After a 5-year period of both discernment and formation, the Franciscan Family welcomed Christopher T. Hoar (“Chris”) into the Franciscan Third Order, on October 19^th, 2019. The Third Order (Secular) Franciscans are a community of over 350,000 clergy and laity with contemplative hearts that pursue justice, peace, and the loving care of creation. Through his profession, Chris has decided to grow further in the spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi, who recognized that lay men and women were still drawn to serve God with deeply committed hearts and lives.