Franciscans of Saint Bonaventure Province

Friars Minor Conventual

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Franciscan Spirituality

St. Francis’ simplicity, love for the Eucharist, and devotion to the Virgin Mary remain at the heart of our Province. This solid Catholic foundation unifies the friars as we live our 800-year tradition of Gospel fraternity and deep love for Christ’s Church.

Francis was enamored by two dimensions of God’s relationship with us. First of all, Francis was struck by the humility of God manifested in the Incarnation. The Eternal Word of God became Flesh and made His dwelling among us. Similarly, Francis was struck by the humility of the risen and glorified Christ, who makes Himself present in the bread and wine of the Eucharist.

Secondly, Francis was enamored by God’s great charity, who gave His only Son for the life of the world; a Son who later gave His life over entirely in the incredible charity of saving us from our sins.

These dimensions of humility and charity are lived out in our community life without anything of our own. In a life of poverty, we learn again that we need one another without possessing anything of our own. We can only experience humility and charity in relationship with one another as brothers.

Francis always said, “And the Lord gave me brothers.” Within the context of brotherhood, Franciscan friars strive to follow the poor and crucified Christ by living the Gospel.

blue_cross
"Blue Cross" commissioned for the lower basilica in Assisi (c. 1250)

St. Francis indicated two fundamental Gospel values as essential to the charism of the Order: 

  • Fraternity, which is a gift from the Lord (“And after the Lord gave me some brothers…”), and
  • Minoritas, which is understood as conformity to the humble servant Christ (“Let everyone, in general, be called a lesser brother. Let one wash the feet of the other”). Minoritas is a way of following the poor and humble Christ.

The Rule urges the friars to:

  • Reject power
  • Serve one another
  • Be in solidarity with the most marginalized of society
  • Foster and build peace wherever they might be
  • Embrace a continual process of self-emptying

Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Franciscan Order arose and developed under the special protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The defense of the truth of her Immaculate Conception is recognized as “the golden thread” of our Order’s history. 

In continuity with the original charism and tradition of the Order, devotion to Our Lady was spread by means of the teaching and holiness of friars like:

  • St. Anthony of Padua
  • St. Bonaventure
  • Blessed John Duns Scotus
  • St. Joseph of Cupertino
  • St. Francis Anthony Fasani
STORIES OF FRANCISCAN SAINTS & MARTYRS

St. Maximilian Kolbe

Our Franciscan identity is further shaped by the life and mission of our confrère St. Maximilian Kolbe, who became a “Martyr of Charity” in Auschwitz († 1941). We strive to further his mission of evangelization by promoting Marian Consecration and expanding Catholic media to build up the “Culture of Life.”

LEARN MORE

Click the button below to download a brochure on “Living Fully in Christ: Franciscan Discernment.”

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Franciscans of Saint Bonaventure Province

Friars Minor Conventual

6107 North Kenmore Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60660

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Safeguarding Statement

The Franciscan Friars Conventual of St. Bonaventure Province are committed to creating safe environments for children and vulnerable adults.

Every friar in active ministry must complete training in Virtus (the National Catholic Risk Retention Group) and any other safe environment compliances required by the dioceses in which they serve.

In addition, St. Bonaventure Province has its own Safe Environment Commission that oversees the implementation and monitoring of the Province’s Policies, Procedures, and Protocols for Ethical Ministry with Minors and Vulnerable Adults. 

Any allegation regarding the Franciscan Friars Conventual of this Province receives an immediate response. This includes the Province’s full cooperation with local law enforcement authorities and Ordinaries who have ecclesial jurisdiction over these matters, as well as a duly diligent investigation by a qualified third party in order to substantiate credibility.