The Franciscan Movement: Pastoral Power in Action Conference 2026
In a world hungry for healing, the Franciscan tradition offers something profoundly radical: the belief that love is power. Not the kind of power that dominates, but the kind that serves. This January, the Franciscan School of Theology invites you to join scholars, ministers, students, and seekers from around the world for a free, two-day conference exploring how pastoral power grounded in compassion, humility, and presence can renew faith in our relationships and communities.
What to Expect at the Conference
First, what do we mean by “pastoral power”? This refers to the ways the Church (laity and clergy) use their power for good to:
- Guide and nurture people
- Raise awareness of suffering and the compassionate actions to combat it
- Call communities to action
- Address issues like mental health from a pastoral lens
The Franciscan Movement: Pastoral Power in Action will feature keynote talks from world-renowned Franciscan scholars and clergy, as well as an immersive learning experience. Held on January 30–31, 2026 at USD’s Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, this gathering offers a unique opportunity to witness how pastoral practices rooted in Franciscan values are lived out in practical examples of contemporary Franciscan leadership and spiritual service. The event is ideal for anyone interested in the Franciscan tradition.
Speakers will invite participants to rediscover the heart of pastoral care and power, not as strategy or technique, but as love in action. Here’s what to expect:
Immersive Experience: A Franciscan Theology of Migration
January 30 | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Led by Brother Keith Warner, OFM, this event will feature local community organizations reporting on the current reality in San Diego of migrants, their human rights, the results of deportations, and impacts on families. Speakers will interpret these issues through social analysis, moral theology, Catholic social thought, and community organizing. Limited space; lunch will be provided. Event in collaboration with Via International.
Featured Keynote Speakers
January 30 and 31 | Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, Theater
Pastoral Power in Action: Wonder, the Heart, and Mental Health
Bishop John P. Dolan, Diocese of Phoenix
Bishop John Dolan offers a Catholic mental-health perspective on Pope Francis’ call to rediscover the heart as the path to Christ. Drawing on Christian anthropology and Franciscan theology, he explores the human person as body and soul, where wonder deepens faith and pastoral care. Integrating mental health insights with sacramental life, this presentation shows how the heart of the person (beyond intellect and will) becomes the true locus of healing, accompaniment, and pastoral power in the Church’s mission today.
The Legacy of Franciscan Healthcare: Pastoral Power in Action
Fr. Tom Nairn, OFM, Franciscan School of Theology
Throughout its history, the Franciscan family has been involved in health care. The early friars devoted themselves to the care of lepers. The Third Order of Franciscans not only cared for the sick but founded medieval and modern hospitals. In recent centuries, communities of Franciscan Sisters developed systems that have grown into a vital industry in the US. Using the lens of “caring,” this presentation examines Franciscan healthcare today in light of this tradition and asks what the future of Franciscan healthcare might look like.
Global Fraternity and Pastoral Power: Franciscan Love in Action
Br. Michael Perry,OFM, Sienna University
At the heart of Franciscan life and mission is the distinctive feature of fraternity and community, which has the power to promote transformation at the individual, local, and global levels. Through global stories of Franciscan love in action, we will ask the question: How might this transformative power better position us to engage with tomorrow’s questions and opportunities?
Pastoral Power and Saint Francis of Assisi
Prof. Neslihan Şenocak, Professor of Medieval and Franciscan Studies, Columbia University
Pastoral authority in Christianity originated with Christ the Good Shepherd, who entrusted it to the Apostles through the Holy Spirit before his Ascension. In the early Church, bishops inherited this apostolic power via episcopal consecration. By the 4th century in Egypt, a new pastoral model emerged: the monastic abbot. St. Francis of Assisi embodied this tradition, guided by the Holy Spirit. His life and the founding of his Order reflect the essence of monastic pastorate, adapted to a different time and context.
From Assisi to Paris: Building Franciscan Theology for Pastoral Practice
Br. William Short, OFM, Professor of Spirituality, Franciscan School of Theology
Francis and Clare began their experiment in Gospel life in Assisi in the early 13th century. Within a short time their practice of Gospel living inspired the beginnings of a new Franciscan school of theology at the University of Paris, with teachers like St Bonaventure and Bl. John Duns Scotus. We will explore some of their unique approaches to understanding God, the human person, and Christ as the center of the Creation in which we live.
Reflections on the Last Conference
The last Franciscan Movement conference was held in 2023, titled Re-Imagining the World: St. Pope Francis and Saint Francis*. Over 300 attendees traveled from across the country and the world for two days of rich theological dialogue, prayer, and reflection.
The theme invited participants to explore the prophetic voices of two spiritual giants across time, with a focus on polarization in society. Speakers drew connections between the 13th-century saint and the 21st-century pope, both of whom called for peace, simplicity, and solidarity with the poor and marginalized in their lifetimes.
One of the key takeaways was that there is a deep longing for practical, accessible ways to live out Franciscan values. Many attendees expressed a desire to bring the spirituality they experienced at the conference into their daily lives, even if they weren’t discerning a religious vocation or pursuing a degree at FST. Part of the goal of this year’s conference is to provide an answer to that call, especially for those aspiring to pastoral ministry.
*Recorded sessions can be accessed via the FST YouTube channel.
Carrying the Conversation Forward
While the 2023 conference introduced Franciscanism, the 2026 conference will focus on pastoral application of Franciscan values.
Each conference opens the door to new conversations and fresh theological insights. And not everyone who attends is a published theologian or seeking a degree — that’s part of what makes these gatherings so powerful. The events serve as touchpoints for alumni, current students, prospective students, and members of the broader community to engage with the Franciscan tradition in an accessible and personally meaningful way.
These conferences also serve as a window into the Franciscan School of Theology’s mission. For prospective students, it’s a rare opportunity to learn directly from world-renowned faculty and to witness what Franciscan formation looks like in action. For current students, it offers a broader view of their vocational path, especially for those pursuing pastoral ministry or chaplaincy. No matter where you are in your vocational journey, the conference promises to be a place of renewed vision and shared hope for all.
Above all, the Franciscan Movement is more than just a series of lectures or an academic gathering. It is a space where faith becomes dialogue and theology becomes a living tradition. Participants will have the chance to not only learn about Franciscan values but also experience them through community and spiritual reflection, and emerge seeing the world anew.
Register now to save your spot. We hope to see you there.
