Daniel P. Horan, OFM is a Franciscan Friar (of the Order of Friars Minor [1] of Holy Name Province [2]) and a Franciscan theological and spiritual writer. He studied Theology (in the School of Arts and Sciences) and Journalism (in the Jandoli School of Journalism) at St. Bonaventure University and studied in the Master of Arts in Systematic Theology and Master of Divinity programs at the Washington Theological Union. He previously taught in the Department of Religious Studies at Siena College in Loudonville, NY. He currently serves on the International Thomas Merton Society Board of Directors.[3]
He has written extensively on Franciscan theology, philosophy and spirituality[4] as well as given lectures and delivered academic papers (in both the UK and the US) on the theological and social significance of the work of Thomas Merton.[5] His current work focuses on postmodern thought and the use of medieval franciscan thinkers like John Duns Scotus as well as the authentic retrieval of their thought for contemporary theological inquiry; the life, work and thought of Thomas Merton; and contemporary systematic and constructive theologies.
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Horan entered the Franciscans as a postulant for Holy Name Province in July 2005 and entered the Novitiate the following year after which he professed his first vows in 2007. He professed his Solemn Vows in the Order of Friars Minor in August 2011 and was ordained to the diaconate in the Roman Catholic Church in September 2011. At a young age he had already begun to write and publish articles on matters of theology and spirituality. The first widely-received published work is his article "Dating God: A Young Friar's Experience of Solitude"[6] which appeared in the Jesuit-run Catholic Magazine America (magazine). Much of his work has appeared in Franciscan journals, most notably The Cord.[7] Subsequently he has published a number of articles and essays in publications including The Heythrop Journal,[8] The Downside Review, Worship, Review for Religious, Spiritual Life, The Merton Journal, The Merton Annual, Spirtu u Hajja, and others.[9] He is the author of a popular article in the magazine St. Anthony Messenger Magazine, titled "St. Francis and the Millennials: Kindred Spirits."[10] as well as the essay "A Franciscan Millennial and the Memory of 9/11" in the book Franciscan Voices on 9/11.
Horan is working on several book projects and is the author the book Dating God: Live and Love in the Way of St. Francis (St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2012) and the blog Dating God: A Franciscan Spirituality for the 21st Century
Horan seems to have focused his research on the contemporary application of medieval Franciscan thinkers. He has published articles on Bonaventure, John Duns Scotus, Francis of Assisi, and Clare of Assisi, among others, in publications such as Review for Religious, "The Downside Review," "Worship," "The Heythrop Journal," The Cord, and Spiritual Life.[11] His work on Thomas Merton has also resulted in publications in both the United Kingdom and in the US...[12][13] He has delivered lectures,[14] workshops and academic papers in both the US and Europe on Merton - which has received some attention.[15] Horan is also interested in contemporary theological movements, with particular attention paid to the Radical Orthodoxy movement that originated in the UK.