Reflections and Tributes from CFIT Board Members Honoring Dominic Monti, OFM on His Transitus from This Life

Board Members of the Commission on the Franciscan Intellectual-Spiritual Tradition (CFIT) share reflections and tributes in honor of Dominic Monti, OFM 1943-2026.

Br. Bill Short, OFM

Our brother Dominic Monti was a great teacher and a dedicated scholar of the Franciscan tradition, a tradition he both studied and lived. Among his many contributions, I would single out particularly his work in translation of Franciscan texts as especially important. For the series Bonaventure Texts in Translation he produced a volume of Bonaventure’s Writings Concerning the Franciscan Order, one I especially enjoyed using for its early collection of questions and answers on the Order’s Rule. For the same series he also translated the important theological treatise, the Breviloquium. When I was working with Regis Armstrong and Wayne Hellmann on the Francis of Assisi: Early Documents volumes, Dominic helped us in many ways on questions of Franciscan history, as well as translating Latin texts whenever asked.

During his many years of service on the CFIT Commission, Dominic produced popular set of thumbnail postings on Franciscan people and events for its website, a feature that continues today as the “Saints” feature on the home page. His long years as chair of the Commission saw great strides in the development of the website and a constant increase in its usage by brothers and sisters around the world.

A genuine friar, a good friend and colleague, our brother Dominic will be greatly missed by the great Franciscan Family in the US and abroad. We join in prayer to ask the Lord to receive him into the heavenly company of Francis and Clare and their followers. May he rest in peace.

Darleen Pryds, CFIT Co-Chair

I came to know Dominic through our shared service on the CFIT Board since 2012, and eventually more closely as members of the CFIT Executive Committee. He struck me as learned in the Franciscan tradition, but more importantly he impressed me with his patience and willingness to listen with care to differing opinions. That is not always the case even in our Franciscan world. Dominic accepted differences and sometimes waited at length during our Zoom meetings until one of us less-patient committee members urged a decision. Looking back, I think those periods of silence—that waiting for discernment more than a decision—were a contemplative offering to otherwise administrative meetings during which the capacity to relate with one another with true presence could easily have been pressed into something more time-efficient and less relational. He coaxed us all into presence, and that was a real gift that I will miss.

Dawn M. Nothwehr, OSF, Ph.D.

I never knew Br. Dominic personally. However, when I first began serious study of the Franciscan sources, starting with Romona Miller, OSF, Ingrid Peterson, OSF, and Zachary Hayes, OFM - everyone told me he was a "must read".... His work on the critical editions of Bonaventure's works - especially. 

Later, when I served on the Editorial Board for Washington Theological Union's journal, I became familiar with his articles on topics such as: "Franciscan Identity & Modern Culture," "Franciscan Evangelization" and "Franciscan Use of Scripture."

I was never privileged to meet him in person. However, I do believe I came to know a good measure of his brilliant mind and true Franciscan Heart! 

Joshua C. Benson, Ph.D.

Like the scribe in the Gospel, Dominic Monti brought many things old and new from the storehouse of the Franciscan tradition. He was an excellent translator, as evidenced by his work on the superb collection of Bonaventure's writings Writings Concerning the Franciscan Order, and his translation of Bonaventure's Breviloquium. He was also a sharp-eyed historian and a clear and accessible writer, as his Francis and His Brothers shows. I loved finding myself next to Dominic at a gathering or a dinner. I knew I'd get fabulous stories more fabulously told. I knew that anytime I had a thought about some piece of Franciscan History, or even the history of some random small town in Pennsylvania, Dominic was likely to know something about it and share it enthusiastically. He was a constant encouragement to me in my teaching at the Institute and I remain very grateful that he served as one of the readers on my dissertation. His love of the tradition will be missed; may his memory inspire us to continue the work in the same fervent spirit.

Debi Haug, MTS-FT, Executive Director AFCU

I will always remember the welcoming spirit of Dominic. From the beginning of my involvement in CFIT, he was always so kind and accepting of me and was very open to the involvement of the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities in CFIT. Dominic has been such an amazing presence in the Franciscan world and has had so much to offer. There are so many who will continue to benefit from the scholarship and willingness to share his knowledge in the Franciscan world. God Bless Dominic and all those who love him.

Br. Tommy Piolata, OFM

Dominic Monti was not only a learned and prolific scholar, but he was also encouraging of others. Unfortunately, that characteristic is not always a given among academics. But Dominic, a true friar minor, was excited to hear about others' work and to encourage them in their endeavors. I'm grateful that I've had more than one opportunity to work with Dominic. He loved his Franciscan life and the Franciscan tradition, and that love was inspiring and formative.