In response to Synod, Province establishes Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry

At FST, I had the privilege of meeting Br. Keith Warner, OFM, a practical social ethicist and theologian whose work has shaped innovative approaches to forming young adults in the graduate environment. His integration of Franciscan spirituality with contemporary ministry challenges highlights how deeply the Franciscan tradition continues to speak to young adults seeking meaning and mission. 

FST offers a range of programs—from online certificates in Franciscan theology to full graduate degrees in theological studies or divinity—designed to ground ministers in the global Franciscan intellectual tradition and prepare them for service in today’s Church. These pathways reflect a truth we heard in our provincial survey: young adults desire spirituality that is accessible, embodied and lived. 

For those beginning to explore the Franciscan way of life, several recommended works surfaced in our conversation:  

• “Poverty and Joy: The Franciscan Tradition” by Br. William J. Short, OFM 

• “Care for Creation: A Franciscan Spirituality of the Earth” by Br. Keith Warner, OFM 

• “Build with Living Stones” by Daria Mitchell  

Engaging the “nones”: Belonging before belief 

Across our visits, one theme echoed consistently: belonging often precedes believing. 

At FST and in surrounding campus communities, friars and ministry staff have created spaces where young adults – including many who claim no formal religious affiliation – feel welcomed, accompanied and invited into meaningful exploration. Many are drawn not to institution, but to the witness of Saints Francis, Clare, Bonaventure and Bl. Duns Scotus – figures whose lives continue to captivate those longing for authenticity, simplicity and purpose. 

At St. Mark’s Parish at the University of California, this approach has borne remarkable fruit. Under the leadership of Br. Ryan Thornton, OFM, and in collaboration with the campus ministry team, the parish has cultivated: 

• One of the youngest parish councils in the province 

• A model of shared leadership and responsibility 

• A thriving sacramental life that draws up to 700 students for Sunday Mass 

• A community where young adults feel “given the keys,” empowered to shape their parish home 

This environment embodies the central Franciscan insight that relationship, trust and witness open the doors to faith. 

Learning from our history: Walking with the people 

Our visits to Mission San Luis Rey and Mission Santa Barbara offered a window into the long arc of Franciscan ministry in the United States. These mission sites are more than historical landmarks — they are living reminders of how Franciscans have served communities since the 1700s. 

During a retreat for discerners, Br. Joe Schwab, OFM, who cares for the archives of his Province of St. Barbara, captured this well: “Franciscan ministry in America has always reinvented itself to meet the needs of the people.” 

This historical perspective speaks directly to our Synod Priority #3 mandate. If we are to accompany today’s young Church, we too must listen, adapt and innovate. 

Listening together, building together 

Throughout this journey, the desire for collaboration has been unmistakable. At one gathering, a novice named Kevin asked: 

“What is the role of the friars in ministry development… and how can we help?” 

This question reflects a growing hunger across the province for shared mission, shared responsibility, and shared discernment. 

In response, we have refined our youth, young adult and friar-facing surveys, ensuring the questions invite honest reflection and practical insight. We plan to expand this work into parish and ministry-based listening sessions, where young adults can speak directly into the vision we are shaping. 

Please share these surveys with youth and young adults, and the people who minister to them, at your ministry site. 

Invitation: Youth & Young Adult Ministry Listening Session Webinar 

This webinar will introduce a simple, adaptable model for hosting local Listening Sessions within parishes, schools, and ministries. Whether you are a friar, lay minister, religious sister, volunteer, or diocesan partner—you are invited to join us. 

Your voice, your context, and your experience matter deeply to this work. 

When: February 10–12 at 12 p.m. Pacific / 3 p.m. Eastern