Franciscan School of Theology

Below is our third perspective on what it means to be Franciscan:

When I was a student at Franciscan School of Theology, I would oftentimes get questions from friends, family, or mere acquaintances, “What are you going to use your degree for?” or “Are you going to be a Deacon?” These questions made me pause and realize that even though I was working toward getting a graduate degree, even more importantly, I was being transformed. Each class, whether it was a study of Scripture, theology, sacraments or otherwise, I was learning about what I had previously been exposed to and now through the Franciscan lens. In other words, I was being both challenged and inspired to live out the Gospel message in relationship to anyone or anything I encountered. I was not being formed for a particular role or task as much as being transformed so that I could better proclaim the Gospel with my entire being.

Now that I have been blessed with returning to FST as a staff member, I have been tasked with creating and co-creating sacred space for students to come together not just in the classroom but in a multitude of relational ways, mostly social and spiritual. I have found that in meeting individually and communally with these students, I am privileged to hear stories from them of how they are challenged and inspired to live out what they are learning in the classroom. These stories are all unique to each person but there is a common heart in that the Franciscan spirit is very much alive as a dynamic spirit, attentive to moving forward in faith and relationship. FST is a training ground for being present through relationship to all humanity and creation and it is a community of relationship with the world and one another. 

Joe Lonergan
Director of Student Services and Spiritual Formation
Franciscan School of Theology

Thank you for your reflection, Joe! We'll have another reflection tomorrow. Please note that you can view previous reflections by click on the posts listed below. Have a great start to the week, everyone!