The Complete Writings of St. Francis of Assisi: Newly Translated into English with an Introduction and Notes by Fr. Paschal Robinson

by Francis of Assisi

The Complete Writings of St. Francis Assisi is the only book on the market to include the original writings of St. Francis, his own work, The Little Flowers of St. Francis and a extensive biography of the life and achievements of St. Francis. St. Francis was an extraordinary writer and poet whose writings are sure to move the young and seasoned writer on topics such as life, love, the environment, animals all while keeping a close walk with your creator.

Genres: Religion, Biography, Christian, Theology, Christianity, Spirituality

Paperback

First published January 1, 1220

About the author

Saint Francis of Assisi in Italy as a Roman Catholic friar founded the Franciscan order in 1209 and inspired followers with his devotion, simple living, and love of nature; the pope canonized him in 1228.

A mother at Assisi bore him circa 1182, and he died in 1226.

People more commonly know the order of friars minor.

"To most people ... there is a fascinating inconsistency in the position of Saint Francis. He expressed in loftier and bolder language than any earthly thinker the conception that laughter is as divine as tears. He called his monks the mountebanks of God. He never forgot to take pleasure in a bird as it flashed past him, or a drop of water as it fell from his finger: he was, perhaps, the happiest of the sons of men. Yet this man undoubtedly founded his whole polity on the negation of what we think the most imperious necessities; in his three vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, he denied to himself and those he loved most, property, love, and liberty. Why was it that the most large-hearted and poetic spirits in that age found their most congenial atmosphere in these awful renunciations? Why did he who loved where all men were blind, seek to blind himself where all men loved? Why was he a monk and not a troubadour? These questions are far too large to be answered fully here, but in any life of Francis they ought at least to have been asked; we have a suspicion that if they were answered we should suddenly find that much of the enigma of this sullen time of ours was answered also." --G.K. Chesterton

Reviews

[Luke Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Complete Writings of St. Francis of Assisi presents all of the letters, the two rules, the poems and prayers as well as the Psalter he set out for his 'little brothers.' The book gives an academic account of the history of the translations, why some texts were not believed authentic to St. Francis and so were not included as well as biographical outline of his life.

Though there is not much new theological insight in St. Francis' writings and he often repeats the same messages, there is no way but to see the extraordinary man he was- such love of Christ and poverty. He seems to be have loved God who is supremely simple by imitating that simplicity. Francis had one aim and reason for action, radical love of God. He wrote that simplicity into his rule.

The Little Flowers of St. Francis go over the material laid out by his 'little brothers' after the death of Francis. In it is described the lives of other brothers, like brother Juniper who kept stealing from the Church to give to the poor, as well as the amazing life events of Francis like preaching to the birds, or taming of a wolf who had been terrorizing a town. Perhaps most important is the description of his stigmata.

Though many of the events are perhaps hard to accept as fact, though perhaps they were, they undoubtedly show the Franciscan character. They are filled with great spiritual lesions, some humerus anecdotes, and great insight into the life of St. Francis.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly, writing was not this saint's strong suit.

[Jillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

St. Francis is many things. A skilled or prolific writer he is not. That’s all I have to say about the writing of St. Francis because I am so done with this man.