Blessings Expressions of Faith
Sisters of the Third Franciscan Order Minor Conventuals
Item No.: SP112
History
The Congregation of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis in the United States was first established in 1855 by the Venerable John Neumann, Bishop of Philadelphia, upon the advice of His Holiness, Pius IX, to invite the daughters of St. Francis as teachers in the parochial schools, and as nurses in hospitals. In March, 1860, the Minor Conventuals came to Syracuse from the Philadelphia foundation under the leadership of Mother M. Bernardine, the Foundress and First Mother General.
Purpose
The special end of the Order is the personal sanctification of its members through the observance of their religious vows and the various works of charity via., elementary and high schools, hospitals, schools of nursing education, homes for the aged, catechetical centers, and a house for studies affiliated with Catholic University, Washington, D.C.
Training
The nine months of postulancy is followed by a two-year novitiate. After the completion of the novitiate, the novice makes her profession of temporary vows, which are taken for three years. Profession of perpetual vows is then made. The sisters continue the spiritual formation while taking college courses toward their academic degrees.
Qualifications
• Age: 16 to 30.
• Have the sufficient intelligence and adaptability for the specific work of the Institute.
Habit
The professed sisters wear a black habit and veil, a white collar, coronette and band, a white cord, rosary, and a pectoral cross.
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