“Love in Action” was the theme of a three-day intensive training experience for emerging Franciscan advocates attended by eight Siena Saints.
The students traveled to the Franciscan Justice Leadership Conference, hosted October 18-20, in Washington, D.C. by the Franciscan Action Network and the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities. The Siena group was led by Will Figueroa, director of the Franciscan Center for Service and Advocacy (FCSA), and Br. Jacek Orzechowski, assistant director of the Laudato Sí Center for Integral Ecology.
“The conference empowers students to connect their faith with public witness,” said Figueroa. “Students now see advocacy as a key part of the long-term solutions to challenges in the community.”
Students interested in attending had to go through a selective application process coordinated by Siena’s FCSA, writing an essay sharing how they would use the Washington experience to facilitate change in their community.
The goals of the conference were to equip students with skills to engage in nonviolent, values-based advocacy and to deepen their understanding of Franciscan spirituality and Catholic social teaching. The sessions provided practical tools for organizing, policy engagement, and community leadership, and culminated in a visit to Capitol Hill to speak with Congressional staff.
Now that they’re back home, the students will meet with Mission Office community partners like Catholic Charities, and integrate their conference takeaways into service immersion and advocacy initiatives through next semester.
“The leadership conference really taught us that it takes community to stand up for what is right, and that you have to stand with one another, with love,” said Tynicia Hendrix ’26. “My advice for fellow Siena students is to follow the word of the Lord or whoever you choose to worship and love one another, building the community that Siena has to offer.”
Kira Forget ’28 called the trip to Washington “an incredible experience,” and welcomed the opportunity to take workshops in non-violent communications, and how to speak with government officials.
“We were able to do so many amazing things: we explored the sights of the city, met hard-working leaders from across the country, and learned a multitude of new skills from FAN’s trainings,” Forget said. “My favorite part of the trip was spending our last day in DC on Capitol Hill. It was amazing to walk through governmental buildings where decisions are made and talk to representatives about issues we are passionate about and believe they should be passionate about, too!”
Learning to put spiritual faith into action was “profoundly inspiring” for first-time attendee Milo Zlatev ’27.
“Being surrounded by people of faith who are committed to uplifting marginalized communities and working for systemic justice reminded me of the power of collective compassion,” said Zlatev. “The conversations, prayers, and calls to action here embody what it means to live out justice through faith not as an idea, but as a shared mission rooted in hope, dignity, and love.
Also attending were Evan Antolick ’29, Poem DeRosier ’29, Aaliyah Hamid ’29, Theron Samuel '29, and Jaden Simpson ’26.
