Franciscan School of Theology

On this Feast of Saint Clare, we remember her blessing.

I bless you during my life and after my death, as I am able,
out of all the blessings, with which the Father of mercies has blessed
and will bless His sons and daughters in heaven and on earth
and which a spiritual father and mother have blessed
and will bless their spiritual sons and daughters.
Always be lovers of your souls
and those of all your sisters.
And may you always be eager to observe
what you have promised the Lord.
May the Lord always be with you
and may you always be with Him.

The Blessing (1253)
Image: Simone Martini, Lower Basilica San Francesco, Assisi

Feast of Our Lady of the Angels of the Portiuncula

The city known as “LA” was first named Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de la Porciúncula by Franciscans. They named it for the little chapel that Francis of Assisi loved so well.

Happy Feast of Our Lady of the Angels of Portiuncula!

(First Image from the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles, CA)

Thinking about taking the next step? We’d love to meet you.

Join us for our Virtual Information Session on Thursday, August 6, at 6:00 p.m. (PT) to learn more about our online and on-campus programs, and have your questions answered.

Whether you’re discerning your next academic step or simply exploring your options, we’re here to help. We hope you’ll join us!

Register Here! https://www.fst.edu/events/thinking-about-fst/

Join us on August 5 at 7 PM for the last lecture in our St. Francis Jubilee Year: A Summer of Hope and Renewal Speaker Series.

St. Francis of Assisi's Encounters with Women
Sr. Juliet Mousseau, RSCJ, PhD

The life of St. Francis of Assisi is filled with encounters with his brothers and with the natural world. What about the women? Francis used feminine language abundantly when talking about God and the world. So, what were his encounters with actual women like? What can they tell us about his attitudes and his human relationships?

📍 University Ministry Center (next to the Immaculata Church)
🕖 August 5 | 7:00 PM

Register here: https://www.fst.edu/events/st-francis-jubilee-year-a-summer-of-hope-and-renewal-speaker-series/

More than 2 million people are incarcerated in the United States, and prison chaplains are often the only spiritual care providers many of them will encounter.

Prison chaplaincy is a ministry that requires graduate-level theological education, Clinical Pastoral Education, interfaith competency, and the emotional resilience to accompany people through crisis, grief, and moral complexity in incredibly challenging circumstances.

Our latest blog post explores the full scope of prison chaplaincy, including the duties, training requirements, salary, legal considerations, and how to enter the field.

Read it now on our blog: https://www.fst.edu/prison-chaplain/

What Is a Prison Chaplain? More than 2 million people are incarcerated in the United States, and prison chaplains are often the only spiritual care providers many of them will encounter. Prison chaplaincy is a ministry that requires graduate-level theological education, Clinical Pastoral Education, interfaith competency, and....

On July 19, Franciscans celebrate the memory of Saint John of Dukla, a noted friar preacher and pastoral leader.

For more information about this zealous preacher and wise confessor, see our blog: https://www.franciscantradition.org/blog/saint-john-of-dukla-patron-of-poland-and-lithuania/

This image of John was displayed at the time of his canonization in 1997.

Join us on July 22 at 7 PM for the next lecture in our St. Francis Jubilee Year: A Summer of Hope and Renewal Speaker Series.

Pope Francis, Ecology, and the Eucharist: A Franciscan Liturgical Vision of Caring for Our Common Home
Chris O’Brien, PhD

The legacy of St. Francis of Assisi lives on, and has been particularly highlighted by the two most recent popes, Francis and Leo XIV. This talk will explore Pope Francis’s thought on the relationship between Eucharist and ecology, especially as articulated in his encyclical, Laudato Si’, and in his apostolic letter on liturgical formation, Desiderio Desideravi. It will also briefly reflect on Pope Leo and the “Mass for the Care of Creation” released in July 2025.

We look forward to welcoming you for an evening of thoughtful reflection and conversation.
Register here: https://www.fst.edu/events/st-francis-jubilee-year-a-summer-of-hope-and-renewal-speaker-series/

Want to deepen your faith while you’re folding laundry? Driving to work? Raking leaves? There’s a podcast for that.

From progressive theology to biblical insights and social justice-oriented discussions, here are 29 excellent and thought-provoking podcasts for pastors, scholars, and spiritual seekers: https://tinyurl.com/2xsnn8k5

29 Best Theology Podcasts You Should Be Listening To From progressive to scholarly to challenging, here are 29 of the best theology podcasts you should listen to now.

Rooted in humility. Guided by love. Inspired by St. Francis. 🌿

Thank you to everyone who joined us last night for an evening of reflection with Angela Zautcke, PhD.

We are grateful for this growing community and look forward to gathering again for our next lecture on July 22.

Pope Francis, Ecology, and the Eucharist: A Franciscan Liturgical Vision of Caring for Our Common Home with Chris O’Brien, PhD
https://www.fst.edu/events/st-francis-jubilee-year-a-summer-of-hope-and-renewal-speaker-series/