Establishment of the Third Order

Question 1

Who did Francis’ message resonate with besides those committed to lifelong celibacy and preaching?

Answer 1

Francis’ message resonated with laypeople who sought to live like the Franciscans.

Question 2

What are the Third Orders in the Franciscan Order?

Answer 2

The Third Orders were laypeople who followed the Franciscan message, with the 1st Orders being the brothers and 2nd being the nuns.

Question 3

How did Mendicants reach towns and cities throughout Europe?

Answer 3

Mendicants could reach towns and cities throughout Europe through religious confraternities, voluntary associations that joined to pray and do charitable acts.

Question 4

What were the religious confraternities influenced by in the 1220s?

Answer 4

Many new confraternities sprung up in the 1220s, influenced by the Friars Minor and Preachers, and acted as confessors.

Question 5

What did the fraternities become officially recognized as?

Answer 5

The fraternities became officially recognized by Pope Nicholas IV as Franciscan Tertiary Orders.

Question 6

What was the significance of the religious confraternities in the Franciscan Order?

Answer 6

The religious confraternities were an excellent and efficient way of canalizing lay religious enthusiasm.