Francis: The Journey and the Dream

by Murray Bodo

40th Anniversary Edition. Foreword by John Michael Talbot.

One of the most influential saints books, with over 200,000 copies sold, Francis: The Journey and the Dream continues to inspire people of all ages with its lyrical prose and depth of love for the Poor Man of Assisi. This beautiful anniversary edition includes Fr. Bodo s story of writing the book and its worldwide influence, a reader s guide for book clubs and discussion groups, and a list of Fr. Bodo's favorite Franciscan resources, culled over three decades of research on Francis and his followers

Genres: Biography, Spirituality, Religion, Nonfiction, Christian, Catholic, Christianity

293 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

"Those are the two magnetic poles of my life: books and the Franciscan Priesthood. The glue that holds them together is Saint Francis of Assisi himself. From the time I was thirteen years old and read Sophie Jewett's God's Troubadour, The Story of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Francis has been a major inspiration of my life. I became a Franciscan in 1955; I've written about him, prayed for his intercession, studied him, taught his life and spirituality and for the last 34 years led pilgrimages to Assisi " - Murray Bodo

Reviews

[Celia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was my "official" introduction to St. Francis. Of course, I knew of the saint, and his peaceful ways, and love of nature. This book, with it's very short chapters and poetic style, is almost like reading free verse. There are beautiful passages written with imagery and feeling, but I found myself wanting more information. As I visited Assisi, and Padua and San Giovanni Rotondo this past October, Francis' influence was around every corner. He was a truly remarkable man of God. This book has opened up a new Franciscan way of life, and I am already reading another book about Franciscan spirituality.

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book-a prose poem. Father Bodo was a good friend of my family, and I first read this more than forty years ago and have read it many times since. It's not really a biography, but anyone who wants to understand the magnetism of Francis, Christian or not, will love this little book. Cincinnati, Ohio is steeped in Franciscan tradition, and I'm grateful for having had many Franciscan friends and mentors during my childhood and adolescence. Thank you, Father Bodo.

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

FANTASTIC! This book is an easy read that provides little snippets of Saint Francis' humble views of service and faith. Truly inspired fiction! (And, thanks to my brother in-law for such a good Christmas present.)

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful! Poetic, easy and enjoyable to read. I've read a few books on St. Francis before and this gives a more spiritual aspect rather than historical. A must for anyone who likes monastic and especially Franciscan spirituality.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this on Audible and decided to give it a listen. I have read many biographies about St Francis and this one is my favorite. After completing listening to the book read by the author himself, I gained a new understanding of why he chose the life he did to follow Lady Poverty. The love Murary has for St Francis really comes through in the way he affectionately reads of the man that brought him closer to Jesus.

[Nathaniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

i liked it but i think its value depends on your background

if you already know the life of St. Francis its an engaging read that offers a lot of food for thought and prayer

if youre unfamiliar with his story id recommend learning that first because some scenes are the authors imaginative expansions meant to flesh out his personal relationship with St. Francis

spirituality-wise it feels like a literary counterpart to Thomas Merton’s New Seeds of Contemplation

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friar Murray Bodo delivers short but insightful introductions to Saint Francis of Assisi. He brings uncommon insight into the heart of Franciscan spirituality in this wonderful volume. For those seeking to meet Francis, I cannot recommend any better host than Bodo. You will love this short but sweet work.

[David Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing and, for some readers, will be life-changing. Murray Bodo has produced a book that is poetic, imaginative, and highly readable about St Francis of Assisi. Short chapters could be read daily and used as a basis for meditation.
I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to deepen their Christian faith.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the writing style and the content. Each chapter is based on the faith and actions based on that faith of St Francis. The writing style adds to the facts of the story. I read some chapters more then once because they spoke directly to me. Truly an enjoyable read!

[Lisal Kayati Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunningly beautiful account of St Francis’ life. Written with adoration and service - it evokes every dream of the “the little Frenchman.” The writing style is dreamy and romantic - prose poetry, for sure. For Francis followers - this is a must read/own!

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drop what you are doing and read this!! While not a biography by any means, the short chapters make for good meditations on different aspects of the life of Francis (and Christ). I loved the prose. Mouah

[Virginia Aguirre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a thoughtful insight on a beloved saint. It helps the reader to know the dreams, fears, sorrows, and loves of St. Francis and chronicles his metamorphosis from a wild young man to a saint.

[Christina DiSalvo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I dog-eared several chapters and will leave this on my nightstand to go back to with different prayers. Thank you Fr. Bodo—St. Francis pray for us!

[Mack Blankenship · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy reading powerful story. Just what I needed.

[Steve Lee Sr · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful introduction to the life and teachings of St. Francis. The audio version is read by the author with excellent results.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A literary biography

Not what I would think of as a standard biography, rather a creative one. It delves into the mind and spirit of the saint.

[Linda]

a book about Francis that i found inspiring to read ---
recommend highly

[Lbball27 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely soul enriching life of St Francis.

[Ryan Storch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the book that led to my reversion. The beginning.

[Barbara Drejza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Francis, our little brother of faith and lover of creation. It was simply lovely to get to know him better.

[Francesca Margati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buku ini sungguh hidup, mimpi dan perjalanan Fransiskus begitu nyata dikisahkan dari bab ke bab, ayat permenungan dan alur ceritanya menenggelamkan kita dalam refleksi bathin dan pertobatan...membawa kita masuk dalam perjalanan bathin dan meneguhkan iman. Kisah Fransiskus memberi makna tentang mimpi dan perjalanan manusia di dunia, tentang cinta kasih, kesederhanaan, keindahan alam dan mahluk di dalamnya, persaudaraan, kekecewaan, kegagalan, kesombongan, keegoisan, cinta diri, ketakutan, semua diceritakan dalam bahasa sastra ringan yang menyentuh jiwa.

Kedua-duanya penting
Baik perjalanan maupun Impian,
Baik menuju keluar maupun ke dalam.
tanpa perjalanan,
Impian itu cuma sekadar permenungan diri
Dengan memutarkan roda refleksi mengenai itu- itu saja
Dan putarannya berporoskan dirimu saja!
Bersama dengan perjalanan,
Penemuan dirimu akan menjadi suatu perjalanan
Yang tidak berakhir di dalam dirimu
Tetapi melampaui dirimu
Dan memunculkan sisi lain
Dari roda refleksi
Yang digerakkan dalam dirimu
Kalau tinggal lama di dalam
Perjalanan menjadi sekadar dongeng
Dan mimpi menjadi ilusi
Roda harus berputar di atas jalan yang nyata
Menuju arahan impianmu.
Kalau tinggal lama di jalan
Mimpi akan padam sampai tidak kelihatan lagi
Dan jalan akan menggantikan impian.
Perjalanan dan Impian bersama
Menjadi satu ungkapan kasih yang seimbang
Dan kedua duanya akan terwujud.
Di luar batas-batas pikiranmu.

Kisah Santo Fransiskus sumber inspirasi bagiku. Terimakasih suster Gaby yang telah memberikan buku ini kepadaku th.2005, dan tahun ini kedua kalinya aku membaca kembali buku ini.

[Julie Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

In lovely allegory poetically composed by Rev. Murray Bodo, OFM, tells the story of St. Francis of Assisi. Francis was born into a wealthy family whose father expected him to take an active leadership role in his prosperous silk business. Instead, Francis acted upon intuition and instinct; he transformed prayer and consciousness into loving service to others. The founder of the Order of St. Francis encouraged others to turn inside where the Voice of our own dreams speak and to respond with trust and faith to follow where Spirit leads you. The story closes with a poem by Bodo called "The Journey and The Dream." In its last line, Bodo writes:
The Journey and The Dream
Are one balanced act of love
And both are realized
Outside the mind.
This book not only tells the story of Francis, but it invites readers to listen to the call within our own hearts to something deeper. Bodo's work continues to inspire me - three decades after I read it. It's time to reread it again.

[Mark Luongo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my Easter/Lent book this year. I'm going to admit it was slow-going and a bit "deep" here and there. But I enjoyed the collection of stories that are in this volume. They are a series of recollections of Francis' life as told as Francis experiences the final few hours of his life in the chapel of Our Lady of the Angels below the town of Assisi. I particularly enjoyed "Of Larks & Sparrows", "The Wolf of Gubbio", "The Rains of Mount Subasio" and "A Prayer for Every Weather." A truly devote individual and it comes as no surprise that the Pope chose the name of Francis for his inspiration.

[Leroy Seat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful little book written by a Franciscan priest. It is not a biograph of Francis, but 77 vignettes of the life and thought of the 13th saint from Assisi.

If I had it to over again, I would read this book more slowly, only one short chapter a day. This is a book that needs to be savored, not devoured. But, maybe I will read this book again at some point, slowly as I suggested would be best.

[March 17, 2011] Finished reading for the second time, more slowly, and I enjoyed it probably more than the first time.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The reading was simple and accessible to anyone. I imagine since the author was profoundly impacted as a very young man by a biography of Francis of Assisi he wrote very much in a style that would appeal from 13 years old and up. I think this book would be an important started for anyone wanting to delve deeper into this Saint's life. Some of the ideas presented here moved me deeply and certainly influenced my spiritually. The way the book is organized would also make it a good daily devotional.

[Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am currently studying and had to investigate the spirituality of St. Francis .This book was meditative accessible and above all meaningful and relevant for today . St. francis wanted to "Live the Gospel" and his example has echoes for us today in a different culture and time. It was the first book about a Saint that I read and could understand how he expressed his faith as a servant of God .

A great thought provoking book for this Advent 2012

[Donald Jodon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent book on some of the key moments in the live of Saint Francis. It highlights several incidents in this venerated Saints lives, but doesn't give you the overlal picture of the saint. Ultimately, this book is stuck between a 3 and a 4. What's there is very inspired and worth reading, but what isn't there shouts at you after you've finished.

[Bobby Johansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book on Francis, although good, was quite predictable. His life was presented in very flowery language that is typical of books written about him. I would consider it a great introduction to the Saint, but for anyone searching to learn something new about Francis, you might want to search elsewhere.

[Don Becher · Rating 1 out of 5]

While I am a great fan of St. Francis, I am not a big fan of this book. The sugar coated, here's what the great saint was thinking, non-credible in some respects, version of his life. No indication of the basis for much of what the author asserts. If you want to judge the worth of Francis (one of my favorite saints), I would take a pass on this one.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fr. Bodo beautifully crafts St. Francis' life in a series of vignettes with each piece having narrative flow of poetry and prayer. This is the best way to learn of Francis' vision of the Journey and the Dream, as it leads us into to reflection of our own path.