Vatican approves plan to continue Marian University’s ties to its Catholic, Franciscan traditions

Special to The Criterion

Marian University in Indianapolis and the Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg have jointly announced that the Vatican has approved a plan that will ensure, in perpetuity, the sponsorship of the university in the Catholic, Franciscan tradition.

The same plan applies to the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Ill., and the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate in Joliet.

“This historic development, approved on the feast of St. Clare of Assisi, marks a transformative step for Catholic, Franciscan higher education—to ensure both institutions will continue thriving in the Catholic, Franciscan tradition for generations to come,” noted a press release in early December of 2024 from Marian University.

The sponsorship model—technically called a “public juridic person” (PJP)—was created by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated and Societies of Apostolic Life.

“We are overjoyed that, once again, the Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg have had the courage to venture boldly into something new,” said Franciscan Sister Maureen Irvin, congregational minister of the Sisters of

St. Francis of Oldenburg. “We are proud that we and the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate together requested a pontifical PJP for our sponsored Marian University and their University of St. Francis.

“Knowing that our strong tradition as Catholic, Franciscan universities is assured into the future fulfills the long-standing hope of our sisters, as well as the entire Marian University community.”

The sponsorship model “will have minimal impact on the operations and governance of each individual university,” according to a statement from Marian officials. At the same time, “it provides a critical path by which both universities will be able to retain Franciscan sponsorship.”

Marian University president Daniel Elsener noted, “This PJP is specifically structured to be able to admit additional Franciscan higher education institutions in the future—in collaboration with their sponsoring congregations.”

The PJP sponsorship model for the Franciscan universities drew a rave review from Donna Carroll, president of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities in Washington.

“Rome’s approval of the Franciscan higher education PJP is a statement of confidence—both in the continuity of mission and the vitality of sponsorship,” Carroll said. “The Franciscan sisters and their academic ministries have established a structure that helps ensure the Catholic identity and charism of the universities into the future.

“It is a courageous and generous effort.” †