On Thursday, August 3, 2023, the first part of a formation course on Franciscan Studies entitled “In the Footsteps of Francis and Clare of Assisi” concluded.
This online course started in January of 2023. It was created by the Pontifical Faculty of St. Bonaventure in Rome (Seraphicum) for the entire Franciscan Family of Latin America. The course has proven to be a real success, both in terms of the number of participants and the quality of the content offered.
The participants attended from practically every country in Latin America. In addition, there were some students from the USA and Spain. It has been very gratifying to see so many monasteries, friaries, novitiates, post-novitiates and Secular Franciscan fraternities get online each Thursday to participate. The course lectures were delivered by a faculty composed mostly of members of the three major Franciscan obediences. They proved to be masters of their subjects in each of the thematic areas that were covered. Thus, the course was able to give a solid and serious general overview of Franciscan Studies.
The second part of the course will begin in January of 2024. At that time, there will be additional institutional support from the Pontifical Antonianum University in Rome (Friars Minor). The Antonianum and the Seraphicum will partner in offering the course. Individuals or fraternities who did not attend the first part of the course will also be able to enroll. The registration period runs from September 20 to December 20, 2023. The full calendar and schedule for next year will be posted soon on the Faculty website at:
https://www.sanbonaventuraseraphicum.org/.
In conclusion, let us quote one of the participants who evaluated this course: “We are grateful that we did not have to go to the Seraphic Father; instead, the Seraphic Father came to us.”
Friar Marcos A. QUESADA NAVARRO
