Franciscan Spirituality

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Does anyone out there know any good books about Franciscan Spirituality that are traditional / orthodox. I’m interested in checking it out but every book I find on Amazon is written by someone with questionable catholic beliefs, liberation theology, far left politics, centering prayer, etc.
 
Try the books; Catch Me A Rainbow & Catch Me A Rainbow Too; both by Lester Bach, OFM. These books are used in Franciscan Formation.
 
Mike0000 said:
Does anyone out there know any good books about Franciscan Spirituality that are traditional / orthodox. I’m interested in checking it out but every book I find on Amazon is written by someone with questionable catholic beliefs, liberation theology, far left politics, centering prayer, etc.
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Salutations
I read a Catholic digest years ago. It showed some humanity of St John Bosco and St. Francis. My recollection may not be correct, so I don’t want to type what I recall. I wonder if we google, Catholic Readers Digest and sub Google articles on the above, if correct. It was cute.
in Christ’s love
Tweedlealice
The love of God to sacrifice as Francis, to spend hours in prayers to receive the Stigmata… I am humbled. and weak.
in Christ’s love
Tweedlealice
Also, St. Gemma. Google Catholic incorruptible Saints=250. It is interesting.
 
Mike0000 said:
Does anyone out there know any good books about Franciscan Spirituality that are traditional / orthodox. I’m interested in checking it out but every book I find on Amazon is written by someone with questionable catholic beliefs, liberation theology, far left politics, centering prayer, etc.
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I’m a Secular Franciscan so I hate saying this but it’s funny you say how most books are written with someone with questionable beliefs. I’d have to agree. A book called Enthusiasm by Knox he points out that, and I forget the reason why, but that Fransiscans have a tendency or easier time to fall into heretical beliefs.

With that said there are good books out there, solidly Catholic and Franciscan.

The Life of St.Francis by St.Bonaventure

You can always read the writings of St.Francis and St.Clare. They will give you an understanding of their spirituality.

You can read the rule and prior rules of OFM and St.Clare.

If you want to go deeper into Franciscan theology and spirituality you can read as someone else said St.Bonaventure The Minds Road to God and really any of St.Bonaventures works which are very numerous.

Some books that I read:
The Little Flowers of St.Francis
Performing the Gospel Life - Cunningham
The Franciscan Story - forget author but it’s a history of the order.
A lot of people like GK Chestettons book but I thought it was just ok.

Some of the movies are good too like Brother Sun Sister Moon

In a nutshell Franciscan Spirituality is based on poverty. Francis wanted him and his brothers to be poor. He loved creation not in a pantheistic view but to praise God. Some like to point Francis and Clare as renegades but they were just the opposite, 110% faithful to the Catholic Church. There many other facets of Franciscan Spirituality, some stress some more than others. I wish you well on your findings!
 
Books by Zachary Hayes, Ewert Cousins, Albert Hausa, John Michael Talbott
 
Not technically a book, but I’ve just finishing listening to an audio lecture series (CD or download) by a company called The Great Courses about the life of St. Francis. It includes some background on the times he lived in, his life story, the spirituality of the Franciscans at the time, there is also a little about how the order developed after his death and about St Clare. Its a good primer on the topic.
 
+Whenever teaching on various spiritualities . . . I always try to begin by sharing their . . . dominant virtue . . . and below is the introductory teaching on Franciscan Spirituality . . . and the book recommended below is an . . .* absolute incomparable treasure to read . . . for anyone really interested in understanding our Blessed St. Francis and his miraculously humble holy walk in the Spririt with our ** LORD* . . .
Franciscan Spirituality’s Dominant Holy Virtue . . . the perfection of the Holy Virtue of Humility

Founder: St. Francis of Assisi. Christ Jesus . . . little poor man . . .

“Humility . . . that slow sweet root . . . from which ALL heavenly virtues shoot . . .”
*- Ancient Irish Couplet *​
  • “The second degree of humility is, when a man loveth not his own will, nor is pleased to fulfill his own desires but by his deeds carrieth out that word of the LORD which saith: “**I **came not to do My own will but the will of Him that sent Me” (Jn 6:38). It is likewise said: “Self-will hath its punishment, but necessity winneth the crown.” * - The Holy Rule of St. Benedict - Chapter VII - Of Humility
*:bible1:
“And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the LORD;
be it done to me according to Thy word . . . ”
Luke 1:38a

Recommended Reading: The Little Flowers of Saint Francis translated by E.M. Blaiklock and S.V. Keys.

God bless . . .

. . . all for Jesus+​
 
An excellent book concerning Franciscan spirituality that is worthy of your time:

“Franciscan Prayer” by Ilia Delio OSF

Also, remember that Franciscan Spirituality is “incarnational”. Not only is there an emphasis on God made flesh in Christ, but also also incarnate through each of us (i.e. How does God show himself to the world through our own flesh). As such, I also suggest reading the Rules written by Francis and Clare as well as the Constitutions of the different Franciscan Orders. The Constitutions are essentially how the Order interprets and is to live the Rule in their daily life. Some of it has to do with governance of the order, but there is a lot that pertains to the individual as well which can be quite enriching. You’ll see the common threads among the Franciscan family, but you’ll also see the variety of diverse yet authentic expressions of Franciscan spirituality.
 
Mike0000 said:
Does anyone out there know any good books about Franciscan Spirituality that are traditional / orthodox. I’m interested in checking it out but every book I find on Amazon is written by someone with questionable catholic beliefs, liberation theology, far left politics, centering prayer, etc.
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Hi Mike,
The Superior of the Franciscans of Life (Miami Archdiocese) used to post regularly, oftentimes in this forum. He went by JReducation as his member name and was (and still is) well-loved and respected.
The Franciscan of Life have their own website at

franciscansoflife.com/

and brother Jay continues as their superior. You might enjoy looking over their website and blog and they have contact information which you could use to ask for book recommendations. Anything backed by Brother Jay, will uphold the Magisterium.
If I remember rightly, he has a Phd in Systemic Theology.
He was most helpful on the forum and has backed off from posting due to health issues. It’s always a joy to see him pop in, usually for a major Franciscan Feast day, with an update.
May God bless you.
jt
P.S. you might also want to search some of his missives here at CAF. 🙂
 
[BIBLEDRB][/BIBLEDRB]Pax et Bonum! A good book for original early documents written by Francis’ first follower - Br Thomas of Celano is - Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents, Volume 1
ISBN# 1-56548-110-0

Inside this book there is a section of Br Thomas Celano’s writings of St Francis’ early life. Br Thomas was asked by the Pope of that time, to do this writing.

You can also see some short stories taken from that book on a blog -

francis1221.wordpress.com

francis1221

francis1221.wordpress.com francis1221.wordpress.com

angeltime
 
Pax et Bonum! Since you are asking for Franciscan Spirituality and some traditional reading, I suggest reading the first Rule of Life St Francis wrote for his followers - Brothers and Sisters of Penance. You can see this Rule of Life and other information at-
bspenance.org

Hope this helps! angeltime[BIBLEDRB][/BIBLEDRB]
 
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