Franciscan Spirit

Daniel P. Horan, PhD, a longtime Thomas Merton scholar, professor, and author of a book on Merton’s deep Franciscan roots, sits down to discuss how the Franciscan tradition helped shape the journey and spirituality of Thomas Merton, one of the 20th century’s most influential contemplatives. Horan discusses Merton’s surprising path that led him deep into the Franciscan tradition and the fascinating details as to why he became a Trappist monk instead of a Franciscan friar; how John Duns Scotus’s idea of particularity shaped Merton’s famous teaching about the true self and false self; and how both Scotus and St. Bonaventure informed Merton’s expansive Christology. Lastly, Horan unpacks how a life grounded in contemplation freed Merton for prophetic engagement in the world, inter-religious dialogue, and exploring some of the most pressing social questions of his time.
Whether you’re a longtime Merton reader or just beginning to explore the Franciscan tradition, this conversation reveals how deeply the two are intertwined—and why both still speak so powerfully and prophetically to us today. Throughout the episode, Horan relates Merton's journey to ours and explores why his spirituality is so important for us to consider today. If you’re interested in supporting this podcast and donating, visit friars.us or franciscanfriarscharities.org.
Daniel P. Horan, PhD, is Professor of Philosophy, Religious Studies and Theology at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana. A columnist for the National Catholic Reporter, he is the author or editor of sixteen books, including Catholicity and Emerging Personhood: A Contemporary Theological Anthropology, A White Catholic’s Guide to Racism and Privilege, and The Way of the Franciscans: A Prayer Journey Through Lent. Prof. Horan’s most recent books are titled Engaging Thomas Merton: Spirituality, Justice, and Racism and Fear and Faith: Hope and Wholeness in a Fractured World. He is currently working on a book on Christology tentatively titled, Not Because of Sin: Reconsidering the Reason God Became Human. His academic research, writing, and teaching focuses on medieval and contemporary spirituality, medieval and modern philosophy, theological anthropology, Christology, antiracism and LGBTQ issues, and theologies of creation. Prof. Horan regularly lectures around the United States and abroad; and serves on several university, academic, and publication editorial boards, including the Board of Directors of the Catholic Theological Society of America and the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality. He is recipient of numerous awards for his writing and service and is co-host of The Francis Effect Podcast.
Explore the show notes here.
(00:00:01) Introduction
(00:03:50) Thomas Merton: Spiritual Companion
(00:10:43) Rain and the Rhinoceros
(00:15:14) Merton and the Franciscan Tradition
(00:23:44) Why Merton Never Became a Franciscan Friar
(00:31:42) The Impact of a Franciscan Education on Merton
(00:35:16) How Scotus Informed Merton's Writings on the True Self
(00:48:30) How Scotus and Bonaventure Informed Merton's Christology
(00:58:33) Franciscanism in Merton's Later Works
(01:06:41) Final Thoughts
(01:08:18) Conclusion

The focus of this special feast day episode is St. Clare of Assisi’s remarkable, poetic letters to another woman of nobility, St. Agnes of Prague. Guiding listeners through these four letters is Sister Joanne Schatzlein, OSF, a Franciscan scholar, co-author of a major study on Clare of Assisi, and lifelong student of her spirituality. Sister Joanne is a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi, whose Motherhouse is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is a native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and entered her Congregation in 1965. In this episode, Sister Joanne echoes to us Clare's invitation to Agnes: to gaze, consider, contemplate, and imitate in our lives what Christ has taught us.
(00:00:01) Introduction
(00:05:24) Background
(00:11:21) Agnes and Clare’s Correspondence
(00:21:23) First Letter: Spousal Language
(00:25:26) First Letter: Absolute Poverty
(00:30:27) Second Letter: Background and Introduction
(00:35:12) What is Franciscan Poverty Today?
(00:43:37) Second Letter: God's Poverty and Humility; Clare's Formula for Prayer
(00:52:52) Third Letter: Background and Introduction
(00:55:59) Third Letter: Mirror of Eternity, Stigmata, and the San Damiano Cross
(00:1:04:13) Third Letter: Embracing the Poor Christ
(01:09:38) Fourth Letter: The Mystical Letter
(01:12:28) Fourth Letter: Mirror Metaphor; Oneness with the Suffering Christ
(01:18:23) Fourth Letter: Franciscan Relationality, Follower of Francis
(01:21:47) Benediction
(01:23:57) Conclusion

In a time when loneliness and disconnection are at historic highs, how can resurrecting community help us awaken to what Thomas Merton called our “true selves”? In an age of division, how might principles from the Franciscan way help us to uncover our “original unity”? What does real, authentic, diverse community look like today? And what does Pope Leo’s new encyclical Magnifica Humanitas say about using digital tools to build a universal human family? What might a digital “piazza” offer in this technological age?
This episode’s guest is Julianne Wallace, D.Min., the executive director of the Franciscan Federation and a ministry professional deeply rooted in the Franciscan tradition. Throughout her career, Julianne has worked with all branches of the Franciscan family—friars, sisters, secular Franciscans, associates, as well as serving a year with the Franciscan Volunteer Ministry—and she continues to build bridges and foster collaboration across the wider Franciscan world.
The Franciscan Federation is a member organization that brings together vowed religious, secular Franciscans, associates, and all who seek to live out a Franciscan life today. The Federation also hosts the Piazza, a digital gathering place inspired by the Piazza del Comune in Assisi, where people from every Franciscan path can meet, pray, learn, and build community together. To learn more about Fran Fed, visit www.franfed.org. To join the Piazza, visit thepiazza.franfed.org.
View the show notes here.
(00:00:01) Introduction
(00:02:33) Exploring the Franciscan Federation
(00:07:06) The Piazza Project: A Digital Community
(00:19:01) The True Self and the Common Good
(00:27:14) Reflection No. 1: Deep Gladness and Deep Need
(00:29:57) Masks and Ego
(00:34:38) From Communication to Communion
(00:42:39) Reflection No. 2: Moving Toward Communion
(00:45:10) Echo Chambers and the Role of Community
(00:55:57) Reflection No. 3: Remembering Who We Are
(00:59:40) Exploring Magnifica Humanitas
(1:07:03) In the Footsteps of Mary Magdalene
(1:14:10) Final Thoughts and Conclusion

In this episode celebrating the Feast Day of 13th-century Franciscan philosopher St. Bonaventure, Professor Timothy Weldon helps listeners encounter a saint whose heart-centered wisdom still speaks powerfully today. Weldon explores Bonaventure's life of humble service, brilliant leadership, and profound vision of beauty, light, and the Trinity. Dr. Weldon, a philosophy professor who has taught for 25 years at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois, explores a number of topics in this episode: from Bonaventure’s deep connection to St. Francis, his beautiful Hymn to the Cross, the soul’s journey to God, and how themes of order, light, relationality, and everyday faithfulness can renew our own lives. Whether you’re Franciscan-curious or well-versed in the tradition, this episode offers both inspiration and practical invitation.
(00:00:01) Introduction
(00:02:05) The Life of St. Bonaventure
(00:15:22) What St. Francis Lived, Bonaventure was to Think
(00:24:09) Beauty's Invitation to Contemplation and Action
(00:38:30) Trinity, Relationality, and Love
(00:44:52) Applying Bonaventure Today in Our Lived Experience
(00:55:48) Conclusion

In this episode, we dive into one of the most urgent conversations of our time: faith and artificial intelligence, which Pope Leo XIV just explored in his groundbreaking encyclical “Magnifica Humanitas.” What does this new encyclical teach us about AI and what it is not? What does it teach us about how to navigate the age of AI and Robotics? How can wisdom from this encyclical help us harness AI for mission? Our guest, Edmundo Reyes, dives into all this and more in this episode of Franciscan Spirit.
Edmundo Reyes is an award-winning producer and recognized leader in marketing, communications, fundraising, and public relations. His career has been dedicated to advancing evangelization through digital media, technology, and storytelling. He is the founder of Digital Continent, a Catholic media company telling stories of the Good, the True, and the Beautiful to make Christ known and loved in the digital culture. He serves as founder and executive producer of several acclaimed projects, including:
Seeking Beauty with David Henrie, a new documentary series on art, culture, and faith, available on EWTN+ and EWTN.com
Real+True, a digital apostolate under the patronage of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Evangelization, which unlocks the beauty and truth of the Catechism of the Catholic Church to the next generation.
Based on a True Saint, a documentary series presented by The Augustine Institute that tells the stories of modern and soon-to-be saints through firsthand testimony.
Revive Parishes, an online formation platform equipping parish leaders with practical tools for mission.
His work has been honored with multiple regional Emmy Awards, Catholic Media Association awards, and national nominations. Previously, he served as Director of Communications for the Archdiocese of Detroit, where he led one of the most innovative communications teams in the Church and was twice recognized with the Father John Catoir Evangelization Award.

(00:00:01) Introduction
(00:02:25) Backstory: Faith & AI Project
(00:08:43) Reaction to Magnifica Humanitas
(00:12:21) How Do We Approach this Technology?
(00:15:35) Can AI Make Us More Human?
(00:20:55) Reflection No. 1
(00:28:02) Discerning AI
(00:43:22) Using AI to Slow us Down, Cause Friction, and Deepen Relationship
(00:54:34) Reflection No. 2: Becoming More Human
(01:00:28) Using AI For Mission, Attuning Our Hearts to Beauty
(01:09:17) Reflection No. 3: Beauty
(01:13:49) AI and its Impact on the Environment
(01:18:55) Structural Issues and Economic Interests
(01:23:39) The Desire to Be Known and Loved
(01:30:51) Conclusion