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About Us

MISSION STATEMENT OF THE FRANCISCAN INSTITUTE PUBLICATIONS

Franciscan Institute Publications is a leading publisher of books and journals on medieval Franciscan history, sources, spirituality, philosophy and theology as well as contemporary issues on Franciscan life and ministry. 

It has published critical editions of the works of John Duns Scotus, William of Ockham, Adam Wodeham and Peter of John Olivi.  Its Works of St. Bonaventure series is now in 15 separate volumes with more volumes in development.  Franciscan Institute Publications has collaborated with the English-Speaking Conference of the Order of Friars Minor and the Commission on the Franciscan Intellectual Tradition on two series of Franciscan thought on contemporary issues and topics. 

 In 2007, Franciscan Institute Publications bought 24 titles from Franciscan Press which included classic works by John Moorman, Raoul Manselli, Thaddee Matura and others.  Franciscan Institute Publications has over 150 titles in print and three active journals – Greyfriars Journal, Franciscan Studies and The Cord.

MISSION STATEMENT OF THE FRANCISCAN INSTITUTE

The Franciscan Institute and School of Franciscan Studies is a center for promoting the study of Franciscan sources, history and theology. The Institute focuses on a critical study of the origin and early development of the Franciscan movement. It also furthers an understanding of the continuing development of the Franciscan movement and its significance as a vital force in the contemporary Church and world. The Franciscan Institute exists to serve the scholarly and educational needs of the Franciscan family and the wider community.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FRANCISCAN INSTITUTE

Three Franciscan scholars created the foundation of the Franciscan Institute and School of Franciscan Studies. In 1939 Thomas Plassmann, O.F.M., president of St. Bonaventure University, invited Philotheus Boehner, O.F.M., to reside at the University as war engulfed his native Germany. Boehner was equally at home in the biological sciences and medieval philosophy. His towering intellect was matched by his humane wisdom and compassion. The third friar, Mathias Faust, worked tirelessly to build the Holy Name Collection that became the cornerstone of the Institute library, a major source of rare books and major reference works. Under Boehner’s influence, the Institute became internationally known as a center for the study of William of Ockham, a 14th-century Franciscan philosopher credited with leading the transition from medieval scholasticism to modern philosophy. Twelve years after Boehner’s death, Gedeon Gál, O.F.M., became the director charged with the publication of the seventeen volumes of the critical editions of Ockham’s writings. Twenty years later the Ockham Edition was completed. It garnered international acclaim for its rigorous standards and its early use of computer technology in medieval textual research. Generous grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities contributed to the project’s success and stature. During our history, a succession of research scholars have devoted themselves to preparation of critical editions of John Duns Scotus, Adam de Wodeham, Peter John Olivi and the Works of St. Bonaventure. The Institute possesses one of the special collections of the Friedsam Memorial Library at St. Bonaventure University. It contains over 23,000 volumes, 140 current periodical subscriptions and 470 other periodical titles. The rare book collection boasts medieval and modern manuscripts, incunabula and books published from the 16th to the 18th centuries. The library is unique in the Americas. It is valued as one of the world’s most comprehensive Franciscan research collections. Click here to visit.