St. Francis of Assisi | love2learn.net

St. Francis of Assisi - from Lives of the Saints by Rev. Alban Butler (1894)

Saint Francis, the son of a merchant of Assisi, was born in that city in 1182. Chosen by God to be a living manifestation to the world of Christ's poor and suffering life on earth, he was early inspired with a high esteem and burning love of poverty and humiliation. The thought of the Man of Sorrows, Who had not where to lay His head, filled him with holy envy of the poor, and constrained him to renounce the wealth and worldly station which he abhorred. The scorn and hard usage which he met with from his father and townsmen when he appeared among them in the garb of poverty were delightful to him. "Now," he exclaimed, "I can say truly, 'Our Father Who art in heaven.'" But divine love burned in him too mightily not to kindle like desires in other hearts. Many joined themselves to him, and were constituted by Pope Innocent III into a religious Order, which spread rapidly throughout Christendom. St. Francis, after visiting the East in the vain quest of martyrdom, spent his life like his Divine Master - now in preaching to the multitudes, now amid desert solitudes in fasting and contemplation. During one of these retreats he received on his hands, feet, and side the print of the five bleeding wounds of Jesus. With the cry, "Welcome, sister Death," he passed to the glory of his God October 4, 1226.

Saint Francis

Author(s):

Nikos Kazantzakis

Subject(s):

Saint Stories

Grade / Age level:

Adults

1962

Review:

This should not be the first book you read about St. Francis. It is a book for those who are already familiar with the saint. It is a novelization, or fictionalization of the adult life of St. Francis, as told through the eyes of a fictional Brother Leo.

The story is well woven by Kazantzakis, a prolific writer who spent most of his life (1883-1957) in Greece, but who gave up his Greek Orthodox faith at some point in his life (and did not embrace any other faith), who was introduced to St. Francis when he visited the city of Assisi.

As historical fiction, this book serves as an interesting chance to hear more details about St. Francis's everyday life. It focuses especially on the struggle between spirit and flesh, and the saint is constantly battling fatigue, starvation, extreme thirst, and even when he is weakened by these, he is still searching for ways to mortify his flesh, something Brother Leo tries to stop but cannot.

I can clearly see how this book would be of benefit to those who would like help imagining St. Francis's daily life. And his heroic virtues are evident in the story, and are exemplary. However, this book is not for those who want to stick to the historical record. For example, the main character, Brother Leo, is ficticious. And I know of no historical eveidence that the brothers who banded with St. Francis ever called him "Father Francis" which Kazantzakis has them do. St. Francis was never ordained a priest, and so would not have been called "Father."

There are study questions at the end of the book to assist book clubs in bringing out the ideas of the book. There are but 12 questions, each of which could be discussed in a session. For example, "Francis preaches and lives out of a total dependence on God. What did this mean for him in terms of the concrete realities of his daily life? What might it mean for you?"

This book shows the challenges of living as a saint in the world, and in addition, as one reads, one is challenged to question one's own life and the things we think of as important. Francis's poverty is exemplary, his dependence on God marvelous, his attractiveness is evident as more and more men come to him, seeking the life he lives, seeking God.

I think that for adults, this book can be helpful. It shows St. Francis is a very vividly imaginative story, and unusual telling of his life. Yet, it is also a story that draws you in, and helps the reader think about God, life and living as a saint.

Publisher:

Loyola Press

Additional notes:

Introduction by John Michael Talbot

Review Date:

12-5-05

Reviewed by:

Nancy Carpentier Brown

TitleSort:

Saint Francis

Saint Francis of Assisi

Author(s):

G.K. Chesterton

Subject(s):

Setting:

Grade / Age level:

Review:

This is a truly amazing and beautiful "sketch" of St. Francis of Assisi - not so much a story (though a number of stories are included) as an appreciation and elucidation of who Saint Francis was and, quite simply, the impact he had on the world.

The book is substantial and very rich. I found that I had to put it aside at the end of each chapter to "digest" it for awhile rather than read it too quickly straight through. In addition to providing deep insights into the life of St. Francis, Chesterton provides wonderful tools for the study of history and explanations of some of his own philosophy about life (which was significantly inspired by St. Francis). Chesterton keenly explains St. Francis' heartfelt courtesy towards everyone he met, his devotion to poverty (and even to the freedom of poverty - what a remarkable concept!) and other aspects of his life, all illuminated by his desire to imitate Christ.

I really like how Chesterton helps us to understand Francis by examining a few particular stories - paradigms that exemplify his life and his philosophy - in depth, rather than a typical biography which attempts to tell the entire story brought to life through many details. It is certainly worthwhile to read detailed biographies (and it would be helpful to read one of these - even if it's a children's version - before studying Chesterton's book), but this detailed exposition will add a great deal to your understanding of Saint Francis. It seems a very wise way to study a subject - or at least to begin to study a subject - because we are often so overwhelmed with numerous details that we are unable to grasp a sense of the whole.

Binding:

Softcover

Perspective:

Catholic

Additional notes:

This book is available in numerous editions - including one from Ignatius Press which also includes Chesterton's book on St. Thomas Aquinas.

Review Date:

3-1-2007

Reviewed by:

Alicia Van Hecke

TitleSort:

Saint Francis of Assisi

Francis and Clare

Saints of Assisi

Author(s):

Helen Walker Homan

Subject(s):

Setting:

Grade / Age level:

1956

Review:

I've been reading a number of the Vision Books aloud to my five year old daughter and she seems to like each one more than the last. The story of Saint Francis is both uplifting and enjoyable, due to the many humorous events captured in the story. The book is also informative enough to be interesting to older children and even adults (I had never read a full-length book about St. Francis).

Publisher:

Ignatius Press

Series:

Vision

Binding:

Sewn Softcover

Perspective:

Catholic

Number of pages:

187 pages

Review Date:

1999

Reviewed by:

Alicia Van Hecke

TitleSort:

Francis and Clare