To mark the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, the Centre for Catholic Studies (CCS) at Durham University will hold its third international Franciscan Studies conference. The Transitus of Saint Francis in 1226 completed the Poverello’s earthly life. Successive generations have interpreted and carried forward the witness and teachings of Francis and his early followers. This conference seeks to celebrate and share the fruits of this legacy against new horizons, addressing contemporary challenges and concerns.
The aim of the conference will be to bring together people from different walks of life – academic and non-academic, religious and lay – who have a love for St. Francis of Assisi, the Franciscan tradition, and the abiding relevance of the Franciscan charism for the modern world. The conference will be held at locations in Durham itself as well as at Ushaw College, a former Roman Catholic Seminary a few miles outside of Durham.
The conference will consist of academic panels and plenary lectures by leading scholars of the Franciscan tradition, as well as public talks by those working in contemporary Franciscan evangelisation, workshops on the Franciscan way of life and Franciscan ministry, ecumenical worship, and opportunities for fellowship and communal reflection.
Confirmed speakers/preacher include:
- Fr Casey Cole, OFM (Digital Evangelist and Creator of Breaking in the Habit podcast)
- Prof. Richard Cross (University of Notre Dame, Indiana)
- Fr Dr Michael Cusato OFM (Scholar-in-Residence, St. Bonaventure Friary, NY)
- Br Richard Hendrick, OFM Cap (Capuchin Franciscan Province of Ireland)
- Prof. Daniel Horan (St Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana)
- Dr William Hyland (University of St Andrews)
- Prof. John McCafferty (University College Dublin)
- Dr Darleen Pryds (Franciscan School of Theology, University of San Diego)
Further details, including a draft programme, are available at: https://www.durham.ac.uk/research/institutes-and-centres/catholic-studies/about-us/events/the-third-international-franciscan-conference---april-2026/
Contact: ccs.admin@durham.ac.uk
