Dr. Daniel T. Michaels (“Danny”) is a historical theologian and digital humanist specializing in Franciscan history and spirituality. As Chief Technology Officer at the National Institute for Newman Studies, he leads international teams developing digital tools for archives, museums, libraries, and heritage sites. A longtime contributor to CFIT, Dr. Michaels has pioneered digital humanities initiatives for over two decades—most recently Rednal, a cutting-edge platform for digital collections, AI-enhanced research, and archival preservation.
What does it really mean to live a penitential life today? For members of the Secular Franciscan Order—or anyone drawn to Franciscan spirituality—this question echoes through centuries of tradition, personal devotion, and communal renewal. St. Francis and the Third Order: The Franciscan and Pre-Franciscan Penitential Movement offers a rich historical and theological exploration of this path, grounding the contemporary Third Order in its earliest roots.
