the 8^th of December, 1982, the fifth year of our pontificate.

The Sacred Congregation
for Religious and
Secular Institutes

Rome
April 30th, 1983

 Reverend Sisters and Brothers,

In the audience the Holy Father gave me on December 17th, last year, I allowed myself to present him with the text of the "Rule and Life of the Brothers and Sisters of the Third Order Regular of Saint Francis," approved by the Sacred Congregation with a few modifications, asking him to kindly ratify it by a solemn Pontifical document, dated December 8th. The holy Father acceded kindly to my request.

I am glad to inform you that H.E. Monseigneur Martinez Somali Edouard, Substitute of the Secretary of State, by a letter prot. n.104.237, dated April 21st, has transmitted here the Brief "Franciscanum Vita Propositum," as well as a copy of the "Rule."

Rejoicing with the whole Franciscan family at this new token of kindness on the part of the Holy Father, I heartily wish that this solemn confirmation be a new stimulus for a life of generosity in the religious consecration in imitation of the holy Patriarch Francis of Assisi.

I am pleased, on this occasion, to express to you my respectful and religious wishes in Christ and His Holy Mother.