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.
Bychkov co-translates, co-edits work on The Summa Halensis
Nov 17, 2021
Dr. Oleg Bychkov, professor of theology and Franciscan studies, co-translated and co-edited with Lydia Schumacher from King’s College, London, "A Reader in Early Franciscan Theology: The Summa Halensis," published by Fordham University
Press:
https://research.library.fordham.edu/philos/26/.
This book presents for the first time in English key passages from the so-called Sum of Theology of Alexander of Hales, one of the first major examples of a theological “sum.” This systematic work of philosophy and theology was collaboratively
written mostly between 1236 and 1245 by the founding members of the Franciscan school at the University of Paris, such as Alexander of Hales and John of La Rochelle.
As the selections of this reader show, the compilers of the Sum of Alexander of Hales first articulated many positions that eventually became closely associated with the Franciscan tradition on issues such as the nature of God, the proof of God’s
existence, free will, the transcendentals, and Christology.
This book will assist anyone wishing to understand the ways in which medieval thinkers employed philosophical concepts in a theological context as well as the evolution of Franciscan thought and its legacy to modernity.