FIFTH CENTENARY OF FIRST RULE OF THE TERTIARY MINORS

VATICAN CITY, APR 30, 2001 (VIS) - On the occasion of the fifth centenary of the approval of the First Rule of the lay movement of the Tertiary Minors, by Pope Alexander VI on May 1, 1501, John Paul II sent a Message to the Tertiary Minors.

In the Message, dated May 1, the Pope emphasized that, "in the many centuries of the history of the Third Order Seculars, the approval of your Rule constitutes an interesting novelty: it had never occurred, in fact, that the Rule of a First and Third Order were composed contemporaneously by the same Founder, defining in this way, from the beginning, relations and charisms."

"The happy celebration of this fifth centenary offers you the opportunity to be privileged protagonists in the new evangelization. Do not be afraid in the face of difficulties, because the Rule points out to you the necessary means to be strong and proceed secure."

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