Third Order Regular of St. Francis

The Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Penance traces its foundation to the Third Order Secular begun by St. Francis of Assisi in 1221 for people living in the world and desirous of Christian perfection. In time many of these tertiaries left their homes to live either in hermitages or in common, bound by traditional religious vows. The first official approval was given by Nicholas V (Jul. 20, 1447) in the apostolic letter Pastoralis officii with the recommendation that the tertiaries constitute themselves as a mendicant order.

From the description of Francescani osservanti, 1728-1780. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 145567939