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.

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

Franciscan Institute at St. Bonaventure to present Ignatius Brady Lecture series

Jul 07, 2021

The Ignatius Brady, O.F.M., Memorial Endowment Lecture, presented annually by the Franciscan Institute at St. Bonaventure University, is being offered this year as a five-lecture series.
 
All lectures are free and open to the public, and all will be available on the Zoom video conferencing platform.
 
The series opens Thursday, July 15, with a 7 p.m. lecture by Dr. Timothy Johnson, S.T.D., the Craig and Audrey Thorn Distinguished Professor of Religion at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida. Johnson is a Senior Fulbright Scholar and chair of the Research Advisory Board of the Franciscan Institute.
 
Titled “Cruising Ventura Boulevard: An Introduction to Saint Bonaventure,” his talk will paint a portrait of St. Bonaventure University’s namesake, described by Johnson as “a relatively unknown, but highly influential follower of Saint Francis.” The series opener is being held on the Feast Day of St. Bonaventure.
 
The series will continue with four additional lectures held roughly every other month. It concludes with a presentation on April 14, 2022, by Fr. David Couturier, O.F.M. Cap., associate professor of theology and Franciscan studies at St. Bonaventure University and executive director of the Franciscan Institute.  
 
The Ignatius Brady, O.F.M., Memorial Endowment was established for the Franciscan Institute by the Province of St. John the Baptist, O.F.M., of Cincinnati, Ohio, to promote the legacy of research, scholarship and teaching associated with Fr. Ignatius, who was a member of the province for 60 years. The endowment stipulates that the institute is to sponsor an annual lecture in which an aspect of the Franciscan tradition is addressed by a recognized expert in Franciscan studies.
 
Brady was ordained a priest on June 9, 1937. He received a master’s degree in 1942 and a doctorate in philosophy in 1948. He focused much of his studies to detailed work on critical editions of medieval texts. At the time of his death on Aug. 4, 1990, 183 publications were attributed to him, spanning 50 years of his life, from 1937-1987.
 
To learn more about the lecture series, including dates and presenters for all lectures as well as a link to the Zoom platform, visit the Franciscan Institute website at www.sbu.edu/franciscaninstitute and click on the “Programs and Conferences” link.
 
 
 
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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure University is a community committed to transforming the lives of our students inside and outside the classroom, inspiring in them a lifelong commitment to service and citizenship. In 2020, St. Bonaventure was named the #2 regional university value in New York and #3 in the North by U.S. News and World Report.