The Third Order of Saint Francis, historically known as the Order of Penance of Saint Francis, is a third order in the Franciscan movement in the Catholic Church, and includes congregation of vowed men and women, as well as fraternities of men and women living normal lives in the world. Traditionally, these groups were known as Third Order Regular and Third Order Secular, respectively. The Franciscan Third Orders are those who live by the Third Rule of religious orders, in a religious community, or outside of a monastery, allowing people who, for whatever reason, cannot enter a religious Order, to enjoy the advantages and privileges of a religious Order. Some Church historians hold that the Secular Third Order is a continuation of the original ideal of Francis of Assisi, from which the Orders of the Friars Minor and Poor Clares were later detached. Others disagree, and insist that the Secular Third Orders were lay organizations that later became associated with Francis of Assisi. Whatever the origin, the influence of the Franciscan Third Order Secular on Medieval Europe was significant, in that admission to the Order of people from all stations of life helped to elevate them and to promote social change. Members of the Third Order Secular gather in ecclesiastical communities known as fraternities, and today the membership in the Secular Franciscan Order includes diocesan priests as well as lay people. The Third Order Regular Franciscans originated in the early 13th century from the unity of groups of penitents who were inspired by the life of Saint Francis. It wasn't until the 15th century that well-ordered religious communities of Third Order Regulars were developed. There are also sister congregations of the Third Order. Angelina of Marsciano is credited with founding the Third Order Regular for women in 1403. Unlike the Second Order Poor Clare nuns, they were not an enclosed religious Order, but rather lived under the authority of the local diocesan bishop.

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