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.
As 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.
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.
We are accepting Mass intentions for the fall 2023 semester, when Masses resume.
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 Yvonne Peace or call her at (716) 375-2662.
Order Mass cards online
Photo by Kristin Marsicovetere, '10, '13
Each December, students may participate in a Franciscan Leadership Pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi through the
Franciscan Pilgrimage Program. Participation is open to students of all faith traditions.
The pilgrimage brings together leaders of various faith traditions form Franciscan colleges and universities across the U.S. to reflect on and learn form the vision and values of saints Francis and Clare of Assisi. It includes time for reflection, study, conversation, leisure, relaxation and visits to sacred Franciscan locations in Assisi and Rome.
Campus community to join in St. Francis Week celebrations at St. Bonaventure University
Sep 24, 2020 The St. Bonaventure community is invited to join together and celebrate its St. Francis Week 2020 with a week of events beginning Monday, Sept. 28.
“Come and join us in celebrating the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. There is no reason to allow social distancing to keep us apart – especially when we have Zoom!” said Fr. Russel Murray, O.F.M., vice president for Mission Integration.
Banners celebrating St. Francis have gone up around campus. Many of the scheduled programs will be presented virtually.
Francis Week 2020 schedule of events: Monday, Sept. 28- The Franciscan Coloring Contest in Friedsam Library
This event begins Sept. 28 and runs through Oct. 4. Stop at the library to pick up one or more designs for fun and informative adult coloring. The images are reproduced from Franciscan-related woodcuts from the library’s Rare Book Collection. Contest details will be available in the library.
- Franciscan Institute Publications library display
This library display, featuring works published by Franciscan Institute Publications, runs Monday, Sept. 28, through Friday, Oct. 9.
Tuesday, Sept. 29- 7 p.m., Richter Center tent
“Not to Hurt: Paying Homage to St. Francis of Assisi,” by The Chattertons slam poetry society.
Wednesday, September 30- 4 p.m. webinar (Advance registration information below)
“Early Franciscans at the University of Paris: Digging Deeper into the Tradition to Support the Gospel Life?” by Dr. Aaron Gies, a virtual event sponsored by the Office for Mission Integration and the Faculty Resource Center. Gies is a research postdoctoral fellow for the Department of Theology & Franciscan Studies and the Franciscan Institute, and a research fellow of the Collegio San Bonaventura/Frati editori di Quaracchi (Rome). He has also served as a church musician and music director for more than 20 years. This lecture is open to the public.
Thursday, October 1- 12:30 p.m., Thursday Forum, a virtual public event
“Teaching to Transgress, Learning to Transform: Toward a Franciscan Pedagogy,” by Fr. Dan Horan, O.F.M., a presentation hosted by the Office for Mission Integration and the Faculty Resource Center. Faculty and staff from St. Bonaventure will be joined by colleagues from Siena College and St. Francis College. Drawing on the wisdom of educator and cultural critic Bell Hooks’ trilogy on transformative pedagogy, this forum will explore how some of the best ways we teach and facilitate learning can align with and be informed by the Franciscan tradition.
- 7 p.m., Fr. Jerome Kelly, O.F.M., Memorial Lecture, a virtual public event
“The Stories That We Tell: Franciscan Identity, Social Justice, and the Challenges of Our Time,” by Fr. Dan Horan, O.F.M., a presentation hosted by the Office for Mission Integration and the Faculty Resource Center. This year’s lecture focuses on the importance of the significance of narrative in expressing and passing on the Franciscan tradition, while also examining how we can tell our Franciscan story to respond to the urgent challenges of our time in a constructive spirit of justice, peace, and integrity of creation.
Friday, October 2- 12:30 p.m., Finance Forum, a virtual event
Mary Beth Gallagher, executive director of IASJ.org, Investor Advocates for Social Justice, is the guest speaker for this virtual event hosted by the School of Business. Watch the Notice Board for the Zoom link.
Saturday, October 3- 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Mt. Irenaeus
A Day on the Land and Prayer in honor of the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi
- 9 p.m., The Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi
This YouTube Premiere event that will be broadcast on University Ministries’ YouTube channel. Watch the Notice Board and social media for the link.
Sunday, October 4- 11 a.m., Mass in Honor of St. Francis of Assisi, University Chapel
Fr. Russel Murray, O.F.M., vice president for Mission Integration, presider and homilist.
- 4 p.m., Solemn Mass in Honor of St. Francis of Assisi, University Chapel
Fr. Xavier Seubert, O.F.M., guardian of St. Bonaventure Friary, presider and homilist.
- Feast of St. Francis Dinner, Hickey Dining Hall (for those with dining privileges)
Sponsored by Aramark
In honor of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology, the university will go carbon neutral for the month of October. BonaResponds is spearheading this initiative. Be on the lookout for more details.