The heart of St. Bonaventure University has always been the friars. Beginning with Fr. Pamphilus da Magliano in 1858, the Franciscan Friars have served to guide tens of thousands of young men and women toward knowledge and humility in the Franciscan tradition.

Continuing in this spirit today are the friars who work, live and pray for the success of St. Bonaventure and its many supporters. The friars bring unique skills to academic programs. As well, the friars who are priests preside at Mass and administer the sacraments. All the friars, priests and brothers, provide spiritual and personal guidance to students, faculty, staff, and alumni of all faith traditions.

In the 1970s and 1980s, there were more than 30 friars on campus. Today, a smaller group of friars calls St. Bonaventure home and resides in the friary. The decline in members of vowed religious is evident nationally and is true of St. Bonaventure. Likewise, a decrease in the number of friars corresponds to a decrease in the income to support the friary.

Your help is needed to affirm this 160-year-old Franciscan presence. 

The Friar Fund assists in providing resources in order to maintain the friars’ residence and compensate their service to the university and the local community. It also helps fund friars in formation (student friars), allowing them to experience an internship at St. Bonaventure and hopefully sparking interest in a future assignment here.

Please consider a gift to the Friar Fund to help celebrate and sustain this dedicated religious order of men who make a daily difference in the lives of all within our community.