Franciscan School of Theology

Final Talks of the Season!

The Franciscan Speaker Series at Saint Brigid Parish is wrapping up — but there’s still time to join us for two powerful final sessions.
📍 Saint Brigid Parish Hall
4735 Cass St, San Diego, CA 92109
Register at the door

🎬August 6 | 7 PM
Jesus' Ministry and Human Dignity
with Prof. Angela Zautcke, PhD
How did Jesus affirm human dignity in his ministry—and how can we do the same today?

🎬 August 10 | 12 PM
Francis in Film: Hippie or Mystic?
with Prof. Jeffrey Burns, PhD
Explore how Saint Francis is portrayed in iconic films and what those portrayals reveal about his enduring influence.

Let’s close the season in community, reflection, and Franciscan wisdom.

What a powerful week at Saint Brigid Parish Hall! 🌿

On July 2, Sr. Juliet Mousseau, RSCJ, PhD, helped us reflect on how to be human through the eyes of St. Clare, inviting us to embrace humility and love. Then on July 6, Fr. Joe Chinnici, OFM, PhD, explored the Church’s future under new leadership, offering hope grounded in Franciscan wisdom.

📅 Don’t miss what’s next in the Summer School of Prayer:
August 6 – Jesus’ Ministry and Human Dignity
August 10 – Francis in Film: Hippie or Mystic?

Our 2025 Summer School of Prayer continues this July with two more enriching sessions at Saint Brigid Parish Hall, 4735 Cass St, San Diego, CA 92109.

July 2 | 7 PM: “How to Be Human: Wisdom from St. Clare of Assisi” by Sr. Juliet Mousseau, RSCJ, PhD. Learn timeless advice from St. Clare that can help us live well today.

July 6 | Noon: "Where Goes the Church Under New Leadership?” by Fr. Joseph Chinnici, OFM, PhD. Engage in a timely discussion on Pope Leo XIV’s priorities and the Church’s evangelizing efforts.

Join us to deepen your understanding and faith. [registration at the door]

From Scripture to Suffering: Two Saints, One Loving God 🌿

This past week, we reflected deeply on suffering, Scripture, and spiritual strength at Saint Brigid Parish Hall.

With Prof. Angela Zautcke, PhD, we explored the story of Job and how our relationship with God is not a “quid pro quo” but a bond of love and trust, even in pain. St. Francis embraced suffering not with bitterness, but with praise, seeing God’s hand in all creation.

Fr. Garrett Galvin, OFM, invited us into the spirituality of St. Clare of Assisi, rooted in the Word. Clare’s contemplative writings, rich with Scripture, remind us to let the Word nourish us first before we nourish others. Her letters to Agnes show a mirror-like spirituality that reflects Christ through humility, poverty, and love.
Whether in silence, suffering, or Scripture, these saints invite us to trust that God is near, always.

📅 Next Lectures in the 2025 Summer School of Prayer:
July 2 at 7 PM — How to Be Human: Wisdom from St. Clare of Assisi with Sister Juliet Mousseau, RSCJ, PhD

July 6 at Noon — Where Goes the Church Under New Leadership? With Fr. Joe Chinnici, OFM, PhD

Watch the latest Zoom lecture on our YouTube channel!
St. Clare: The Biblical Roots of her Spirituality
By Fr. Garrett Galvin, OFM

Zoom Lectures - St. Clare: The Biblical Roots of her Spirituality St. Clare: The Biblical Roots of her SpiritualityFr. Garrett Galvin, OFMSt. Clare always provided her sisters with the food of the Word of God. She demonstra...

On June 13, countless people celebrate the memory of one of the most popular Franciscan saints, Anthony of Padua (1191/5–1231).

To learn more about this saint whose help you may have invoked to find your car keys, see our blog: https://www.franciscantradition.org/blog/saint-anthony-of-padua-drawn-to-a-life-with-god/

Image: St Anthony meditating on Scripture. Marcantonio Bassetti (1586-1630), Castelvecchio Museum, Verona. Public domain.

Join us this June for the 2025 Summer School of Prayer. We are partnering with Saint Brigid Parish for two inspiring sessions to deepen your faith. Both talks will be held at Saint Brigid Parish Hall, 4735 Cass St, San Diego, CA 92109, and snacks will be provided.

June 18 | 7 PM: "Reflecting on Suffering with St. Francis and Job" by Prof. Angela Zautcke, PhD. Explore how these figures responded to suffering with humility and a focus on God.

June 22 | Noon: “St. Clare of Assisi and the Bible" by Father Garrett Galvin, OFM, PhD. Discover how St. Clare’s deep engagement with Scripture enriched the Franciscan vision.

We look forward to seeing you there.
[registration at the door] Saint Brigid Parish

What is a lay leader? Let’s explore this call to service…

Lay leadership is more than a role in the Church — it’s a vocation to serve and bring Christ’s love into the world. From parish administration and catechesis to social justice and environmental advocacy, lay leaders play a crucial part in shaping faith communities.

At the Franciscan School of Theology, we empower lay leaders through theological education and spiritual formation. Whether you’re exploring ministry opportunities or deepening your understanding of your faith, we invite you to learn more in our latest blog post: https://tinyurl.com/26thcugy

What Is a Lay Leader? Role & Meaning Explained Explore the vital role of lay leaders in the Church, their impact on ministry, and how to grow in this calling through Franciscan spiritual formation.

📖 Reminder: Tomorrow!
Join us Thursday, June 12 at 7:00 PM (PT) for the next FST Zoom Lecture Series:
A Franciscan Vision of the Bible: St. Clare’s Spirituality
By Fr. Garrett Galvin, OFM, PhD

St. Clare always provided her sisters with the food of the Word of God. She demonstrates that you can only give what you have received and takes a large portion of this food for herself. While St. Francis grounded himself in Scripture, it is equally evident that St. Clare was motivated by Scripture and contributes to the Franciscan vision through an attraction to a different set of scriptural readings. This serves to round out our Franciscan approach to Sacred Scripture.

Franciscan Zoom Lecture | Franciscan Theology & Seminary School | Franciscan School of Theology Franciscan Zoom Lecture . The Franciscan School of Theology (FST) is an independent, accredited institution dedicated to the Franciscan intellectual tradition

Learn in the Spirit of Francis. Grow in the Light of Hope.

We invite you to join us this summer for FST's Continuing Education courses, where you'll learn from leading Franciscan scholars and explore themes that speak to our world today.

Whether you're an alum, a spiritual seeker, or simply curious about Franciscan theology, these one-week online courses are a chance to deepen your understanding, grow in faith, and connect with a vibrant community of learners.

June 23–27: Franciscans Discovering the God of Hope and Wonder (Fr. Joe Chinnici, OFM)

July 7–11: St. Francis of Assisi: Writings and Charism (Br. Bill Short, OFM)

💻 Online | ⏰ 9:15 AM – 12:30 PM PDT
Registration now open – save your spot today!

Continuing Education Program | Franciscan School of Theology Continuing Education at the Franciscan School of Theology offers affordable, high-quality instruction by some of the world’s foremost Franciscan scholars and educators.

Friday fun at T.E.C. Fest. Wishing everyone a joyful and restful weekend!