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REFLECT & PRAY
From author Robert J. Karris, O.F.M.: It seems that a word of general orientation is in order for those coming to Bonaventure's Commentary on the Gospel of John for the first time. Bonaventure's style of commentary consists of a detailed outline of the text, running commentary on the individual verses, and answers to questions that arise from the text. In my selection of the Johannine passages for thirty days, I have given preferential treatment to those passages used in the liturgy during Cycle B and for Christmas, Sundays in Lent, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Sundays after Easter.
Perhaps preachers may want to share with their congregations interpretations that are so old that they are new, that sparkle because Bonaventure has singled out the very best from tradition, and that challenge our hackneyed ways of interpreting a favorite passage such as Jesus healing of a man who had been disabled for thirty-eight years (John 5).
Each day is arranged in the following manner. At the beginning I tell readers what passage from John's Gospel to read and meditate upon. Then I provide Bonaventure's commentary on one or two verses of the passage under consideration. My Reflection follows Bonaventure's interpretation. In the Reflection I relate Bonaventure's commentary to the rest of the passage being interpreted, to contemporary exposition, and to themes in the rest of the Gospel. I conclude each day with a Prayer, which is meant to be a springboard for readers own prayers. 
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NEW RELEASE -
First published by Franciscan Press in 2000, Dr. Timothy J Johnson’s The Soul in Ascent: Bonaventure on Poverty, Prayer and Union with God has offered a thorough textual study of the importance of prayer in Bonaventure’s theology and life. This new edition is updated to include Johnson’s most recent work on Bonaventure’s Sunday Sermons sourced from his work, The Sunday Sermons of St. Bonaventure – Bonaventure Texts in Translation Series. This new edition is a must-read book for anyone interested in Franciscan spirituality and theology. 
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NEW RELEASE
While Peter of John Olivi (d. 1298) is generally classified more as a theologian and/or philosopher than as a spiritual director, Robert Karris presents several short works by Olivi which clearly indicate that he was concerned for the spiritual progress of lay people, too. Besides Olivi’s four spiritual writings – The Armed Soldier, The Prayer of Thanksgiving, Lessons on Growth in the Spiritual Life and Remedies against Spiritual Temptations – Karris adds his treatise on The Lord’s Prayer, on The Seven Sentiments of Christ Jesus, and an abbreviated version of his commentary on Mary’s response to Gabriel in Luke 1:26-38.
In addition to the works of Olivi, Karris provides a plethora of footnotes to aid the reader, and in an appendix he has translated two interpretive parallels to help readers see where Olivi follows traditional lines of thought and where he diverges into his own unique treatment.
For too long the temptation to dismiss Olivi as a Franciscan reformer who ran afoul of the Roman authorities after his death has kept his writings in the background of Franciscan scholarship. Now, with this short but penetrating introduction to another facet of Peter of John Olivi’s ministry, Karris gives us reason to look again and find new treasures in the life of Olivi which can enrich us today.
Catalogs
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| Critical Editions 2011Click on image to view | Book Catalog 2011Click on image to view | |
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.
