Students and friars offer a blessing before a meal at Mt. Irenaeus, a Franciscan mountain community near campus.

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 Center for Franciscan Ministries buildingAs 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.

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


St. Peter's Square in Rome, Italy
Photo by Kristin Marsicovetere, '10, '13

Franciscan Leadership Pilgrimage


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.
  • News-Publications-Research- Banner

    Osborne named director of rugby at St. Bonaventure

    Sep 10, 2021


    The men and women of SBU Rugby
    Tui Osborne has been named director of rugby at St. Bonaventure University.

    Osborne, along with men’s assistant Danny Neighbour, will coach the women’s team this fall as a search for a new head women’s coach begins.

    “I’m excited by this opportunity to have the men and women under one program so we can build a unified culture with common goals,” Osborne said.

    A two-time national champion as coach at Life University, Osborne has been the men’s head rugby coach since 2016.

    The men wrap up their slate of nonconference friendlys against visiting Syracuse Saturday at 1 p.m.; the game will be livestreamed on ESPN+. The Bonnies defeated Buffalo RFC, Colgate and had an impressive 45-27 home win over a strong Mount St. Mary’s club on Sept. 4.

    The Bonnies compete in one of the nation’s toughest conferences, Rugby East, which features four teams — Army, Kutztown, Navy and Penn State — ranked in the top 12 nationally for all D-1A conferences; the Bonnies are ranked 21st, up four spots after their win last Saturday.

    Rugby East is now a member of National Collegiate Rugby. The Bonnies are ranked 4th in NCR’s preseason poll.

    “Beating the Mount was a good win for us, and gives us some confidence as we head into league play next Saturday at Navy,” Osborne said. “But we still have plenty of work to do. You just can’t take a day off in this league. Every game is a significant challenge.”

    The women open regular season play at 11 a.m. Sept. 25 vs. Fredonia at 11 a.m. as part of a Family Weekend rugby tripleheader. The men host Army at 1 p.m. and the JV men play immediately after.

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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.