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Centre for Studies in Religion and Theology - Conference

Interpreting St Francis and St Clare in a multi-religious society: from the middle ages to the present

20-21 November 2009

A conference celebrating the 800th anniversary of the founding of the Franciscan movement
Presented by the Yarra Theological Union, Melbourne College of Divinity and the Centre for Studies in Religion and Theology, Monash University.

Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) is perhaps the most charismatic saint of Christian tradition. In 1209, Francis first gathered a group of followers around him, to live a life committed to the Gospel and evangelical poverty. Not only did he establish in 1209 a community of friars minor or 'little brothers', but he also attracted the attention of Clare of Assisi (1194-1253), daughter of a prominent noble famly. In 1212, Clare escaped from a marriage planned by her parents, to join Francis and the community that he sought to establish. This conference explores the many different ways in which both women and men have sought to interpret the message of Francis of Assisi, within a society marked by diversity of interpretations of religious life, within and outside of Christianity.

Plenary speakers at the conference include Michael Cusato ofm ( Dean of the School of Franciscan Studies at St Bonaventure's University, New York), author of numerous studies on early Franciscan thought and its apocalyptic context; Maurice Carmody (Nelson, New Zealand), author of two books on the history of the Franciscan order, including The Franciscan Story: St Francis of Assisi and his influence since the thirteenth century (London: Athena Press, 2008); holder of the Chair of Franciscan History at the Franciscan University of St Anthony in Rome for fifteen years and a regular visiting lecturer in Franciscan studies in Singapore, Italy, Ireland and the United States; Jacques Dalarun, of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris, former director of medieval studies at the Ecole française de Rome and a Visiting Professor at the Franciscan Institute of St Bonaventure's, New York, author of many publications including The Misadventure of Francis of Assisi (2002), Francis of Assisi and the Feminine (2007), Francis of Assisi and Power (2007), Robert of Arbrissel: Sex, Sin and Salvation in the Middle Ages (2006) and The Stigmata of Francis of Assisi (2006), co-authored with Michael Cusato; Sister Briege O'Hare osc (Ireland), a contemporary exponent of the eremitical Poor Clare way of life.

Jacques Dalarun will deliver a public lecture on Francis and Clare at the Conference Centre, St Mary's College, University of Melbourne, on Thursday 19 November 5.45pm-7.15pm, and will participate in a Postgraduate Advanced Training Seminar Trends, Methodologies and Resources in the Study of Religion and Spirituality in the Medieval and Early Modern Periods

The conference is supported by NEER [Network for Early European Research], the Australian Province of the Franciscan Order, the Melbourne College of Divinity, and the Institut de Recherche et d'Histoire des Textes, Paris.

Venue

Study Centre
Yarra Theological Union
98 Albion Road
Box Hill Vic 3128

Programme

See Conference Programme [pdf 44kb]

Abstracts

See Conference Abstracts [pdf 91kb]

Registration and Accommodation

See Registration and Accommodation

The seminar is preceded by a Postgraduate Advanced Training Seminar Trends, Methodologies and Resources in Studying Medieval and Early Modern Religion and Spirituality

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