Francis of Assisi: The Message in His Writings

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ISBN: 1-57659-127-1 $20.00 The Franciscan Institute St. Bonaventure University St. Bonaventure, NY 14778 (716)375-2105 Fax: (716)375-2156 franinst.sbu.edu Francis of Assisi The Message in His Writings Thaddée Matura OFM Thaddée Matura Francis of Assisi The Message in His Writings Francis of Assisi The Message in His Writings Thaddée Matura, OFM Our ideas of what Francis was like and how he lived are based mostly, if not exclusively, on what his ancient and modern biographers tell us. The result is that his message and his type of spirituality have come to be identified with his popular image as the lover of nature and the friend of birds and animals. However, although he had no formal training in theology, he has left us a profound yet warmly human vision of the Christian life, a vision that goes far beyond the conventional idea of what that life should mean for everyone , cleric and lay alike. In this study, the author breaks with custom and focuses, not on the personality of Francis , but on his message as we find it in his writings : a rich, balanced message that teaches a vibrant spirituality centered on God and humanity and not on the Little poor Man of Assisi who preached to the birds. add bar code ...