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5
Franciscan Minute
S
t. Bonaventure University is
about extraordinary goodness.
Our students, friars, faculty and
staff are committed to so many holy
endeavors that really find their source
in the teachings of the Catholic
Church. We want to pay special atten-
tion to this reality and become clear
about the connection between our
Franciscan values-driven mission and the Church,
which gives life to Franciscanism.
When Saint Francis of Assisi wanted to begin his re-
ligious order, he traveled to Rome in hopes of receiv-
ing the permission of Pope Innocent III. In those days,
the Vatican wasn't there in the way we know it today.
The Pope's cathedral is much older, and is known as
the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran. It was at the
Lateran where Francis met the Pope.
At first Innocent III rejected the poor man from As-
sisi; however, the pontiff had a vision of his cathedral
(which is the
visible symbol
of the univer-
sal church)
being held on the shoulders of young Francis. Pope
Innocent III quickly recalled Francis and gave his bless-
ing for the Order of Friars Minor to be founded. Since
that day, for more than 800 years, the Order of Friars
Minor has been in the service of the Church and the
world.
For more than 150 years, St. Bonaventure University
has been missioned in that same Franciscan project of
service to the Church and the world. This academic
year we have opened the Lateran Center for Catholic
Identity.
I am proud to serve as its executive director and on
the faculty here at our university. The Lateran Center
has been charged with a variety of initiatives. We are
looking into the many ways the Franciscan mission is
being lived out on our campus, in an effort to more
clearly represent how these are rooted in the tradition
and teachings of our Catholic Church.
We are also designing a residential discernment pro-
gram for undergraduate men who would be consider-
ing a possible vocation to priesthood and consecrated
life. Thirdly, we are in dialogue with the bishop of Buf-
Strengthening the unity of the Church
falo, many Catholic high schools, and Christ the King Seminary in an
effort to collaborate for the mission of Catholic education in our dio-
cese. The source and the spirit of our Lateran Center for Catholic Iden-
tity are prayer and adoration of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are excited to
announce that our initiatives will find their genesis in a new Eucharistic
Adoration chapel in the center of campus.
I would ask you all to keep our university community, the friars of
Holy Name Province, and our new Lateran Center for Catholic Identity
in your prayers, and I assure you of ours! I wish you peace and all good
things.
Gratefully your brother,
Br. Ross Chamberland, O.F.M.
Executive Director
The Lateran Center for Catholic Identity
Learn more about the Lateran Center
www.sbu.edu/LateranCenter
The facade of the Lateran
Basilica in Rome is pictured.
In a dream, Pope Innocent III
had a vision of Francis holding
up a shattered Basilica, which
convinced the Pope to officially
recognize the Franciscan Order.
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B O N A V E N T U R E
Taking its name from the Pope's
cathedral, the new Lateran Center on
campus will serve as a catalyst for
program development, special events,
and student recruitment