The Life of St. Francis of Assisi

by Tan Books and Henry of Avranches

Book Overview

Written shortly after his death, this is the Franciscans' official biography of their great founder. His unusual vocation, life, miracles and greatness--all portrayed briefly, with love and honesty.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0895553430
• ISBN13: 9780895553430
• Release Date: May 2009
• Publisher: Tan Books
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

One of the best sources for Francis' life

And youll be happy to find things that you probably didnt know about the man who changed the world by simply being good and holy and precious. This man was truly touched by God and this book- while published in the original print and linguistics (?) is great for our generation as well. It has that old speaking feel but it speaks to anyone. Anyone at all. Even if you are not Catholic- St. Francis is the healer and the miracle worker for anyone who asks. I was amazed to find out that this man was so much more than I ever knew. And I felt I knew him well. Enjoy this one.

Attracts to Faith

From St. Bonaventure's 13th century "Legenda Sancti Francisci" Cardinal Henry Manning translated into English the "Life of St. Francis" (1867). The current 1988 edition is a 187-page paperback. Fifteen chapters, over 140 pages, present Francis' life, ministry, humility, poverty, piety and fervor. The remaining 47-unchaptered pages present several vignettes from Francis' life (1181-1226) including his Romagna imprisonment (page 164-165) and his saving various shipwrecked monks off Baruti (page162-163). This absorbing book also witnesses the saint's austerity (almost catatonic at times), founding the Franciscan order, Francis' stigmata, his regular church attendance (often sleeping is churches between worships), his death and canonization. Readers hear of Francis' views on preachers (page 74), his love for animals (page 78-85), and his distain for property and money (page 67-68). Bonaventure tells the hair-raising story of Francis' pilgrimage to Africa and his capture by Saracens. Deported to Babylon, the saint is taken before the Sultan. Francis witnesses Christ to the Muslim leader and is later released (Bonaventure presents it with almost miraculous proportions) as the Sultan realizes the man of Assisi to be a "blessed" holy man. Although St. Bonaventure is prone to mystical overstatement (there are several blatant parallels between his Francis and the Gospels' Jesus), Cardinal Manning translates the saint's story into a very good read. Francis' life is profoundly significant as Christian witness. His life will attract readers to faith. This informative and interesting book is recommended to everyone.

Beautiful portrait of a very special man

This book goes over the life of St Francis of Assisi about 15 times, each chapter reflecting a different aspect of his life. I found the format very easy to understand and I think if it were to be written any other way it would not have done this Saint justice because we would not have been able to concentrate each and every one of his virtues. It is written by another Saint, St Bonaventure, so it is highly impressive in it's credentials. I chose St Francis as my confirmation Saint after reading this book. He was a humble Christian who took God's Word very seriously and he is a perfect example of God's love to be seen here on earth. It is impossible to read this book and not be touched by it. My life has literally changed by St Francis, the poor servant of Christ who's love for Christ sets a new standard for us all.

Review from the Publisher

Taken from the Legenda Sancti Francisci and edited, with a preface, by Henry Edward Cardinal Manning. The life of a Saint, written by a Saint, speaks to the heart with a vital power which no work of merely natural genius can command. It has a twofold operation of the Spirit of God with it, both in the subject and in the writer. Among uninspired books there are few that breathe more sensibly the love of God than this famous work. "There is a light and a sweetness about it which is not of this world," says Cardinal Manning. St. Thomas writes about finding St. Bonaventure in his cell writing this work in ecstasy, and drawing back from the door exclaiming, "Let us leave a Saint to work for a Saint." St. Bonaventure conveys a picture of St. Francis through his miracles (including turning water into wine, raising people from the dead, commanding water to flow from bare rock and even curing the author of a childhood illness), his sayings (even the animals were exulted at the sound of his voice) and his holy life that renders an indelible impression of a man totally transformed in God and by God. In short, St. Bonaventure presents the life of a man who was like a seraph - an angel in human form - for no other word but "angel" can truly describe the beloved St. Francis of Assisi.

A Saint's Biography of A Saint

St. Bonaventure, cured of a childhood illness by St. Francis, writes a vivid biography of St. Francis.I think because it is written by a great Saint, this biography perceptively considers St. Francis through his spirituality above all. It is not the most complete memoir of anecdotes about St. Francis' life, but a compendium of anecdotes about St. Francis is not St. Bonaventure's purpose.St. Francis is perceived through his faith in God; in going from Gospel to life and life to Gospel. He is portrayed as the man who gave all to attain the pearl of great price. He was all of these things.As far as biographies go, this one can be classified as not only a chronicle of St. Francis' life, but also spiritual reading which will edify the reader and draw him or her closer to Christ.As St. Francis said, "What a man is in the eyes of God, that he is and no more." St. Bonaventure portrays this truth of St. Francis exeedingly well. Buy this book and, perhaps, it will assist you in going from the Gospel to life and life to the Gospel.