Student volunteers pause for a photo at the Empty Bowls & Baskets Dinner and Auction.

St. Bonaventure University

University Ministries


University Ministries welcomes students of all religious affiliations to participate in a variety of opportunities for spiritual growth, service learning, social action and community building.

Pictured_The McGinley-Carney CenterAs the nation's first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure affirms the unique dignity of every person and invites everyone into a community of  acceptance and understanding. All are welcome here.

University Ministries is the focal point for forging these loving bonds of belonging, and for extending this sense of community beyond our campus borders. We strive to share God's unconditional love, particularly with marginalized populations — the needy, ignored and excluded.

We're located in the McGinley-Carney Center for Franciscan Ministry (pictured), located in the center of campus. Opened in 2017, the center houses offices, an interdenominational prayer tower, a great room for student gatherings, and kitchen facilities.

We are committed to transforming the lives of our students inside and outside of the classroom, inspiring in them a lifelong commitment to service and citizenship.

Our liturgical life, centered around Sunday Eucharist, invites all members of the Bonaventure community to join in various liturgical ministries and many prayer opportunities.

Franciscan Center for Social Concern


Your hub for service-learning, whether it's feeding the hungry, befriending a child, or visiting with a senior citizen. Be a leader in service to others.

The FCSC

Mt. Irenaeus


The resident friars of this Franciscan community near campus welcome all to relax, hike, garden, sit and talk, or share a home-cooked meal. A special ministry, a special place.

Mt. Irenaeus

Faith formation, worship & ministry


We invite all into the life of the Catholic Church, with liturgical programs, sacraments, worship experiences and opportunities for spiritual growth.

Faith, worship & ministry

Mass Card Requests


Mass intentions to honor the living and remember the deceased may be ordered online.

A donation to the Franciscan Friars of $15 is suggested for each Mass intention requested. We can accept up to two intentions for each Mass.

During the academic year, the Franciscan friars offer daily Mass at 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Great Room of the McGinley-Carney Center for Franciscan Ministries. Sunday Masses are offered in the University Chapel at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

You may choose from a selection of cards and make your donation online. (Card #1 is the Mass card for deceased; Cards # 2 and 3 are Mass cards for the living). We will send you a confirmation with the date that the Mass will be offered, and, if you desire, we will inform people in the university community.

We welcome your Mass requests.

For questions or more information, please email Brian Negron or call him at (716) 375-2662.

Order Mass cards online


News-Publications-Research- Banner

St. Bonaventure ranked among nation’s best by Princeton Review; No. 5 for race/class interaction

Aug 06, 2019

St. Bonaventure University has again been named one of the nation’s “Best 385 Colleges” by The Princeton Review, and continues to climb the rankings for how well students from different backgrounds get along.

St. Bonaventure jumped all the way to No. 5 nationally (up from No. 14 in 2019) on the “Lots of Race/Class Interaction” list, which examined how easily and frequently different types of students interacted.

In revamping its general education curriculum, St. Bonaventure now requires freshmen to take a one-credit course examining issues of diversity in a contemporary context. The course allows students to engage in better-informed dialogue about current events and engage more actively as citizens of the modern world.

“Our people have worked very hard over the last decade to make St. Bonaventure a truly welcoming environment for all of our students so to see our students recognize that effort in this survey is gratifying,” said Dr. Dennis DePerro, university president. “That doesn’t mean we will rest on our laurels. Creating an environment where students from a wide range of backgrounds feel comfortable and respected takes vigilance on a daily basis.”

St. Bonaventure’s campus radio station, WSBU-FM, was ranked again among the top 10 college radio stations, coming in at No. 2. The station has been ranked in the top 10 for more than 20 years.

Only about 15 percent of the nation’s 2,500 four-year colleges are profiled in the college guide, which was released today.

“We chose these schools because they all offer outstanding academics,” said Robert Franek, Princeton Review’s editor-in-chief and author of the annual college guide, now in its 28th year.

St. Bonaventure students told The Princeton Review that SBU had great career services and academic programs, classroom and lab space, and library and recreation facilities. The university, students said, has “an enormously huge heart” and provides “a well-rounded college experience that allows us to feel confident after graduation.”

Students also praised the university’s faculty, who come equipped with real-world experience and spark students’ interest in a variety of academic disciplines. “Every single teacher goes out of their way to help students in any way they can,” students said.

St. Bonaventure students also lauded the close-knit campus culture, where students “look out for each other both during and after our collegiate careers.”

The guide includes detailed profiles of the colleges with rating scores for all schools in eight categories, plus ranking lists of the top 20 schools in 62 categories based on The Princeton Review’s surveys.

The Princeton Review is an education services company known for its test-prep courses, tutoring, books, and other student resources. The company is not affiliated with Princeton University.

______________

About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, we believe in the goodness of every person and in the ability of every person to do extraordinary things.  St. Bonaventure University cultivates graduates who are confident and creative communicators, collaborative leaders and team members, and innovative problem solvers who are respectful of themselves, others, and the diverse world around them. Named the #3 best college value in the North by U.S. News and World Report, we are establishing pathways to internships, graduate schools and careers in the context of our renowned liberal arts tradition.