Franciscans of Saint Bonaventure Province

Friars Minor Conventual

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Reflection on Postulancy

From George Harris, St. Bonaventure Postulant class of 2024-25

“I don’t know what to say, postulancy is coming to its end and the year has been entirely different than what I expected.  Which is funny, because I tried to have almost no expectations coming into it, and yet somehow, I was still wrong.  This seems to be an extremely common experience; we are all wrong about what it will be like.  Will we be praying 24/7 and learn to become ultra pious?  Will we be reading endless materials on Catholic Spirituality?  Are we going to help all the poor people of the world?  It turns out that it’s a little of all of this while also something else even more as well.

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Postulancy prepares us to be a member of the Franciscan community, which entails all of these things but also the comradery of an international brotherhood.  Meeting Friars from across the world is an unexpected bonus, learning from extraordinarily intelligent Friars who grace us with guest lectures, traveling to meet newly professed Friars and speaking with Friars with over 50 years’ experience, is all a part of this unexpected year.  The rhythm of daily prayer, Mass, ministry service, reading, community events, and dishes; endless dishes, puts you into a new world.  Yet it’s still somehow the same world you lived in before, just a better version filled with kind, helpful people.  Contributing to an 800-year-old tradition within a 2000-year-old tradition has a magical quality to it.  Change occurs gradually here, and God willing, permanently.  Whatever may happen as I move forward, I know I am better for this last year. 

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.