Light in the Dark Ages


Book Description

The Middle Ages were not so very dark, as the old textbooks say. As you will discover in this intriguing portrait of the first Franciscans, we live in dark ages whenever we become preoccupied with power. In this popular history, Jon Sweeney reveals the timeless temptations that come with being human---greed, competition, ego, and selfishness---as well as the many ways that Francis and Clare of Assisi inspired change and brought light into darkness. Discover how Francis was first found by God and then joined by Clare despite the violent objections of her family. Explore a variety of issues that they faced, including the treatment of lepers in medieval society, corruption in the Church, and attitudes toward the created world. You will also learn how Clare's spirituality influenced that of other prominent women, how St. Francis lost control of his own movement, and why Francis's body was secretly buried upon his death. The examples of early Franciscan spirituality challenge any of us who would follow Christ today. How would we view a young person today who rejected family for spiritual reasons? Is it possible for men and women to have deep friendship and remain true to a call to chastity? Is intentional poverty of any value? Have we sentimentalized family to the point of ignoring what Jesus taught his disciples on the subject?




KNOW ABOUT "FRANCIS OF ASSISI"


Book Description

Welcome to the captivating journey of discovering the life and legacy of a man who transformed history through his unwavering devotion and radical ideals—Saint Francis of Assisi. This biography delves into the remarkable story of the founder of the Franciscan Order, a figure whose influence echoes through the ages. Saint Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) was an Italian Catholic friar, friar minor, and founder of the Franciscan Order. He is one of the most venerated saints in the Catholic Church and is known for his love of nature, his care for the poor and sick, and his commitment to peace. Francis was born into a wealthy family in Assisi, Italy. He had a privileged upbringing and enjoyed a carefree life. However, a serious illness in his early 20s led him to question his priorities. He began to spend more time in prayer and meditation, and he eventually gave up his wealth and possessions to live a life of poverty. In this humble and enlightening account, we'll explore the profound impact of Saint Francis on spirituality, culture, and our relationship with the world around us. From his origins in the heart of medieval Italy to his enduring influence in the modern era, Saint Francis's life is a tapestry woven with threads of compassion, humility, and a deep connection with all living beings. As we journey through the chapters that follow, we'll uncover the layers of his life: his early years, his transformational encounter with faith, the establishment of the Franciscan Order, and his revolutionary teachings that emphasized poverty, humility, and a harmonious coexistence with nature. This biography doesn't just recount historical events; it invites you to embrace the spirit of Saint Francis, a man whose unyielding love for humanity and creation continues to inspire hearts across the world. As we venture forth, we'll encounter his miracles, engage with his profound spiritual insights, and reflect on his relevance in a world hungry for compassion and connection. In this exploration of "Francis of Assisi: The Founder of the Franciscan Order." Prepare to be enlightened, inspired, and touched by the timeless wisdom of a man whose legacy transcends centuries. Let us embark on this remarkable journey together, honoring the life and teachings of Saint Francis with open hearts and eager minds. Now, let's venture deeper into history, culture, and the essence of Saint Francis of Assisi. Turn the page, and let the journey unfold before you.




Francis of Assisi - The Founder: Early Documents, vol. 2


Book Description

The Founder is the second volume of the long-awaited and best-selling project Francis of Assisi: Early Documents. All three volumes contain helpful introductions to each section, colored maps, cross references, and extensive annotation. The Founder contains: The Beginning or the Founding of the Order and the Deeds of those Lesser Brothers who where the First Companions of Blessed Francis in Religion The Legend of the Three Companions The Assisi Compilation The Remembrance of the Desire of A Soul by Thomas of Celano The Treatise on the Miracles of Saint Francis by Thomas of Celano An Umbrian Choir Legend A Letter on the Passing of Saint Francis Attributed to Elias of Assisi The Legends and Sermons about Saint Francis by Bonaventure of Bagnoregio Related Documents




Francis of Assisi


Book Description

A biography of the saint as both mystic and man: “The single best book about Francis now available in English” (Commonweal). In this towering work, Andre Vauchez draws on the vast body of scholarship on Francis of Assisi, particularly the important research of recent decades, to create a complete and engaging portrait of the saint. He also explores how the memory of Francis was shaped by contemporaries who recollected him in their writings, and completes the book by setting “il Poverello” in the context of his time, bringing to light what was new, surprising, and even astonishing in the life and vision of this man. The first part of the book is a fascinating reconstruction of Francis’s life and work. The second and third parts deal with the texts—hagiographies, chronicles, sermons, personal testimonies, etc.—of writers who recorded aspects of Francis’s life and movement as they remembered them, and used those remembrances to construct a portrait of Francis relevant to their concerns. Finally, Vauchez explores those aspects of Francis’s life, personality, and spiritual vision that were unique to him, including his experience of God, his approach to nature, his understanding and use of Scripture, and his impact on culture as well as culture’s impact on him. “Considered one of the great spiritual leaders of humankind, Francis of Assisi was also a man of many faces and personas: ascetic, the founder of a religious order, a romantic hero, a mystic, a defender of the poor, a promoter of peace. But as Vauchez emphasizes—and this biography constantly reminds us—Francis was also a flesh-and-blood human being . . . A bracing, erudite account of a mystic’s life.” —Booklist




St. Francis of Assisi


Book Description




The Enthusiast


Book Description

Popular historian and award-winning author Jon M. Sweeney relates the untold story of St. Francis’s friendship with Elias of Cortona, the man who helped him build the Franciscan movement. Sweeney uses the complexities of their relationship in a gripping narrative of how their efforts changed the world and how Elias’s enthusiasm betrayed the ideals of his friend. Few biographies of St. Francis have examined his complicated relationship with close friend Elias of Cortona. In The Enthusiast, award-winning author and historian Jon M. Sweeney delves into this little-known partnership that defined and then almost destroyed Francis’s ideals. Blending history and biography, Sweeney reveals how Francis and Elias rebuilt churches, aided lepers, and entertained as “God’s troubadours” to the delight of everyday people who had grown tired of a remote and tumultuous Church. At the height of their spiritual renaissance, however, Elias became “the devil” to many of the other friars; they believed him to be a traitor to their ideals. After Francis’s premature death, the movement fractured. Scorned by most of the Franciscan leadership, Elias followed a path that would leave him a lonely, broken man. Sweeney shows how Elias’s undoing was rooted in his attempts to honor his old friend. The Enthusiast was the winner of a 2017 Catholic Press Association Book Award: History (Third Place).




Saint Francis of Assisi


Book Description

St. Francis's call is a call to return to the basics of Christianity. It is a call to Christians to reach back to their roots so that their spiritual lives can draw strength from the pure waters of the Gospel instead of being choked by manmade traditions and worldly concerns. In the words of G. K. Chesterton, the coming of Francis “marked the moment when men could be reconciled not only to God but to nature and, most difficult of all, to themselves. … his whole function [was] to tell men to start afresh and, in that sense, to tell them to forget” (124).While St. Francis of Assisi is one of the most beloved saints in history, the relevancy of St. Francis for our times in light of the election of Pope Francis has yet to be explored. This book is written with the intention of filling that gap. While it is biographical in nature, it also freely explores themes that relate to St. Francis but are not a part of his life. This book is about more than the life of St. Francis of Assisi; it is about the impact this beloved saint has had through his imitation of Christ, his love of poverty, the Franciscan movement, and his profound influence on Pope Francis.




Francis of Assisi


Book Description

Brazilian Leonardo Boff explores the relevance of St. Francis to contemporary spirituality and to the construction of a new church. Boff shows how "Il Poverello," the "Little Poor Man" of the 12th century embodies the Church's preferential option for the poor" As a "model of gentleness and care," Francis exemplifies how the spiritual and the social are never separate, but intimately bound together.