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


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SBU virtual events to bless and celebrate students

May 07, 2020

St. Bonaventure University will host a number of virtual events beginning Friday, May 8, as the end of the spring semester draws near.

  1. To get students in the right frame of mind for exam week, we invite them to take a break from their studies at 8 p.m. Friday, May 8, as University Ministries offers its annual Blessing of the Brains on UMin’s YouTube channel.

  2. At 7 p.m. EST on May 8, just before the Blessing of the Brains, the Department of Athletics will broadcast its student-athlete #BonniesChoice Awards on its YouTube channel.

  3. For the seniors and graduate students earning their degrees next weekend, we will be broadcasting “A Celebration of Graduation” on the university’s YouTube channel at 2 p.m. EST on Sunday, May 17. We invite all members of our campus community to tune in.

    Graduates have until 11:30 p.m. EST today, May 7, to submit their photos to GradImages if they want a photo to be included in the slide show at the end of the broadcast. Students should have received an email from the company on Friday, May 1.

    During the broadcast, University President Dr. Dennis DePerro will announce the dates when your Commencement Weekend will be held on campus later this year.

  4. Earlier on May 17, University Ministries will conclude its series of “virtual” Masses from the University Chapel that began during Holy Week. Fr. Russel Murray, O.F.M., and Fr. Ross Chamberland, O.F.M., will concelebrate the 11 a.m. Mass, with Amanda Naujoks, director of the San Damiano Center for Pastoral and Liturgical Ministries, serving as lector. It can be viewed on UMin’s YouTube channel.

  5. At 10 a.m. EST on Saturday, May 16, our St. Bonaventure ROTC program will commission seven new second lieutenants. Their ceremony will be broadcast via Facebook Live on the Seneca Battalion’s Facebook page.

We encourage all #BONAgrad2020 students to follow the university’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts next week for event reminders, and to share their thoughts and see the thoughts of others as their college careers come to a close.