The Franciscans in Canterbury, England

Canterbury, England

Conventual Franciscan Friar Ed Ondrako is a passionate scholar. He lives and does a lot of his work in Canterbury, England. Recently he has published a couple of articles. One of these appeared in a book titled “Canterbury Studies in Franciscan History II” while the other was published in “De Maria Numquam Satis: The Significance of the Catholic Doctrines on the Blessed Virgin Mary for All People”.

The University of Kent

Friar Ed Ondrako’s residency in Canterbury, England allows him to continue his scholarly work without abatement. Friar Ed along with studying friars and lay students has the International Study Centre’s Franciscan Library to conduct his research. With 50,000 books (including a collection designated for Franciscan studies) and periodicals that also number in the thousands, scholars working at the library always find whatever resource they are looking for. One of these, as an example, is St. Bonaventure’s “Legenda Maior Sancti Francisci” – a 14th century manuscript.

St. Bonaventure

The Franciscan presence in Canterbury goes back to1224 – when Francis of Assisi was still alive. One of their original 13th century buildings still stands and is periodically used for Masses.

Friar Ed’s home – St. Anthony’s Friary - was opened in 1974 and is bustling with friars from around the world who are undergoing formation and conducting various academic studies. Its location next to the University of Kent and a breathtaking view of the city of Canterbury gives the residing friars a perfect opportunity to conduct their learning.

(Sources for all related images on the webpage and homepage: The Conventual Franciscan Friars Immaculate Conception Province Provincialgram, www.thegreyfriars.org, and www.wikipedia.org.)