Dritter Orden#

Third Order, religious organisation affiliated to an already existing order. There are (a) Regular Third Orders (e.g. Elisabethians) whose members (Regular Tertiaries) live in communities and (b) Secular Third Orders (the Franciscans, Dominicans, etc.) with members from various classes and professions (Secular Tertiaries); they observe the rules of the order and after a trial period (novitiate) make a solemn promise for life.