Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular
Contact
Fr. Jonathan McElhone TOR
131 St. Francis Drive
P.O. Box 137
Loretto, PA 15940
vocations@franciscanstor.org
www.FranciscansTOR.org
Dioceses
Altoona-Johnstown, PA Arlington, VA Fort Worth, TX Pittsburgh, PA St. Petersburg, FL Steubenville, OH Toledo, OH
Mission
“The form of life of the Brothers and Sisters of the Third Order Regular is this: to observe the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by living in obedience, in poverty, and in chastity. Following Jesus Christ after the example of Saint Francis, let them recognize that they are called to make greater efforts in their observance of the precepts and counsels of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let them deny themselves as each has promised the Lord.” - TOR Rule, Article 1
For Francis, the foundation of this life was the fraternity, the community of brothers living together and seeking holiness. From this foundation flowed the work of ministry. Likewise, our fraternal life is the foundation and from it flows the ministry of our community. The core of fraternal life is devotion to the Eucharist and prayer. The life of community is also built up by sharing in common meals, common practices of penance, recreation together, and sharing in ministries,
Our primary charism of ongoing conversion is a focused living out of the universal call to holiness all Christians have received by virtue of their baptism. Through this charism we seek to witness to the world an achievable path of holiness whereby all are called to sainthood. We work together day by day to grow in holiness, to become more fully conformed to the heart of Christ, and to serve the Catholic Church.
We discern which ministries God is calling us to through prayer, the needs of the Church, and what gifts we have to offer. This can take many forms, but the fraternal life is always the foundation as it was for Saint Francis. Following the tradition of the Third Order of Saint Francis, our ministries follow the pattern of the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. Our friars serve in the areas of: teaching, education administration, parishes, university campus ministry, evangelism, hospitals, retreats, and more.
Qualifications
Franciscan TOR’s consider single, Catholic men between the ages of 21-40 for admission to our formation program. Franciscan life is deeply meaningful but extremely challenging. Many are called, few are chosen. The admission process helps the Vocation Team assess if God is truly calling you to join our community after the example of Francis of Assisi. Perspective men should be: mature, rooted in the Catholic faith, well integrated and have demonstrated successful use of their time (further education or work) between graduation from high school and requesting admission to our community. Candidates should be strongly motivated towards service of the Church and the Franciscan community, while open to further formation in human development and spirituality. All prospective candidates should first contact the vocations director for initial conversations. At an appropriate time, prospective men will be invited to attend a “Come and See” weekend to further their discernment while allowing the community to join them in discernment. Following these weekends, an application may be extended to those men who are discerned to move forward towards entry in the community.
Formation
Postulancy, as the first stage of formation normally lasts for 9 – 10 months. It is followed by a year Novitiate after which men will profess vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience for 3 years. During the time of temporary vows, men will further their studies (towards priesthood or if on a brotherhood track, towards other disciplines). Vows are renewed for a 4th year, often accompanied by fulltime ministry during this year. Solemn vows are typically professed after 4 years of temporary vows. For those seeking priesthood, once requirements are completed, ordination takes place.
Province
Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Belated Vocations
Rarely, but on a case by case basis.