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The Life and Prayers of Saint Francis of Assisi
One part biography, one part prayer book, The Life and Prayers of Saint Francis of Assisi is an essential book for any Christian.
Saint Francis of Assisi is quite possibly the most popular of all Christian saints. Perhaps it is his adoration for all living things or his unrelenting generosity that has made so many people open their hearts to him. Perhaps it is the deep conviction and piety expressed not only by the saint himself, but in his name, in the Franciscan orders throughout the centuries.
Whatever the reason, in a world that is quickly developing in a direction diametrically opposite to the saint's own simple asceticism, Saint Francis of Assisi still stirs strong emotions and compassion. How close he found God, in the very nature around him, is inspiring.
All books in The Life and Prayers series come complete with a Touch-or-Click Table of Contents, divided by each section.
Enjoy.
Saint Francis of Assisi is quite possibly the most popular of all Christian saints. Perhaps it is his adoration for all living things or his unrelenting generosity that has made so many people open their hearts to him. Perhaps it is the deep conviction and piety expressed not only by the saint himself, but in his name, in the Franciscan orders throughout the centuries.
Whatever the reason, in a world that is quickly developing in a direction diametrically opposite to the saint's own simple asceticism, Saint Francis of Assisi still stirs strong emotions and compassion. How close he found God, in the very nature around him, is inspiring.
All books in The Life and Prayers series come complete with a Touch-or-Click Table of Contents, divided by each section.
Enjoy.
85 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 4, 2012
162 people are currently reading
482 people want to read
About the author
Francis of Assisi
222 books302 followersSaint 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 23, 2024
2 orange stars.
This is very short, and gives an idea of the outlines of his life. The Kindle edition was marred by quite a few typos. I must have read something about Saint Francis before, as there were things that were familiar to me. There were not a lot of Saint Francis' own prayers. When did he write them? Who translated them? The prayers to and about Saint Francis - who wrote them? What is the source for these? There is no context. A nice little summary with a few prayers and nothing more. I can't really recommend this.
Description: One part biography, one part prayer book, The Life and Prayers of Saint Francis of Assisi is an essential book for any Christian. Saint Francis of Assisi is quite possibly the most popular of all Christian saints. Perhaps it is his adoration for all living things or his unrelenting generosity that has made so many people open their hearts to him. Perhaps it is the deep conviction and piety expressed not only by the saint himself, but in his name, in the Franciscan orders throughout the centuries. Whatever the reason, in a world that is quickly developing in a direction diametrically opposite to the saint's own simple asceticism, Saint Francis of Assisi still stirs strong emotions and compassion. How close he found God, in the very nature around him, is inspiring.
This is very short, and gives an idea of the outlines of his life. The Kindle edition was marred by quite a few typos. I must have read something about Saint Francis before, as there were things that were familiar to me. There were not a lot of Saint Francis' own prayers. When did he write them? Who translated them? The prayers to and about Saint Francis - who wrote them? What is the source for these? There is no context. A nice little summary with a few prayers and nothing more. I can't really recommend this.
Description: One part biography, one part prayer book, The Life and Prayers of Saint Francis of Assisi is an essential book for any Christian. Saint Francis of Assisi is quite possibly the most popular of all Christian saints. Perhaps it is his adoration for all living things or his unrelenting generosity that has made so many people open their hearts to him. Perhaps it is the deep conviction and piety expressed not only by the saint himself, but in his name, in the Franciscan orders throughout the centuries. Whatever the reason, in a world that is quickly developing in a direction diametrically opposite to the saint's own simple asceticism, Saint Francis of Assisi still stirs strong emotions and compassion. How close he found God, in the very nature around him, is inspiring.
January 12, 2018
Inspiring
A simple history of Francis and his brotherhood accompanied by prayers both of Francis and in his spirit. Included are a few of the stories that accompany many of the biographies of Francis but the history lacks the evangelical spirit which inspired ( and still does today) so many to follow him. Still it is a good read and can easily be read in an afternoon.
A simple history of Francis and his brotherhood accompanied by prayers both of Francis and in his spirit. Included are a few of the stories that accompany many of the biographies of Francis but the history lacks the evangelical spirit which inspired ( and still does today) so many to follow him. Still it is a good read and can easily be read in an afternoon.
October 4, 2021
delightful
I read this for his feast day and it took me about two days… i really enjoyed all of it and have read it twice even but yeah very good story, glad for it very thankful and enjoyed the prayers
I read this for his feast day and it took me about two days… i really enjoyed all of it and have read it twice even but yeah very good story, glad for it very thankful and enjoyed the prayers
January 9, 2023
Quick introduction
October 1, 2015
Worth it
This short biography of St. Francis is worth it just for the prayers that are included at the end of the book. I'm giving it five stars because of these prayers. This prayerbook is a wonderful resource on how to pray in the tradition of St. Francis. That being said, it is plainly A book teaching Christian prayer.
This short biography of St. Francis is worth it just for the prayers that are included at the end of the book. I'm giving it five stars because of these prayers. This prayerbook is a wonderful resource on how to pray in the tradition of St. Francis. That being said, it is plainly A book teaching Christian prayer.
February 16, 2017
Great little bio of one of the greats of church history. Good for anyone who wants to learn about Francis. After the bio there is a series of prayers which are kind of cool too as they shed a little light on Francis' spirituality.
July 2, 2014
So many interesting facts
I was aware of his love for animals and the fact that he was the first to experience the stigmata but I was not aware that he was among the first to create nativity scenes. Informative book.
I was aware of his love for animals and the fact that he was the first to experience the stigmata but I was not aware that he was among the first to create nativity scenes. Informative book.
December 22, 2015
Good synopsis
Enjoyed this book. Though research will tell you that the Peace Prayer cannot be traced back farther than 1912, we all accept Francis' life embodies its meaning and so we will continue to call it the "Prayer of St. Francis" even though he probably didn't write it.
Enjoyed this book. Though research will tell you that the Peace Prayer cannot be traced back farther than 1912, we all accept Francis' life embodies its meaning and so we will continue to call it the "Prayer of St. Francis" even though he probably didn't write it.
February 17, 2016
Prayerful, soulful, moving
Fair condensed overview of life of St. Francis. Appreciated the prayers & Stations of the Cross. Recommended to any one wanting to move closer to Christ.
Fair condensed overview of life of St. Francis. Appreciated the prayers & Stations of the Cross. Recommended to any one wanting to move closer to Christ.
August 3, 2012
A quick read. Broken down into three parts.
I suggest reading the second part first.
Then the first part. Then the third and last part.
It makes more sense in that order.
I suggest reading the second part first.
Then the first part. Then the third and last part.
It makes more sense in that order.
July 28, 2012
A short and interesting look at the life of St. Francis of Assisi. Not highly critical, but certainly enough to get one interested in St. Francis.
October 4, 2012
Nice short bio.
March 16, 2013
Concise biography of St Francis of Assisi. Very inspiring.
April 22, 2013
I enjoyed learning about his life but I did not agree with a lot of his prayers because I am not Catholic and have different doctrinal beliefs when it comes to Mary.
August 6, 2014
The biographical information was good, if poorly written, and served as a brief overview of Francis' life and ministry.
October 16, 2015
Beautiful
This was a beautiful biography of Saint Francis. I enjoyed it immensely. I just wish there was bore biography and less prayers.
This was a beautiful biography of Saint Francis. I enjoyed it immensely. I just wish there was bore biography and less prayers.
December 10, 2015
Quick intro into the life of Saint Francis of Assisi. A considerable portion of the book consists of many of his prayers. Good for someone like me who knew very little about him.
April 29, 2017
Informative and Uplifting
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, learning a great deal about this humble and devout Saint. Particularly enjoyed reading the stations of the cross.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, learning a great deal about this humble and devout Saint. Particularly enjoyed reading the stations of the cross.
April 15, 2013
Well written and easy read of the life of St. Francis.
Read
October 25, 2018great
Read
February 25, 2019Always been a Franciscan follower and have had great and holy experiences working with this particularly friend and now that he is in heaven I keep this quote of his handy.
"In a true sense, joy is the keynote of the Christian message . . . We do not pretend that life is all beauty. We are aware of darkness and sin, of poverty and pain. But we know Jesus has conquered sin and passed through his own pain to the glory of the Resurrection. And we live in the light of his Paschal Mystery - the mystery of his Death and Resurrection. We are an Easter People and Alleluia is our song!" (John Paul II, Angelus in Adelaide, Australia, 11/30/1986).
Alleluia Fr. DeSales Young, OFM 1920-2017
"In a true sense, joy is the keynote of the Christian message . . . We do not pretend that life is all beauty. We are aware of darkness and sin, of poverty and pain. But we know Jesus has conquered sin and passed through his own pain to the glory of the Resurrection. And we live in the light of his Paschal Mystery - the mystery of his Death and Resurrection. We are an Easter People and Alleluia is our song!" (John Paul II, Angelus in Adelaide, Australia, 11/30/1986).
Alleluia Fr. DeSales Young, OFM 1920-2017
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews