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STEUBENVILLE -- Officials from Franciscan University of Steubenville have announced the college is planning to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the "miraculous imprinting of the sacred wounds of Christ's passion upon St. Francis of Assisi in 1224, by holding a Marked With the Wounds of Christ conference. The conference will include formal academic papers on the subject, along with sacred liturgies, a performance by the Sacred Music program and student presentations. Co-sponsored by the university's sister school, St. Francis University, the conference will be held on the campus of Franciscan University Sept. 12-14.
"Stigmata has been the focus of much academic discussion and popular fascination since St. Francis became the first to miraculously receive the wounds of Christ," university officials stated. "Conference presenters will examine the evidence for St. Francis' stigmata, its legacy in the history of the Franciscan order and the life of the Church, and its implications for Christian theology, philosophy and anthropology."
"Franciscan University's mission is to educate, evangelize and send forth joyful disciples," said the Rev. Jonathan St. André, TOR, vice president for Franciscan life. "It is a blessing for us to celebrate the legacy of St. Francis who was a disciple of Jesus Christ and was so transformed by love that he bore the very wounds of his master. We are excited to celebrate the conversion that Francis experienced through his encounter with the crucified Christ, as we recognize that this is our call as followers of Christ today." Keynote addresses will be offered by Joshua C. Benson, associate professor of historical and systematic theology at the Catholic University of America, and Carolyn Muessig, chair of Christian thought at the University of Calgary. For information or to register for the event, visit franciscan.edu/marked-with-the-wounds-of-Christ.