A vision for Franciscan life : an examination of the Third Order rule

Abstract

The dissertation is a critical reflection on the relevance of Franciscan spirituality over eight centuries with special focus on the Third Order Regular. This spirituality is rooted in the life and writings of St Francis and St Clare of Assisi and their experience of the kenotic Christ. The Franciscan charism prevails in the world today as a living response to God’s transforming love which is expressed in a ministry of loving service and solidarity with the poor and marginalised – re-enacting Francis’ radical conversion when he embraced the leper. The Third Order Regular, inspired by Vatican II which called for a return to the charism of religious founders, returned to its roots with the revised Rule of 1982 based on the writings of Francis and Clare and grounded in Sacred Scripture. The Rule’s vision corresponds with the 1996 document Vita Consecrata on consecrated life and its mission to be prophetic witnesses to Christ today.