Message
A message from the Principal
Dear Student,
The Franciscan International Study Centre is a unique place for study, sabbatical and formation. Founded in 1973 it continues a long tradition of Franciscan education in England that was started with the friars’ school at Oxford in 1230. St. Francis exhorted his followers to study in such a way that the spirit of prayer and devotion was not extinguished and the Centre continues that tradition by enabling students to keep a healthy balance of prayer, community life and study.
The Study Centre has established itself as the most popular and international destination in the English speaking world for Franciscan Studies and theology taught from within the Franciscan Intellectual Tradition. Our combination of academic excellence, thoughtful orthodoxy and strong community life has supported hundreds of lay Christians, friars and sisters over the years and our spiritual direction programme has been a beacon of spiritual direction training in the Franciscan tradition.
Whether you are coming for certificate level studies or doctoral research our academic staff are committed to the highest levels of both scholarship and student care.
Sabbatical students will find an unrivalled variety of subjects from which to choose to nourish their minds and a team ready to support you to make the most of your stay here. All of our students will find here a spiritual and social life that nourishes the soul and the heart as well as the mind. And for the health of the body there is a medical centre next door, a fully equipped gym a stone’s throw away and the beautiful countryside of the “Garden of England” all around us.
I look forward to greeting you at the Franciscan International Study Centre.
Yours fraternally,
Br. Philippe Yates OFM, Principal
