For anyone who has ever wished they could join a religious order — but couldn’t leave behind a spouse, family or obligations — there is another path.
The Arlington diocese is home to communities of Secular Franciscans, Lay Dominicans, Secular Carmelites, Third Order Norbertines, Benedictine Oblates and others — all orders whose members seek to embrace the unique charisms of their founders in daily life, while remaining outside the walls of a monastery or convent.
Canon Law classifies Third Orders as “associations whose members, while living a secular life, strive after Christian perfection by observing a papally approved rule, under the direction and spirit of a religious order” (Canon 702). According to the Institute on Religious Life, “although members, sometimes called tertiaries, are not bound by public vows, they are fully members of a religious family.”
While the terms lay, secular, tertiary and third order are often used interchangeably, a distinction is made between third order secular (in the world) and regular (in a monastery).
To join a lay, secular or third order, deep personal discernment is required, accompanied by a specific period of formation comparable to a novitiate (the period of training for a religious sister or brother before vows). Formation typically lasts several years; once concluded, a formal profession of promises is made.
St. Francis of Assisi is widely regarded as the first to offer such an opportunity to bond with an established religious congregation. His ascetic yet appealing way of life attracted many followers — not all of whom could forsake their homes and families. So sometime between 1209 and 1215, Francis made them a spiritual gift: the “Exhortation to the Brothers and Sisters of Penance” — the first set of norms for what eventually became known as the Secular Franciscan Order (whose first official rule dates to 1221).
Secular orders enrich an individual faith life, while allowing the communal embrace of a particular charism.
“That’s what is so important to me about being a Secular Franciscan,” said Gary Burton, a retired FBI employee who — as minister — leads the St. Francis of Assisi Fraternity at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Triangle. “I get to share that with my other sisters and brothers who are like-minded, and we’re all pursuing the same thing, and we support each other — and encourage each other — in that journey,” Burton reflected. “We truly are a family.”
The fraternity has 35 professed members and works closely in several outreach ministries with the four Franciscan friars who serve the parish.
Secular Franciscans — like their founder — are committed to evangelization, cherishing the earth and solidarity with the poor and marginalized. “I think we are well-positioned to appeal to young people, to be able bring them back to the church, for those very reasons,” Burton said. “The concrete things that we do in anti-human trafficking or feeding of the poor or care for creation — these are all things that young people care about.”
At the entrance of St. Patrick Church in Fredericksburg, a statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel recognizes the presence of its large Secular Carmelite fraternity — a family of orders whose spiritual heritage features St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross and St. Thérèse of Lisieux.
“We have this yearning for not only truth — but to have a deeper awareness of how rich God’s love is for us,” said Louise Desilets, Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, president of the Community of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. A hospice nurse and mother of four, Desilets characterizes Carmel’s unique charism as interior contemplation — including 30 minutes of daily silence and the rosary — paired with prayer for the priesthood and vocations. “Seeking a more clarified understanding of truth — that’s what we strive to do.”
For Lisa Julia Hill-Sutton, Order of Preachers — a professional photographer, mother and president of the Sacred Heart Chapter of Lay Dominicans at Sacred Heart Church in Manassas — the Dominican credo drew her to explore a deeper commitment.
“While many other lay groups had attractive charisms, I was deeply drawn to living out the four pillars (of prayer, study, community, apostolate) and their motto ‘to praise to bless to preach,’ ” she said.
The title “OP” — “Order of Preachers” — follows Dominican surnames, so actively sharing the Gospel is essential “and my Dominican spirituality gives me the tools to do so,” Hill-Sutton said. The fraternity has an apostolate to promote the rosary — given to St. Dominic by Our Lady in 1208 — including making and distributing the powerful sacramental locally and abroad.
And Hill-Sutton’s guidance to those wondering if they are called to a third, lay or secular order?
“I think someone should consider that they have a possible vocation to a secular order after much prayer, study, meeting others who are in the order, and going to meetings,” she advised. “But number one is prayer.”
Heatherington is a freelancer in Alexandria.
For more info
For more on third orders, go to religiouslife.com/resource/third-orders.
Secular Carmelites: ocdswashprov.org
Lay Dominicans: laydominicans.org
Secular Franciscans: secularfranciscansusa.org
