The Franciscan Institute, on the campus of St. Bonaventure University, engages in two principal areas of scholarly concern: research and publication. A quick look at these components of the Institute will give a better idea of the extent and richness of the work of the Franciscan Institute.
Research
The Franciscan Institute was founded as an international center of research on the Franciscan intellectual tradition with the highest standards of scholarly production. For the first decades of its existence, the research team of the Institute had dedicated its energies to preparing the critical editions of the works of William of Ockham and Adam of Wodeham. More recently, it turned its attention to completing the philosophical works of John Duns Scotus — a project in collaboration with scholars at The Catholic University of America. It continues research projects on Peter of John Olivi, the works of St. Bonaventure, and Alexander of Hales.
Such projects have been possible due to the fact that the Franciscan Institute Library boasts the largest and finest collection of Franciscan sources in North America. The world-renowned Franciscan Collection is located in Friedsam Library. While individual scholars continue to pursue their own research projects on site, further collaborative ventures are soon to be announced.
Research Agenda 2018-2019
The research work of the Franciscan Institute is guided by the Executive Director of the Franciscan Institute, Fr. David B. Couturier, OFM. Cap., and developed by a team of international Franciscan scholars led by Dr. Timothy J. Johnson, PhD, a Bonaventure scholar and the Craig and Audrey Thorn Distinguished Professor of Religion at Flagler College.
The Research Advisory Council (RAC) for the Franciscan Institute meets regularly to develop multi-year proposals for series of symposia/workshops that are held at the Franciscan Institute in conjunction with the Feast of St. Bonaventure on July 15th.
In the 2015-2017 cycle, the Franciscan Institute sponsored three major conferences on the following subjects: (1) An introduction to the theology and economic work (contracts) of Peter of John Olivi; (2) Women in the Franciscan Tradition: Medieval and Beyond (3) Bonaventure as Frater, Magister, Minister et Episcopus. These workshops were attended by hundreds of established and emerging Franciscan scholars, both lay and religious from around the world.
The second cycle of new symposia and workshops begins with the 2019 Bonaventure conference, July 15-17, 2019 with — a symposium entitled:
Quid Enim Dicunt:
Mendicant Theologies before Aquinas and Bonaventure
July 15-17, 2019
The event will bring together scholars from around the world. We are especially excited to welcome new and emerging scholars in the field of Franciscan studies. The theme of the conference is described below.
Publication
Known for many years for its critical editions of leading medieval Franciscan philosophers and theologians, Franciscan Institute Publications has more recently endeavored to make available to a wider reading public the very best of modern scholarship on the history, spirituality and intellectual tradition of the Franciscan movement.
The newly reinvigorated Bonaventure Texts in Translation Series is a case in point. The latest online version of the FIP catalog reveals a good number of monographs, translations and several new scholarly series that attempt to bridge the medieval and contemporary worlds.
Research and Publication Updates
- New books in production: LEARN MORE
- Summer 2018 at the Franciscan Institute.
- The Franciscan Institute sponsors a St. Bonaventure graduate in joint theological venture with Boston College: LEARN MORE
- Fr. David Couturier presents two conferences in Quebec: LEARN MORE
- Dr. Joshua Benson, Associate Professor of Historical and Systematic Theology at Catholic University of America, has been named Chair of the Department of Theology and Franciscan Studies at St. Bonaventure University. Dr. Benson begins his duties Aug. 1, 2018.