On the slopes of El Pardo, a protected natural area located on the outskirts of Madrid, the Capuchin friars have maintained a presence for over four hundred years through various projects characterized by a clear spiritual vision and a spirit of hospitality. It is within this historical and natural setting that the Higher School for Franciscan Studies (ESEF) is located, administered by the Capuchin Province of Spain with a distinct inter-Franciscan identity. The school was founded with the aim of improving the quality of Franciscan spiritual and academic formation in the Spanish language, with the deep conviction that study should not be separated from daily life. On the contrary, Franciscan thought serves as a lens through which to understand the art, culture, and social realities of our time, addressing crucial issues such as war, economic injustice, and migration.
Given its inter-Franciscan nature, the ESEF is not limited to Capuchin friars who wish to deepen their understanding of Franciscanism but is open to all Franciscan congregations—both male and female—as well as to institutes of religious life and laypeople.
An academic program in the Franciscan tradition
The core of the academic program is the Franciscan Studies curriculum, which runs from January to June and aims to combine academic rigor with the challenges of real life. The program is structured into progressive modules that guide students on a deep exploration, beginning with the original sources and biographical writings of St. Francis and St. Clare. Students then explore the entire history of the movement through the centuries and delve into the thought of great Franciscan philosophers and theologians such as St. Bonaventure, Duns Scotus, and Raymond Lull. A central aspect of the program is the application of this spirituality to the major issues of contemporary society, fostering a critical dialogue on peace, ecology, inequality, and war.
What makes this program truly unique is the holistic experience of daily life it offers. Those who attend the school do not merely absorb theoretical content but become part of a true community where men and women religious, missionaries, and many laypeople from different countries live, study, and pray together. It is a precious time filled with silence, contemplation, and fraternity, where one learns not to cling to material things, to think of the common good, and to freely offer service to others in one’s daily life.
The Silver Jubilee
In 2026, the School of Franciscan Studies will celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary. This significant milestone reinforces its prestige and uniqueness, offering the opportunity not only to study, but to “study and live together.” Its significance also stems from the fact that, to this day, it remains the only school of Franciscan studies in the world to offer its academic program entirely in Spanish.