A two-week online summer school in Franciscan Studies: learn from world experts in Franciscan studies through video lectures and live Teams sessions, and interact with participants from across the globe in small group seminars.

The flexible online format means that you can take part from anywhere and fit the courses around your schedule, with the option to take one or more courses as you choose.

Two public lectures by leading scholars are open to all (tickets: £5) whether or not you are registered on a course. Registration for lecture-only tickets will open at https://centreforcatholicstudies.eventbrite.com on 19 April.

Main Modules

The two main modules, Franciscan Reform and Renewal Movements and Franciscan Foundations for Moral Theology, have the same timetable. For each day there will be a pre-recorded video by the main lecturer of 20-30 minutes duration, which can be watched at any time, as well as some recommended reading which will be available for download at any time. The timetables for the live seminars, Q&A sessions and public lectures for the week are below.

The estimated time commitment for the main modules, including video lectures, live classes, and reading, is 2-3 hours of study per day.

Week 1: Franciscan Reform and Renewal Movements

• With Br William Short OFM
• Over the last eight centuries the men and women of the three Franciscan Orders have experienced significant movements of reform and renewal. Some of these have led to new life and energy for Franciscan communities, while others have led to painful divisions. This one-week course will explore some of the more important moments in this lively and little-known history of reform and division.
• Includes public lecture by Prof. John McCafferty, 'Sandals, Spaniards and Scotus: Defending Francis and his friars 400 years after his death'
• £90

Timetable

• Monday 9 June: Live Seminar (1hr) at 0900 BST or 1600 BST*
• Tuesday 10 June: Live Q&A (1hr) at 0900 or 1600 BST
• Wednesday 11 June: Live Seminar (1hr) at 0900 BST or 1600 BST* AND Public Lecture (1.5 hrs) at 1800 BST
• Thursday 12 June: Live Q&A (1hr) at 0900 or 1600 BST
• Friday 13 June: Live Seminar (1hr) at 0900 BST or 1600 BST*

*The live seminars are repeated on two time slots each day, so that participants from different time zones can attend at the time most convenient to them. As part of the registration process, participants are asked to specify which seminar they would like to attend. You can use a time zone converter to find out the times in your own time zone. Please remember to search for the correct dates (9-20 June 2025) as many countries use daylight saving time.

The live Q&A and public lecture will be available as video recordings for those who are unable to attend these sessions live.

Week 2: Heart Speaks to Heart: Franciscan Foundations for Moral Theology

• With Professor Mary Beth Ingham CSJ
• This course offers an overview of medieval Franciscan Masters in their effort to articulate a Franciscan basis for moral living. Inspired by the Gospel, earlier Patristic thinkers, and the spiritual vision of Francis of Assisi, these early masters worked to weave three core elements into a dynamic whole: the divine will, natural law, and human freedom. The result of their efforts offers us the foundations for a moral vision based on love for God and neighbour. Each session will focus on the approach of one of the following: Alexander of Hales/John de la Rochelle (Summa Halensis), Bonaventure of Bagnoregio, John Duns Scotus, and William of Ockham. At the close, the course considers the importance of this moral vision for our world today.
• Includes public lecture by Professor Margaret Carney OSF: 'Francis of Assisi, Francis of Rome and a Church Reimagined'
• £90

Timetable

• Monday 16 June: Live Seminar at 0900 BST or 1600 BST*
• Tuesday 17 June: Live Q&A at 1600 BST
• Wednesday 18 June: Live Seminar at 0900 BST or 1600 BST * AND Public Lecture at 1800 BST
• Thursday 19 June: Live Q&A at 1600 BST
• Friday 20 June: Live Seminar at 0900 BST or 1600 BST*

*The live seminars are repeated on two time slots each day, so that participants from different time zones can attend at the time most convenient to them. As part of the registration process, participants are asked to specify which seminar they would like to attend. You can use a time zone converter to find out the times in your own time zone. Please remember to search for the correct dates (9-20 June 2025) as many countries use daylight saving time.

The live Q&A and public lecture will be available as video recordings for those who are unable to attend these sessions live.

Registration for the main modules

• To register for either or both of the above modules, please click "Tickets" on this page and follow the instructions.
• The registration deadline is 9 May.
• We want participation in the Franciscan Studies Summer School to be open to all. If you need financial assistance to help cover the cost of the course fees, we have a number of subsidised bursary places available. To enquire about bursary places, please email ccsfranciscan.admin@durham.ac.uk and wait for the reply before registering.

Also Available:

Advanced Seminar: The Heart Ascending: St Bonaventure on Love, Wisdom and the Quest for Holiness

With Dr William Crozier | £120

In his Collations on the Six Days of Creation, St. Bonaventure outlines his understanding of the four stages of wisdom which are offered to us as we seek to move closer to God: "uniform wisdom", "multiform wisdom", "omniform wisdom", and "nulliform wisdom". Simply expressed, these correspond to philosophical learning, the wisdom of scripture, the theological reading of the natural world, and the illumination of mystical experience and rapture. This course introduces the student to each of these different "faces" of wisdom and shows how the heart ascends through them by means of loving knowledge.

This advanced seminar is suitable for participants who have some background in theology or another relevant field. Places are limited for this course, so if you are interested in registering please email Theodora Hawksley at ccsfranciscan.admin@durham.ac.uk, giving some brief details about your study background. Places will be confirmed by 16 May.

Timetable

The Advanced Seminar is taught through live classes only:

• Monday 9 June: Welcome session (1hr) at 1600 BST
• Wednesday 11 June: Live Seminar (2 hrs) at 1600 BST
• Friday 13 June: Live Seminar (2 hrs) at 1600 BST
• Wednesday 18 June: Live Seminar (2 hrs) at 1600 BST
• Friday 20 June: Live Seminar (2 hrs) at 1600 BST