Dear Presidents, University Representatives and Leaders of Founding Congregations,
For those of you who may be interested in knowing more about Sponsorship by a Pontifical Public Juridic Person (also known as a PJP), on behalf of all the members the Governing Body of the Third Order Franciscan University Alliance, I offer the following presentation for your review.
Please know that we would be glad to visit you in person or online to discuss the ways in which our PJP could support your leadership, future planning and commitment to advancing the mission of the university entrusted to your care, its Catholic identity, its Franciscan charism and the heritage of its Founding Congregation.
This review highlights key information from the history, Statutes and implementation of our Pontifical Public Juridic Person since 2025.
Peace and all good things, Sr. Margaret Guider, OSF
The Third Order Franciscan University Alliance is a Franciscan pontifical public juridic person established at the request of Congregation of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis from Oldenburg, Indiana and the Congregation of the Third Order of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate from Joliet, Illinois.
Initial Participating Franciscan Universities are Marian University in Indianapolis, Indiana, and the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois.
The mission of the Third Order Franciscan University Alliance is to succeed to and carry on the sponsorship of the Participating Franciscan Universities from their Founding Religious Institutes and to ensure faithful adherence to the General Norms of the apostolic constitution Ex corde Ecclesiae (St. John Paul Il, 1990) and the norms governing the Application of Ex corde Ecclesiae in the United States, as approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2000, as well as to any applicable updating norms.
Insights from Ex Corde Ecclesiae
The Catholic University
By vocation, the Universitas magistrorum et scholarium is dedicated to research, to teaching and to the education of students who freely associate with their teachers in a common love of knowledge. [The letter of Pope Alexander IV to the University of Paris, 14 April 1255]
10. By research and teaching, Catholic Universities assist the Church in the manner most appropriate to modern times to find cultural treasures both old and new, nova et vetera, according to the words of Jesus [Mt 13:52].
13. Essential Characteristics:
1. A Christian inspiration not only of individuals but of the university community as such;
2. A continuing reflection in the light of the Catholic faith upon the growing treasury of human knowledge, to which it seeks to contribute by its own research;
3. Fidelity to the Christian message as it comes to us through the Church;
4. An institutional commitment to the service of the people of God and of the human family in their pilgrimage to the transcendent goal which gives meaning to life. [L'Université Catholique dans le monde moderne. Document final du 2ème Congrès des Délégués des Universités Catholiques, Rome, 20-29 November 1972, § 1.]
15. In addition to assisting men and women in their continuing quest for the truth, this research provides an effective witness, especially necessary today, to the Church's belief in the intrinsic value of knowledge and research.
In a Catholic University, research necessarily includes (a) the search for an integration of knowledge, (b) a dialogue between faith and reason, (c) an ethical concern, and (d) a theological perspective.
49. "Precisely because it is more and more conscious of its salvific mission in this world, the Church wants to have these centers closely connected with it; it wants to have them present and operative in spreading the authentic message of Christ. [Paul VI, Speaking to the participants of the International Congress on Catholic Universities, 25 April 1989, I added (n. 5): “Within a Catholic University the evangelical mission of the Church and the mission of research and teaching become interrelated and coordinated.”]
§ 2. A Catholic University, as Catholic, informs and carries out its research, teaching, and all other activities with Catholic ideals, principles and attitudes. It is linked with the Church either by a formal, constitutive and statutory bond or by reason of an institutional commitment made by those responsible for it.
Beloved Brothers and Sisters, my encouragement and my trust go with you in your weighty daily task that becomes ever more important, more urgent and necessary on behalf of Evangelization for the future of culture and of all cultures. The Church and the world have great need of your witness and of your capable, free, and responsible contribution.
From the Statutes
Sponsorship – A formal relationship between a recognized Catholic organization and an apostolic work in which the Catholic organization is responsible for, and accountable to, a higher Church authority for (i) the development and maintenance of the mission and ministry of the sponsored work as a Catholic entity and (ii) the fidelity of the sponsored work to the legislation and teachings of the Church.
What sponsorship entails
2.1 The purposes of the Third Order Franciscan University Alliance shall be
to carry on the teaching ministry of Jesus Christ, as reflected in the Gospels, in the facilities, organizations, teaching and programs of its Participating Franciscan Universities;
to ensure through its governance, policies and practices that each Participating Franciscan University operates in conformity with the teaching, discipline and law of the Roman Catholic Church;
to ensure the continuation of the vision, charism and values of St. Francis;
to provide oversight for the Catholic identity of each Participating Franciscan University.
2.2 The Third Order Franciscan University Alliance will adhere to the General Norms of the apostolic constitution Ex corde Ecclesiae and the norms governing the Application of Ex corde Ecclesiae in the United States, as well as to subsequent applicable norms.
What sponsorship entails
1. To uphold the purposes of the Third Order Franciscan University Alliance.
2. To ensure that the business and affairs of the Third Order Franciscan University Alliance and of each Participating Franciscan University are conducted in a manner consistent with the teachings, ethical principles, and laws of the Roman Catholic Church.
3. To adopt and approve the philosophy and mission of each Participating Franciscan University.
4. To provide oversight and assessment of the Catholic and Franciscan identity of each Participating Franciscan University.
5. To ensure compliance of each Participating Franciscan University with the apostolic constitution Ex corde Ecclesiae and the norms governing the Application of Ex corde Ecclesiae in the United States as well as those of subsequent applicable documents.
6. To propose amendments to the Canonical Statutes of the Third Order Franciscan University Alliance and petition for approval by the Holy See.
7. To amend the Canonical Bylaws of the Third Order Franciscan University Alliance.
8. To approve the formation program for Members of the Third Order Franciscan University Alliance.
9. To approve proposals to lease, sell, mortgage or encumber (with debt), dispose of or otherwise alienate the stable patrimony of the Third Order Franciscan University Alliance, within the meaning of canon law, when the value of the transaction exceeds the maximum amount established by the Holy See for the United States.
10. To approve the adoption of the final slate of candidates to be interviewed for the office of President of a Participating Franciscan University.
11. To approve any merger or dissolution involving membership in the Third Order Franciscan University Alliance.
12. To approve additional sponsoring religious institutes becoming participating entities in the future.
What sponsorship entails
6.1 The following actions taken by the Third Order Franciscan University Alliance shall require approval from the Holy See:
1. Amendments to the Canonical Statutes upon request of two thirds of the Members.
Any change in the purposes of the Third Order Franciscan University Alliance.
7.1 The Third Order Franciscan University Alliance shall designate a Member to be a liaison with each Diocesan Bishop of any diocese in which it exercises its canonical responsibilities.
7.2 The Bishop has the right to visit all apostolic works of the Third Order Franciscan University Alliance within his diocese. (Canon 806 §1)
What sponsorship entails FOR participating institutions
The Liaison for Mission Integration
8.4 The person appointed to this office has the right to attend meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Participating Franciscan University but without a right to vote.
8.5 The person appointed to this office also has the right to attend meetings of the Members of the Governing Body of the Third Order Franciscan University Alliance, but without a right to vote.
What sponsorship entails
Art. 2.3 Each Participating Franciscan University is an apostolic work within its local diocese. “All the works of the apostolate are coordinated under the Bishop’s direction, with due regard for their distinctive character.” (Canon 394 §1)
Art. 3.2 Appointment of Members to the Governing Body As additional religious institutes receive approval to participate in the Third Order Franciscan University Alliance, the number of Members appointed by each religious institute may be adjusted as set forth in the Canonical Bylaws.
Art. 6.2 An annual report is submitted by the Governing Body to the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life every year.
Each participating university provides an Executive Summary of the “state of the university”
to representative members of the Governing Body during an annual visit to each institution in August.
The summary is included with the Annual Report that is sent to the Dicastery on September 8th.
President (Joliet)
Vice-President (Oldenburg)
Treasurer (Oldenburg)
Sponsorship Appointee to MU Board of Trustees
Secretary (Joliet)
Sponsorship Appointee to USF Board of Trustees
Member (Oldenburg)
Member (At-Large)
Executive Director of the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities
Member (Joliet)
Executive Director of the Franciscan Federation
President Joliet Franciscans
Congregational Minister Oldenburg Franciscans
President Marian University
President University of St. Francis
Mission Liaison Marian University
Mission Liaison University of St. Francis
Board Chair University of St. Francis
Board Chair Marian University
Oldenburg Franciscans did preliminary work, later joined by the Joliet Franciscans.
TOFUA PJP is approved by the Discastery; MU/USF Boards of Trustees are informed.
First 7 members are appointed to the TOFUA Governing Body; 3 from Oldenburg, 3 from Joliet and 1 at-large.
Governing Body formally begins its work; submits first report to the Dicastery and local ordinaries; first formation retreat with all constituencies present from MU/USF.
All MU/USF documents updated; Kennedy Directory updated; member rolls off, new member appointed; first Sponsorship Visits with sponsored Universities on Campus.
“We were thrilled when the Third Order Franciscan University Alliance was finally erected by Rome in 2024, and grateful that we were able to collaborate with the Joliet Franciscans to create it. We had been trying to create a PJP for Marian University (Indianapolis) for about ten years. We wanted to assure that our Catholic Franciscan values continued to be front and center in every aspect of Marian’s mission when our Sisters were no longer able to be as involved as they had been in the past and are now. We see the PJP as the instrument for assuring that the legacy of the Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg at Marian University continues.”
“In my leadership role of a women religious institute, I am aware that virtually all of us have a responsibility, if not a mandate, to prepare for future realities which will affect religious life: membership, governance, carrying the charism, sponsorship of the ministries we have founded. As many of those issues are being shared with lay leaders in our Church, we also have a responsibility for the formation of those partners in our various religious traditions, histories, values and spirituality. When a congregation knows it will not be able to carry on these sacred duties, we must set up structures that can continue our mission. That is the role of the ministerial public juridic person, in our case the Third Order Franciscan University Alliance. I am happy to see this getting off the ground and coming into its own with a core group of dedicated lay and religious members acting on behalf of our Franciscan congregations.”
“The Marian University community is very grateful to the Vatican for approving the Third Order Franciscan University Alliance as the Public Juridic Person, through which Marian attains its official connection to the Catholic Church. We are especially thankful to our foundresses, the Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg, Indiana, for the care they have shown for the mission of Catholic higher education. Their leadership in bringing this PJP to fruition has been a continuous act of love and responsible stewardship for Marian University. We also thank the members of the PJP board for their generous, expert efforts in making the PJP operational and a source of encouragement and enriching influence on Marian’s commitment to being a great Catholic university in the Franciscan tradition.”
“The Third Order Franciscan University Alliance has proven to be an invaluable partner in fostering and advancing our University's Franciscan mission. We are grateful for the support, advocacy and the depth of knowledge this group shares with our university leadership. The PJP is a true Franciscan pioneer in steering us on this ongoing journey.”
“In the era of artificial intelligence, when human dignity is threatened by new forms of dehumanization, ours is the pressing duty to remain profoundly human. We must lovingly safeguard the grandeur of humanity bestowed upon us and revealed in its fullness in Christ, the splendor of which no machine can ever replace. True progress always stems from a heart open to others, an intelligence willing to listen, and a will that seeks what unites rather than what separates.”
Magnifica Humanitas, 15