Enter Assisi: An Invitation to Franciscan Spirituality

by Murray Bodo

Go on a spiritual pilgrimage to Assisi with Fr. Murray Bodo. Enter Assisi takes you on a journey through the gates of the city, where you will discover in your own life the way to follow Jesus as St. Francis did. The walls of the medieval town surround a place where your imagination can explore spiritual holy ground. Picture the daring midnight journey of St. Clare through the streets to the Moiano gate and down to St. Mary of the Angels, where Francis and his brothers welcomed her into a new way of life. Spend time in the caves of the Carceri, reflecting on the gift of solitude. Meet twentieth-century residents of Assisi who have absorbed the Franciscan spirit and seek to impart it to others. Fr. Murray Bodo draws on over three decades of leading pilgrimages in Assisi to bring the home of St. Francis to life in the words of a poet and spiritual director.

Genres: Christianity, Catholic, Religion

146 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 19, 2015

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

[Lisal Kayati Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lyrical and poetic. Bodo’s musings are full of reverence and love - not just for Jesus Christ and St Francis - but for Assisi. He captures the history and magic of this holy place. His descriptions of the buildings, gates and piazzas were beautifully presented. I was fortunate enough to visit Assisi and came away changed. For me, the air shimmered with God’s love and presence.

[Linda Boyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went on my first Pilgrimage to Assisi this past April and it was suggested that I read this book prior to the trip. I did not read it and, now that I have finished the book, part of me is sorry that I didn't read it ahead of the trip and part of me is glad I didn't!
As I read each short chapter, I was transported back to Assisi, back to the feelings that I experienced in this beautiful spiritual place. I always especially enjoy being able to actually visualize the places where I have been. The Pilgrimage was physically challenging for me because Assisi is all hills and steps and I am in less than perfect physical condition and I was often tired. But it was a spiritually strengthening week. So as I read this book I was back in Assisi, a bit teary, and acknowledged to myself that I need to go back.

[Celia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful, lyrical homage to St Francis and St. Clare, but more, a love poem to Assisi. Sometimes, Bodo can be over the top with syrupy prose about St. Francis. This book brings not just Francis, but the places where he lived and breathed, and found his deep devotion to God, to life. I was in Assisi on pilgrimage with my husband in October of 2017. The place left a deep impression on my husband, and he's not even a Franciscan.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enter Assisi is a nicely written account of how Franciscan Spirituality overlays the town of Assisi in Perugia. Aspects of the Franciscan way are linked to times, places and events in and around Assisi, where St. Francis was born and died, and based his ministry from. I especially enjoyed the latter part of the book as it described events in places we visited this past summer when in Assisi. I look forward to a more extended stay there.

[MICHAEL A. SMITH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Assisi

Enter Assisi, as have all of Murray Bodo's works , brought me to a deeper understanding of the mystery of Assisi and a greater understanding of both Francis and the Franciscan spirituality he has given us.

[Sr. M. Lenore Highland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

I have always enjoyed Fr. Bodo's books. He has a way of explaining St. Francis that is most enjoyable. Thanks

[Toni33et · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting. The descriptions of the town were lovely but that was pretty much all there was.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful reflection on Assisi, bringing to the fore the spirituality of kenosis of Francis and Clare, seen through the eyes and heart of a Franciscan who has written much on Francis and Franciscan spirituality.

I read the book in a few hours, finding it hard to put it down. This was probably in part due to the fact that I had stayed for several days in Assisi in 2013 and had first visited in 1973. This I recalled the places Fr. Bodo recalled.

I only wish there had been photos (in the Kindle edition which I read.)

[Bencap · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really an excellent book!
It is a spiritual Journey through the cobblestones of Assisi.

The story of Francis and Clare is in every stone, every shop window. What you bring of your own story continues the tale! (from introduction p.xvi)