DENVER — More than 80 attendees are expected at next week’s Ninth National Franciscan Forum, organized by the Franciscan Institute of St. Bonaventure University, at Regis University here.
This year’s theme, “Dying, As a Franciscan: Approaching our Transitus to Eternal Life, Accompanying Others on the Way to Theirs,” will address the questions: “Is there a particularly Franciscan manner of approaching our own passage to the Lord and of helping others to do the same?
Are there particular elements within the Franciscan tradition – stories, symbols, rituals, and so forth – on which we can all draw to help us and others whom we accompany in this ultimate pilgrimage of the human journey?”
Presentations at the June 17-20 event exploring both aspects of this journey will include:
· “Fixed with Christ to the Cross” by Fr. Thomas Nairn, OFM
· “Praise be My Lord through Sr. Death” by Sr. Mary Petrosky, FMM
· “She Cared for Her Sick Sisters, Even Washing Their Feet,” by Sr. Kathleen McCarron, OSF
· “When the Hour of His Passing Was Approaching” by Daniel Sulmasy, OFM
A complete list of events and information about the presenters is included in a brochure available on the website of the institute.
According to David Haack, OFM, art consultant for the forum, all discussions will be video-taped and available for purchase. Other Holy Name friars participating in the forum include Christopher Coccia, OFM, John Mahon, OFM, William Fitzgerald, OFM, and A. Francis Soucy, OFM.
Fr. Michael Cusato, OFM, of Sacred Heart Province, is director of the institute and coordinator of the forum.
Past Franciscan Forum themes include “Mission Effectiveness and Ongoing Formation,” “Relationship between Word and Art in the Franciscan tradition,” “Go Repair My House” and “The relationship between Franciscans and Muslims.”