THIRD ORDER

SECULAR FRANCISCANS

In the Cork Examiner of 24 September 1866 we read that the Third Order of Holy Trinity took part as a body in the liturgical procession at the laying of the foundation stone for the new Cork Friary. So by 1885 they were well established; it had been introduced by Fr. Edward Tommins in that same year and immediately took root. The Council met weekly and the general body assembled for Mass and Holy Communion once a month. Their observance of the Third Order Rule produced a high standard of Christian living, which gave witness and edification to the Faithful at large. Besides saying the prayers as enjoined by their Rule the Brothers and Sisters visited the sick, buried their dead, made an annual retreat and cultivated the spirit of fraternal charity amongst their members.

Robed in their habits they attended the main liturgical services in the Church and were later well represented at the Eucharistic Processions whether in Rochestown or in Cork. Matters did not always run smoothly; there were ‘ups and downs’. By 1890s the membership had declined. In a visitation dated 3-18 July 1898, Fr. Benevenutus Guy found general apathy and slip-shod manners resulting, perhaps, from lack of enthusiasm. Under his direction interest was revived, abuses rooted out, regular attendance at meetings improved, and ‘zealators’ or animators stimulated more active work in their respective areas.

Third Order Sisters came into existence probably the same time as the Brothers. Their extant Minute book going back to 1877 shows that they were well organised at that time. The number of professed varied but was well over 100; not all attended the monthly meetings, which consisted of Prayer, lecture and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. The content of the lectures was generally an exposition of some part of the Rule and reminders of the standard expected of them. They certainly practised devotion to the Sacred Heart, Our Lady and St. Francis and provided a genuine source of edification to the congregation in Holy Trinity.

It would not be easy to record the full services of these good Third Order Sisters and Brothers down the years; a service willingly given in every difficulty and often at considerable cost to themselves. They formed the back-bone of support in social work like the clothing Guild, the helping of orphans, they always solidly supported the Foreign Missions. For example in 1980 they raised thousands of pounds to build a church in Capetown; and in 1982 they were in the forefront of the work for the restoration of the Church of the Most Holy Trinity.

Vocations to the religious life came from amongst members of the Third Order; cases are recorded of sisters who left to join convents and some Brothers joined the Capuchins. In fact, of the original six young men who became members of the Third Order in 1866, two joined the First Order; Con O’Mahony, who as Br.Joseph, died in 1902 and Thomas Harte, who as Br. Felix, died in 1935. Some past Capuchins, Fr. Dominic, Br. Gabriel McGillicudy and Br. Finbarr 0’ Donovan were former members of the Third Order in Holy Trinity.