In the Seven Dolors of the BVM Fraternity Record Book (1915-1988), an entry dated May 10, 1931 states that there was a request to “secure at least seven subscribers among the members of the fraternity for the Franciscan Herald which is our Franciscan Organ, our notes, minutes, etc appear therein, and through a perusal of its pages, we keep abreast of the latest Franciscan activities” (p. 41).

On March 4, 1934, Fr. Juvenal, OFM advised “the securing of books and pamphlets, to distribute among the members to enliven their interest” (p. 71).  

Lastly, on September 9, 1934, a business meeting was held in which “pamphlets were distributed among the members to be read and returned at the next meeting.  Thereby introducing the Third Order Library. Miss Margaret Brunner was appointed librarian” (p. 78).  There is clear evidence that a Third Order of St. Francis library existed in the Cathedral of St Mary’s of Seven Sorrows in downtown Nashville. It consisted of pamphlets and the Franciscan Herald journal. However, no such library remains, and these publications are forever lost to the current fraternity.   

Because most parish libraries have no room to take our books and a movement by our society to more digital books, a project is underway by the fraternity to register members’ books with the fraternity. We have library cards and library card sleeves that can be provided to members who wish to bequeath their books.  We will be creating a Google spreadsheet to provide to members that will list books that will be bequeathed to the fraternity.  It will list the name of the book, author, ISBN number, and other details about the book along with the member who owns the book.  We will offer two library cards with each book so that one library card remains with the current owner of the book, and a second library card will be kept with a representative of the fraternity (either the secretary or an appointed librarian). In this way, people will be able to request to borrow a book from a member of the fraternity. If the owner of the book passes away, the books will have instructions to be received by the fraternity and books will be redistributed. In this way, the fraternity will be able to maintain a library digitally that will be entrusted to and shelved by its members. Members who transfer away from the fraternity will still retain their books, but the spreadsheet will be updated to remove books owned by that member.

The intended scope of this project extends not only to books, but also to other assets that members are willing to lend to other members “to enliven their interest.” It is strictly voluntary. In so doing, the fraternity will be applying a modified application of Holy Scripture: