Mission Resource Guide

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Introduction

This Mission Resource Guide has been constructed to assist the faculty, staff and administrators in engaging the mission, values and Franciscan roots of Siena College. The resources listed will provide users a foundational knowledge of topics critical for mission accomplishment. In addition, a team of Franciscans will be available upon request to assist those who may wish a more detailed or scholarly approach to the topics listed. This instrument is a ‘work in progress;’ it will be periodically updated and revised as new resources surface. The (MRG) construction team welcome your suggestions.

To provide all constituencies with the resources critical for the engagement of mission in all four of its pillars:

EDUCATION EXPERIENCE COMMUNITY REPUTATION

The lives of our founders and Patrons

I) Understanding the Life and Legacy of St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)

It was his joy to follow the poor and humble Christ. Francis was known to practice the virtue of poverty to a high degree, owning no property, living very simply, begging for his food, living among and caring for those who were ostracized from society.

II) Understanding the Life and Legacy of St. Clare of Assisi (1194-1253)

The founder of the Order of Poor Ladies, Saint Clare of Assisi was an Italian saint and one of the first followers of Saint Francis of Assisi.

III) Understanding the Life and Legacy of Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444)

A Franciscan friar and preacher, St. Bernardine is known as “the Apostle of Italy” for his efforts to revive the country's Catholic faith during the 15th century.

The Franciscan Intellectual Tradition

IV) Understanding the Franciscan Intellectual Tradition.

A philosophical and theological expression of understanding the Catholic faith.

V) Understanding the Catholic Intellectual Tradition

It is the combination of the truths found in God's word and through human reason that enables Catholic faith to make compelling arguments around social issues.

VI) Franciscan Doctors of the Church

Anthony of Padua; Bonaventure; Lawrence of Brindisi; St Francis de Sales (Franciscan Tertiary). Doctors of the Church: Benedictines (4); Franciscans (4); Dominicans and Carmelites (3); Jesuits (2). Benedict XVI included Blesses John Duns Scotus in his Wednesday audiences on Doctors of the Church…

Fransiscan doctors of the church

Saint Lawrence of Brindisi

Anthony Padua

Francis De Sales

Francisco de Zurbaran

John Duns Scotus

San Francisco de Sales

San Lorenzo da Brindisi

St. Bonve ture

St. Anthony

St. Bonaventure

VII) The Life and contributions of Bonaventure

An important figure in both Franciscan history and the history of the medieval Church. A Minister General of the Franciscan Order and a Cardinal and Doctor of the Church, Bonaventure left his mark as a scholastic philosopher and theologian, as well as a mystic writer adding significantly to the spirituality of the Franciscan movement.

VII) The Life and Contributions of Duns Scotus, Roger Bacon

There are a number of Doctors of the Church; many of them come from the religious orders of the Church:
Benedictines (4)
Franciscans (4 official doctors - not including Blessed Duns Scotus who Benedict XVI included in his coverage of the Doctors of the Church: General Audiences)
Dominicans (3)
Carmelites (3)
Jesuits (2)

The History / Legacy of the Franciscan Movement

X) Understanding the History of the Franciscan Movement

The Franciscan Movement encompasses a period of 8 centuries characterised mainly by reforms and new expressions of the original charism of Francis of Assisi.

XI) Understanding the History of the Franciscan Friars at Siena College

A 38-acre farm can become a 175-acre campus. An old brick house can become a college with 60 buildings and state-of-the-art facilities. A half-dozen professors can swell to a full-time faculty of over 200, and 90 students taking a handful of courses can grow into 3,000 men and women pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees.

SIENA COLLEGE: THE FOUR FRANCISCAN THEMES

HERITAGE

Traditions and Their Texts (CFH). As a tradition born in the 13th Century, the Franciscan Tradition is embedded within Western heritage, and as a living tradition nearly 800 years old, the Franciscan Tradition is constitutive of subsequent Western heritage. The "Heritage" rubric embraces this broad sense of tradition. Courses are welcome that acquaint students with one or more of the major intellectual, cultural, or religious traditions in this history and the texts, figures, events, or movements associated with them. CFH courses elucidate how these traditions address fundamental questions of humanistic or religious concern.

Acquaint students with one or more of the major intellectual, cultural, or religious traditions
Examine how these traditions have influenced texts, figures, events, or movements
Offer opportunity to address fundamental questions of humanistic or religious concern

NATURAL WORLD

Scientific & Normative Approaches to the Natural World (CFN). The Franciscan Tradition affirms the goodness of nature. As an intellectual tradition it supports the scientific investigation of nature, and as a spiritual tradition it cultivates deepened appreciation for the entirety of the created world and heightened commitment to the effective stewardship of the Earth and all living things. CFN courses investigate the natural world from a scientific perspective and also examine the impact and consequences of human involvement in natural systems.

Foster an appreciation of nature and support the scientific investigation of all things in nature
Examine the consequences of human involvement in nature.
Understand what is necessary to demonstrate a heightened commitment to the stewardship of the Earth and all things in nature

DIVERSITY

American & Global Pluralism (CFD). The Franciscan concern for diversity flows from its affirmation of each individual as worthy of respect and compassion. Individuality implies plurality of perspective, both on the level of differences among persons and on the level of differences among peoples. Appreciating diversity requires that students have the opportunity to see things from perspectives they do not normally occupy. This includes the examination of diverse intellectual perspectives. CFD courses offer students opportunities for shifting perspective to “other” persons, peoples and ideas, in either a domestic or global context.

Recognize an individual’s right for respect and compassion
Examine and practice plurality of perspective (among individuals and groups)
Offer opportunity to shift perspective to that of another person or group,

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Principles and Practice (CFJ). This Franciscan Tradition joins with other traditions and movements in placing a premium on social justice. Social justice permeates all levels of human affairs and admits investigation from a variety of perspectives. Broadly speaking, social justice concerns (a) the practical organization of human affairs allowing for maximal human flourishing, (b) the values and principles guiding or that might guide the organization of human affairs, (c) the extent to which such values or principles are practically realized or under-realized. CFJ courses offer opportunities to study the theory or practice of justice from social, moral, political, religious, economic, environmental, aesthetic, or technological points of view.

Recognize the systems and structures in place that influence the variation of justice and injustice for individuals and groups
Understand the values and principles of social justice that guide or might guide the organization of human affairs to promote justice and prevent injustice
Closely examine the realization or under-realization of social justice values and principles in practice within specific disciplinary and/or cultural perspectives

Resources will be presented in three categories: FUNDAMENTAL, INTERMEDIATE and ADVANCED.