St. Bonaventure University

The Franciscan Institute at St. Bonaventure University has successfully concluded its 2026 summer programs, bringing together scholars, friars, lay leaders, ministers and students from around the world for a season of study, reflection and celebration rooted in the rich Franciscan intellectual and spiritual tradition.

This summer’s programs highlighted the institute’s ongoing commitment to forming leaders equipped to address today’s challenges through the wisdom and values of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi.

Among the featured offerings was “Franciscan Decision Making,” an intensive course taught by Dr. Rod Hewlett, which explored a distinctive Franciscan approach to discernment, leadership and collaborative decision-making. Participants examined how Franciscan values — including humility, fraternity, listening and the common good — can guide leaders in organizations, ministries and communities.

The institute also hosted a summer book club centered on Fr. David Couturie’s “A New Moral Imagination: The Way of Francis and Clare.” Through thoughtful discussion and reflection, participants explored Couturier’s vision of a Franciscan moral imagination that calls individuals and institutions to cultivate relationships marked by compassion, justice, creativity and hope.

A significant milestone of the summer was the welcoming of the eighth cohort of the Padua Program, a Franciscan mission-based leadership program.

Designed for leaders serving Franciscan-sponsored ministries and organizations, the Padua Program continues to prepare executives and emerging leaders to integrate Franciscan values into governance, organizational culture and strategic leadership. The newest cohort joins a growing international network of more than 150 graduates committed to leading with wisdom, service and mission.

The summer also featured a two-day International Conference on Franciscan Leadership, which gathered scholars, practitioners, religious and organizational leaders to explore the distinctive contributions of the Franciscan tradition to contemporary leadership. Presentations and conversations examined servant leadership, synodality, collaboration, organizational ethics and mission-driven decision-making, demonstrating the enduring relevance of Franciscan insights for today’s institutions.

In a particularly historic gathering, the Franciscan Institute welcomed more than 70 Capuchin, Conventual, and Order of Friars Minor (O.F.M.) friars to the campus for an assembly commemorating the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi.

The gathering provided an opportunity for prayer, dialogue, fraternity and shared reflection as members of the First Order prepared to celebrate this landmark jubilee in the life of the Franciscan movement. The assembly underscored the unity shared among the Franciscan families and their common commitment to carrying forward the Gospel vision of St. Francis into the 21st century.

“The breadth of this summer’s programs demonstrates the Franciscan Institute's unique role as a center for scholarship, formation, and leadership,” said Fr. David Couturier, O.F.M. Cap, director of the Franciscan Institute. “From academic study and spiritual reflection to executive formation and international collaboration, these programs continue to strengthen the global Franciscan community while equipping leaders to respond faithfully and creatively to the needs of our world.”

The Franciscan Institute leadership extends its gratitude to the faculty, presenters, participants, benefactors and staff whose dedication made this summer’s programs a resounding success. As preparations begin for the coming academic year, the institute remains committed to advancing Franciscan scholarship, cultivating mission-based leadership, and fostering communities shaped by the enduring witness of St. Francis and St. Clare.

For more information about the Franciscan Institute and its upcoming programs, visit www.sbu.edu/franciscaninstitute or contact the institute at 716-375-2062.