The rule and ceremonial of the Third Order of St. Francis is a guide for lay people who wish to live a Franciscan way of life. This book outlines the prayers, practices, and beliefs of the Third Order, which was founded in the 13th century. This edition, based on the Constitution of Leo XIII and the Decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites, provides a clear and accessible introduction to this important aspect of Franciscan spirituality. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.