Third Order Membership in Cordi-Marian Fathers

Historically many, many centuries ago, Lay People, who were the founders and/or benefactors of monasteries of Religious men and women, were received into a Spiritual fellowship by such monasteries of Religious. This spiritual fellowship came to be called a Third Order.

However, secular Third Order members continued to live secular lives in the world unlike those who made a formal Religious profession of vows, who normally lived a community life, and who externally wore a Religious Habit of some kind.

Generally speaking, this secular Third Order Spiritual fellowship brought with it a number of Spiritual benefits to its Lay members which included a participation, i.e. a sharing, in the good works, primarily the Spiritual good works, of the monastery and permission to wear a modified Religious Habit on certain Feast Days, or during some time set aside for praying and/or meditating, but only in the privacy of their own home. The members of such secular Third Orders were called Tertiaries.

Today there are both Religious Orders and Religious Congregations. Yet both Religious Orders and Religious Congregations have what are called First Order members and Second Order members and some of them also have Third Order members.

Cordi-Marian Fathers

In keeping with the original spirit of that special Spiritual fellowship which Spiritual relationship developed between those Laity, of so many centuries ago, who were the founders and/or benefactors of monasteries of Religious and those monasteries of Religious, the Religious Congregation known as Cordi-Marian Fathers offers such a special Spiritual fellowship to those Laity who become official benefactors of Cordi-Marian Fathers.

Spiritual Benefits of Active CMF Tertiaries

Active Cordi-Marian Fathers Tertiaries share in the Spiritual good works of Cordi-Marian Fathers, just as do the Tertiaries of whatever other Religious Orders and Religious Congregations which have secular Third Orders for the Laity who live in the world. In addition, each active Cordi-Marian Fathers Tertiary, by just being an active Tertiary, having the intention to gain these Plenary Indulgences, and being in the State of Sanctifying Grace, daily gains one Plenary Indulgence for onself and 100 Plenary Indulgences applicable only to the Poor, Suffering Souls in Purgatory of their choice, e.g. Parents, relatives, friends, those who have no one to pray for them, etc.

Cordi-Marian Fathers Tertiaries, while not required to do so, it is recommended that they wear the small cloth white Scapular of the Immaculate Heart of Mary which has an image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on it. However, because it is very difficult to find this Scapular of the Immaculate Heart of Mary which has an image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on it, Cordi-Marian Fathers Tertiaries are permitted to make their own small cloth white Scapular of the Immaculate Heart of Mary without any image on it and wear it. Cordi-Marian Fathers Tertiaries can also substitute the wearing of the small cloth Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel for the wearing of the small cloth white Scapular of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Active Cordi-Marian Fathers Tertiaries can also gain 11 Plenary Indulgences each day, one for themselves, and 10 applicable only to the Poor, Suffering Souls in Purgatory, for wearing either the small cloth white Scapular of the Immaculate Heart of Mary or the small cloth Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Neither Scapular needs to be Blessed, although one does need to have the intention to gain these Plenary Indulgences and to be in the State of Sanctifying Grace.

The GREAT Promise!

Some of the Laity might wonder why they should become active Cordi-Marian Fathers Tertiaries since some other Religious also have Tertiaries and their Tertiaries also share in the Spiritual good works of those Religious?

What has to be the primary reason for the Laity becoming active Cordi-Marian Fathers Tertiaries, (“active” is explained on the page linked below), is known as “The Great Promise” of our Holy Father Founder, Archbishop Saint Anthony Mary Claret. Just what is this “Great Promise”?

Our Holy Father Founder, Archbishop Saint Anthony Mary Claret, asserted on various occasions to our first confreres that all of those who die as members of this Congregation shall be saved. Of course, this presupposes that such members also retain their membership in the Catholic Church as well, which understanding is implicit and pre-supposed in this Great Promise.

Holy Father Founder
Archbishop
Saint Anthony Mary Claret

Of course anyone can say anything. What is the proof? There are various testimonies which can be considered reliable regarding this wonderful Great Promise which came directly from our Holy Father Founder. Perhaps the most trustworthy of all is that of our third Superior General, Father Joseph Xifre, who was the Spiritual Director of our Holy Father Founder, Archbishop Saint Anthony Mary Claret, for more than twelve years and the Superior General for forty one years.

In his circular letter addressed to all of the members of our Congregation, dated Saturday, October 23, 1897, the future Feast Day of our Holy Father Founder, Archbishop Saint Anthony Mary Claret, Superior General, Father Joseph Xifre put into writing this magnificent promise of our Saint-Founder:

"If we keep the oath of perseverance we have taken, we have a great token of predestination in the revelation made by God to our Holy Father Founder, which we heard from his lips:

“GOD”, said he, “HAS REVEALED TO ME THAT
THOSE WHO PERSEVERE IN THE CONGREGATION
UNTIL DEATH SHALL BE SAVED."

Hence, how happy all should be who have the privilege to enter into our Congregation which is this most special ark of salvation! How happy they should consider themselves and how very grateful they should be to Almighty God and our Blessed Mother who have been so favored by God and our Lady as Children of the Immaculate Heart of Mary with such a wonderful heavenly gift in the form of such a Great Promise!

They should always keep this Great Promise in their minds and in their hearts and live by it so that they may be found worthy of becoming and then remaining a member of the Congregation and enjoy this heavenly blessing and most consoling promise.

Therefore, just as active Cordi-Marian Fathers Tertiaries actively share in the other Spiritual benefits, including the Spiritual good works, of Cordi-Marian Fathers, so also then can all active Cordi-Marian Fathers Tertiaries actively share in this “Great Promise” of our Holy Father Founder, Archbishop Saint Anthony Mary Claret: God has revealed to me that those who persevere in the Congregation until death shall be saved!!!

If you would like to know how to become
an active Cordi-Marian Fathers Tertiary
(Third Order Member), please click on this link.
Thank You!

Recommendations
(These are NOT Requirements)
for Active Cordi-Marian Fathers Tertiaries (Third Order Members)

1) Daily wear the small cloth white Scapular of the Immaculate Heart of Mary or, as a substitute, the small cloth Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

2) Daily recite the traditional Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

3) Daily do some Spiritual Reading, e.g. the Bible, a biography or autobiography of a canonized Saint of the Catholic Church, etc.

4) Set aside at least 5 minutes a day for Religious devotions of your choice, and/or prayers of your choice.

5) Meditate at least 10 minutes a day.

6) Make an Examination of Conscience, followed by an Act of Contrition and a Spiritual Communion, before retiring for the night.