Franciscan Spirit

Even as Gen Z remains statistically one of the least religiously affiliated generations, several studies suggest Gen Z is also experiencing a notable rise in interest and conversion within the Catholic Church. Some reports even suggest that young Catholics, ages 18-29, are some of the most actively engaged members in parish life. What is behind this interest and engagement with Catholicism? Why Catholicism? What do these trends say about our society and the cultural moment we are navigating?This episode's guest, Eyram Klu, OFS, not only has a beautiful journey but also reflects a number of Gen Z trends. Eyram is a Third Order Secular Franciscan, tech consulting professional, digital missionary, evangelist, and speaker. He was fully received into the Catholic Church in 2022, and studies part-time at Duke Divinity School’s Fons Vitae Catholic Fellowship. He has a passionate heart for welcoming those on the margins into the embrace of Christ’s Church and creates content about belonging and discipleship. Follow him on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube @TheAfrociscan, and be on the lookout for a new podcast he is launching in November 2026 called "The Witness" centered on belonging and discipleship in the Catholic Church. Reflection segments throughout the episode are brought to you by Ela Milewska, the Director of Evangelization at the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe.Explore the show notes here:(00:01:59) Why Catholicism?(00:15:38) Becoming a Secular Franciscan(00:22:58) Reflection No. 1: When Saints Chase You(00:26:05) Passion for Parish Life(00:31:06) Good News in the Darkness(00:34:04) Suffering and Inner Transformation(00:40:25) Reflection No. 2: Inviting God Into the Details of Our Lives(00:43:02) Why Young People Are Returning to Church(00:57:30) How the Church is Meeting the Needs of the World Head On(0:1:01:49) Reflection No. 3: Relevance of the Church(01:04:12) Final Thoughts(01:06:43) Invitation(01:08:47) Conclusion

What if the path to freedom isn’t found in finally becoming whole and complete but in learning to embrace our lack? This episode's guest, Peter Rollins, PhD, is a public intellectual known for his work in radical theology, psychoanalysis, and continental philosophy. In this conversation, Pete unpacks his life project, "pyrotheology," a provocative theological approach that invites us into an encounter with the mystery, division, and alienation at the heart of reality itself. Rather than promising wholeness through belief, success, self-improvement, or even traditional religion, pyrotheology suggests that true liberation comes when we stop fleeing our lack and discover that this very brokenness is shared—even woven into the absolute. Pyrotheology's emphasis on the Crucified God and relationality also makes way in this episode for dialogue about its fascinating overlaps with Franciscan theology. This conversation will stretch you, unsettle you, and perhaps even liberate you.Explore the show notes here.(00:00:01) Introduction(00:02:25) What is Pyrotheology?(00:07:50) The Danger in Promises of Wholeness and Completeness(00:15:28) Capitalism, Drive, Desire, and Enjoyment(00:20:01) Reflection No. 1: Sacred Objects and Desire(00:24:25) Cultivating Enjoyment(00:29:56) Hedonistic and Nihilistic Religions vs. Religions of the Absurd(00:36:50) Reflection No. 2: Christ Crucified and the San Damiano Cross(00:40:57) Community, Communion, and the Commons(00:46:24) Christ Crucified and the Eucharist(00:49:21) What About the Trinity?(00:57:43) The Apophatic Tradition and Catholicism(01:01:23) Parable: The Mystic, Evangelical, and Fundamentalist(01:04:26) Parable: Seamus Goes to Las Vegas(01:07:43) Relationality, Lack, and Love(01:11:50) Reflection No. 3: Letting Lack Guide Us(01:16:50) The Contemplative Mystical Tradition and Pyrotheology(01:20:50) Shared Alienation(01:25:33) What Does this Conversation Mean for Our Everyday Lives?(01:30:58) Conclusion

Politics, workplaces, education, sports...no matter where you look, it seems that so many avenues of American life are experiencing a crisis in leadership. What might the Franciscan posture of relationship, mutuality, and humble listening offer an age in crisis? Is there such a thing as Franciscan leadership, and if so, what is it? How have different leadership models evolved throughout history, and where might they be leading us? Sara P. Marks is the founder and CEO of Fina Catalysts LLC (https://finacatalysts.wordpress.com). Sara works with Catholic nonprofits to transform organizations for a mission-driven future. She facilitates congregational assemblies and chapters, works with leadership teams, associate communities, and leads retreat experiences grounded in charism and mission. As a former vowed Franciscan, she understands the intricacies of religious life and the unique challenges congregations face in the 21st Century. Sara holds a bachelor’s degree from West Chester University in Literature and a master’s from The University of Dayton in Pastoral Ministry. She is currently working on her PhD in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in nonprofit and public administration at Eastern University. (00:00:01) Introduction (00:03:13) Leadership Background and Experiences (00:10:20) Adaptive Leadership (00:17:00) Reflection No. 1: Exploring Servant and Adaptive Leadership (00:21:50) Impact of Personal Experiences on Leadership (00:25:48) Franciscan Leadership: Listening, Relationships, and Sine Proprio (00:35:24) Reflection No. 2: Exploring Sine Proprio and the Essence of Ideas (00:39:05) Adaptive Leadership: The Challenge of Making Decisions (00:41:27) Evolving Leadership Models and Integrating Franciscan Principles (00:48:52) Addressing the Crisis of Leadership in Society (00:54:39) Franciscan Community and Political Discourse (00:57:42) Reflection No. 3: Considering the Whole in Political Discourse (01:03:30) Navigating Political Differences with Grace (01:11:21) The Role of Technology in Dialogue (01:15:25) The Call for a Franciscan Renaissance and Posture (01:24:39) Conclusion

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