Reluctant Saint: The Life of Francis of Assisi (Compass)

I hate to write this, but I have to be honest. This book is nicely written, but it really tells us nothing about the real Francis - the human being behind all the myth and fanciful legend. Perhaps that is simply not possible to do, since all the source material is written by purveyors of the Francis cult. But there are so many imponderables, so many holes in the popular story of his life...yet this author doesn't even adopt a skeptical approach.

SIMPLICITY
Francis' simplicity was an implicit correction to the luxury and privilege that defined much of ecclesiastical life (p. 68).

THE BIBLE AND DESIRING NOTHING BUT GOD
As always with Francis' letters and sayings, almost half the text cited biblical verses (p. 118). His only literary influence had been the New Testament (p. 211). God is the ultimate good and must have priority in our lives. Our lives themselves manifest the praise of God. We give thanks for the beauty of the world. We long to believe fully in the triune God, Who created, redeemed and will finally act in love to save us forever. We long to desire nothing but God, on Whom we depend and in Whom we hope. We want to love God because He first loved us.

CONSTANTLY TURNING TO GOD AND PREACHING BY EXAMPLE
Doing penance means constantly turning to God. We are poor because God is rich, and everything good belongs to Him. Therefore, we need not be concerned about ourselves, our honor, our earthly goals. We can abandon ourselves and leave ourselves open to Him Who gives us everything. He is not unfeeling or indifferent, but He constantly draws near to us, speaks to us, saves us. For all these reasons, we are also concerned for the well-being and salvation of all mankind. We prefer the celebration and the living out of faith rather than the disputing about it – hence we go among unbelievers and preach to others mostly by example (p. 185).

THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
No early source worthy of credibility reports bloody wounds in the hands and feet [of Francis]. The marks...were described as blackened excrescences, which are not inconsistent with diseases such as leprosy...The sufferings of Jesus were the primary coping mechanism for the sick -- people looked to the cross for strength. It would not be surprising if Francis' companions after his death quite logically interpreted his leprosy as a sharing in the sufferings of Christ. Lepers were the pariahs of the Middle Ages, forced to be outcasts and regarded only as reprehensible sinners to be avoided at all cost. Francis, in imitation of Jesus, had been unafraid to touch and nurse them even in their worst state (p. 194).

Using it to teach a class on St. Francis.

Great experience.

Great book. Exactly as described. Good price. Get it

I know little about St. Francis, but enjoyed the read.

And amazing biography of my favorite saint !

Absolutely fantastic book!

Great read. after reading the book I realized it strengthen my Faith. We all are on journey.

Required for Class. Not my preferred reading material.