Julianne Wallace — The Piazza: Franciscan Encounter in a Disconnected Age

In a time when loneliness and disconnection are at historic highs, how can resurrecting community help us awaken to what Thomas Merton called our “true selves”? In an age of division, how might principles from the Franciscan way help us to uncover our “original unity”? What does real, authentic, diverse community look like today? And what does Pope Leo’s new encyclical Magnifica Humanitas say about using digital tools to build a universal human family? What might a digital “piazza” offer in this technological age?

This episode’s guest is Julianne Wallace, D.Min., the executive director of the Franciscan Federation and a ministry professional deeply rooted in the Franciscan tradition. Throughout her career, Julianne has worked with all branches of the Franciscan family—friars, sisters, secular Franciscans, associates, as well as serving a year with the Franciscan Volunteer Ministry—and she continues to build bridges and foster collaboration across the wider Franciscan world.

The Franciscan Federation is a member organization that brings together vowed religious, secular Franciscans, associates, and all who seek to live out a Franciscan life today. The Federation also hosts the Piazza, a digital gathering place inspired by the Piazza del Comune in Assisi, where people from every Franciscan path can meet, pray, learn, and build community together. To learn more about Fran Fed, visit www.franfed.org. To join the Piazza, visit thepiazza.franfed.org.

View the show notes here.

(00:00:01) Introduction

(00:02:33) Exploring the Franciscan Federation

(00:07:06) The Piazza Project: A Digital Community

(00:19:01) The True Self and the Common Good

(00:27:14) Reflection No. 1: Deep Gladness and Deep Need

(00:29:57) Masks and Ego

(00:34:38) From Communication to Communion

(00:42:39) Reflection No. 2: Moving Toward Communion

(00:45:10) Echo Chambers and the Role of Community

(00:55:57) Reflection No. 3: Remembering Who We Are

(00:59:40) Exploring Magnifica Humanitas

(1:07:03) In the Footsteps of Mary Magdalene

(1:14:10) Final Thoughts and Conclusion