Pope Leo XIV's Magnifica Humanitas: A Shared Discernment Process

Join us for a Spirit-filled 6-week Zoom journey through one of the most significant Church documents of our time. Brother Mark, Franciscan Friar and longtime resident of San Damiano Retreat, invites you to read, reflect, and dialogue together through highlights of Pope Leo XIV's first Encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas — "The Magnificence of Humanity."
Whether you're deeply rooted in your faith or simply curious, this series is designed to be accessible, welcoming, and rich with conversation. No theology background required — just an open heart and a willingness to explore together.
DATES & TIMES
Monday evenings | 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM Pacific
Sept. 14 | Sept. 21 | Sept. 28 | Oct. 5 | Oct. 12 | Oct. 19

FORMAT: Zoom (link provided upon registration)
COST: $100 per person for all six sessions
WHAT WE'LL EXPLORE
Our first session (Sept. 14) covers the Introduction and Chapter One. Over six weeks, we'll journey through:
Introduction
Chapter One: A Dynamic Approach Faithful to the Gospel
Chapter Two: Foundations & Principles of the Church's Social Doctrine
Chapter Three: Technology & Dominance — The Grandeur of Humanity in Light of AI
Chapter Four: Safeguarding Humanity — Truth, Work & Freedom
Chapter Five: The Culture of Power and the Civilization of Love
Conclusion

GETTING YOUR COPY
The Encyclical is available free online at the Vatican website:
www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20250515-magnifica-humanitas.html?utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e0_tv4_a1demo0fjm7mul
Printed copies are also available at the San Damiano Gift Shop. Any edition works — paragraphs are numbered, so we can follow along together from any version.
Quick tip: Search for Pope Leo XIV's Magnifica Humanitas (2026) — not to be confused with Pope Leo XIII's 1891 encyclical, which may appear in search results.
ABOUT BROTHER MARK
Brother Mark has been a Franciscan Friar for over 40 years and makes his home here at San Damiano Retreat in Danville, CA. Trained in spiritual direction, he has ministered in social justice advocacy, ecological awareness, and nonviolence, and has served as Guardian (local superior) in multiple Franciscan friaries. He brings a distinctly Franciscan spirit to all his work — marked by openness to many forms of spirituality, care of self, and the sacred value of action in everyday life. He is also active in 12 Step spirituality.