Welcome to the Franciscan Institute's Programs and Conferences website. We look forward to welcoming you to the following events. Please note that some conferences are on-campus offerings while others are offered virtually via Zoom.
IFC-TOR · International Franciscan Conference of the Institutes and Monasteries of the Brothers and Sisters of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis
General Assembly
May 10-15, 2025
Domus Pacis, Assisi, Italy
Fr. David B. Couturier, O.F.M. Cap., Mr. Jeff Papia
Franciscans and God’s Great Plan for the Repair of the World and the Renewal of Humanity
Franciscans in the Public Square
Mission-Based Caring in a Time of Isolations
Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities
AFCU Symposium
June 4-7, 2025
Viterbo University, La Crosse, Wisconsin
Fr. David B. Couturier, O.F.M. Cap., “Franciscan Mission Based Caring in Higher Education”
FOUR-SESSION SEMINAR
July 7-10, 2025
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (EST)
Cost: $40 plus purchase of book
Fr. Liam Kelly, OFM, PhD. “Poverty, Peacemaking and the Sacred: A Girardian Reading of the Early Franciscan Movement.”
Fr. Liam will take participants through his new book (by the same name), offering a vibrant and fresh reading of Francis and his movement in a way, as one reviewer noted, “that speaks persuasively to contemporary people wrestling with questions of belonging, desire, rivalry, and hope.”
Register for the Four-Session Seminar
Get your copy of Poverty, Peacemaking, and the Sacred: A Girardian Reading of the Early Franciscan Movement
THURSDAYS WITH ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI: A SUMMER BOOK CLUB
June 12, 2025; June 19, 2025; June 26, 2025
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (EST)
All sessions will be held by Zoom
Cost: $25 plus purchase of book
Dr. Andrew Belfield, PhD, Assistant Professor at St. Bonaventure University, will lead participants through a reading of three chapters of a wonderful new biography of St. Francis of Assisi by Volker Leppin, St. Francis of Assisi: The Life of a Restless Saint. Published in 2025, this book offers an invigorating and accessible look at the times and concerns of Francis and his movement from its inception to his death. Dr. Belfield is a popular new professor at the University and will bring his superb knowledge of the medieval world to life in three sessions.
SECULAR FRANCISCANS SUMMER PROGRAM
“The Franciscan Way of Bold Hope:
Caring When It’s Hardest to Care"
David B. Couturier, O.F.M. Cap., Director of the Franciscan Institute
June 14, 21, 28, 2025
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (EST)
All sessions will be held by Zoom
We are living in a time when the great democracies of the world are pulling back from their great commitment to care for those who are most vulnerable in society today. Some have called it a “crisis of care.” As Secular Franciscans, we have been caring directly and communally for the poor since the Order was first founded by Francis of Assisi in the 13th century. This three-part series will review the history and spirituality of Franciscan “caring when it’s hardest to care.” The Zoom presentations will be:
1. "The Courage to Care: Embracing Hope in Difficult Times"
Exploring the Secular Franciscan call to love and serve even when faced with suffering, division, or despair.
2. "Wounded Healers: A Franciscan Theology of Disability and Care"
Seeing disability through the lens of Franciscan spirituality—how vulnerability, interdependence, and dignity shape a compassionate practice of care.
3. "Franciscan Transformative Care: Rebuilding Communities of Hope"
Drawing from the Franciscan tradition to create healing, inclusive, and hope-filled communities—especially in times of crisis and marginalization.
A Zoom link will be provided to all those who register for this program. Register for the "Franciscan Way of Bold Hope: Caring When It Is Hardest To Care"
THE POOR CLARE ASSEMBLY
June 18-28, 2025
Prayer and Discernment: A gathering of Poor Clare Sisters from around the country.
Fr. Russel Murray, OFM, Fr. Joseph Chinnici, OFM., and others
Francis Hall
St. Bonaventure University, Allegany, NY
ST. ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY IN ART
July 7, 2025
Franciscan Institute Research Fellow, Dr. Michael Shane Harless, will deliver a public lecture at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse at 4 p.m., July 7, on his study of art and architecture dedicated to St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Europe. Dr. Harless recently received his PhD from Rice University in medieval art and architecture.
Registration link to come
THE PADUA PROGRAM
July 9-12, 2025
The seventh cohort of The Padua Program, the Franciscan Mission-Based Leadership Training, will begin their year-long internship here at St. Bonaventure University.
The program is directed by Fr. David B. Couturier, OFM. Cap., Mr. Jeff Papia, Mrs. Debi Haug, and Dr. Julianne Wallace.
Learn more about The Padua Program