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

    SBU’s Franciscan Institute appoints associate editor of Franciscan Studies

    Sep 13, 2021

    The Franciscan Institute at St. Bonaventure University has announced the appointment of Dr. Aaron Gies as associate editor of its academic journal, Franciscan Studies.

    Aaron GiesDr. Gies, assistant professor of theology and Franciscan studies at St. Bonaventure, received his doctorate in historical and systematic theology from The Catholic University of America in 2018.

    In announcing the awarding of this prestigious associate editorial appointment, Fr. David B. Couturier, O.F.M. Cap., executive director of the Franciscan Institute, reflected on Dr. Gies’ scholarship and enthusiasm for promoting Franciscan research.

    “For the past two years, Dr. Gies has served as a research fellow in the Franciscan Institute. His exceptional skills as a researcher and his talent for proofreading and assessing medieval texts for other journals made him a natural choice,” said Fr. David. “We are honored to have this young and talented scholar on our editorial team.”

    Gies is grateful for the opportunity to work for the Franciscan Institute.

    Franciscan Studies is such an important journal in the English-speaking world, not just for those of us who study Francis and early Franciscans but more broadly in the fields of medieval and modern history, theology, philosophy, spirituality, literature, etc. I am honored to have the opportunity to serve this community of scholars,” he said.

    Dr. Timothy Johnson, chair of the Franciscan Institute’s Research Advisory Council, praised the appointment.

    “Dr. Gies’ disciplinary expertise and links with national and international scholars alike assures that Franciscan Studies will remain a preeminent academic journal for those interested in the wide ranging worldview of those inspired by Francis of Assisi down through the centuries,” he said.

    Gies will be working with Dr. Jean-François Godet-Calogeras, general and managing editor of Franciscan Studies.

    “Dr. Gies is part of a young generation of talented scholars that will continue to carry on valuable and diversified Franciscan research,” said Godet-Calogeras.

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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 2019, St. Bonaventure was named the #1 regional university value in New York and #2 in the North by U.S. News and World Report.