Symposium on the Formation of Franciscan Religious to be held at Catholic Theological Union
October 17, 2018
CHICAGO — Symposium on the Formation of Franciscan Religious to be held at Catholic Theological Union
The Duns Scotus Chair at Catholic Theological Union announces a three-day symposium on Franciscan formation. The theme of the symposium is “Lifelong Formation for Franciscan Men in the US in Service of God’s Mission.”
Rev. Edward Foley, OFM Cap, Duns Scotus Chair and convener of the Symposium, explains, “In the spirit of international Franciscan leadership and with the encouragement of Pope Francis, this symposium gathers Franciscan men across a wide spectrum of communities to forge new fraternal bonds and embark on even broader collaboration around the critical issue of forming Franciscan men for mission in the 21st century.”
Two of the planned symposium lectures are open to public. Both will be held at Catholic Theological Union at 5416 South Cornell in Chicago. Pre-registration is encouraged at ctu.edu/events.
Thursday, October 25, 7 pm
Presenter: Rev. Michael Perry, OFM
The current Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor will offer an open lecture followed by questions. The focus of the lecture will be the promises and demands of life-long formation in the communities of Franciscan Men in a time of intergenerational, intercultural and interobediential formational expectations and pressures. A reception will follow the lecture.
Can’t make it on Thursday? Join us on Facebook Live for the keynote by Michael Perry, OFM.
Friday, October 26, 7 pm
Presenter: Rev. John Corriveau, OFM Cap.
The former minister general of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin and recently retired bishop of Nelson BC, Canada will offer a more interactive town hall style meeting, with proposals for communal consideration, reflection and response. The focus of the conversation will be the issue of formational demands from a perspective of the needs and expectations of the larger church.
The Duns Scotus Chair in Franciscan Spirituality was endowed in 1997 through a generous gift of the Saint John the Baptist Province of the Orders of Friars Minor, Cincinnati, Ohio, in order to promote the rich spirituality of the Franciscan tradition as well as the other great spiritual resources of the Catholic heritage.
Foley, the current holder of the chair says, “The Duns Scotus chair has graced CTU in multiple ways these past 20 years. It has supported scholarship, enhanced library holdings, and provided lectures and study days around Franciscan themes. This symposium continues those contributions with a more outward glance.”
President Mark Francis adds, “Catholic Theological Union is grateful to the members of the Duns Scotus advisory board for their work in convening this important gathering. The far-reaching charism of the Franciscan order has made invaluable contributions to the life of the Church and to CTU, in particular.”
More detailed information about the symposium can be found on the CTU website.
Contact: Ron Brown, rbrown@ctu.edu; 773.371.5490
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About Catholic Theological Union: CTU is a Roman Catholic graduate school of theology and ministry. Its mission is to prepare effective leaders for the Church, ready to witness to Christ’s good news of justice, love, and peace. CTU’s 4,000 lay and vowed religious graduates are serving in 60 countries worldwide. Learn more at ctu.edu.
