São Francisco de Assis

Encounter the Saints #4

by Mary Emmanuel Alves

Este livro faz parte da coleção "Maravilhas de Deus", que traz biografias de grandes santos e santas, cujo diferencial é a qualidade literária: os textos são especialmente dirigidos para o público jovem e colocam em evidência as aventuras e os desafios vivenciados por aqueles que, apesar de terem sido pessoas comuns, foram reconhecidos pela Igreja Católica por suas virtudes ou atos heróicos e, acima de tudo, por seu profundo amor a Deus e ao próximo. São narrativas fascinantes que, certamente, irão inspirar os jovens leitores. O volume conta a história de Francisco de Assis - filho de um rico comerciante na Itália do século XII. Alegre e despreocupado, Francisco era amante da música e das festas e, com muito dinheiro para gastar, tornou-se rapidamente um ídolo e líder entre seus companheiros. Como todo jovem ambicioso de sua época, desejava conquistar também fama e nobreza e, para isso, decide lutar nas batalhas contra os senhores feudais. Acaba sendo preso e, ao voltar para casa, profundamente doente, passa longa temporada acamado. Quando finalmente se recupera, já é outra pessoa. Percebe a futilidade da vida que levava até então e, pouco a pouco, descobre sua verdadeira vocação: servir ao Senhor - que via em todas as criaturas - e reconstruir a sua Igreja! Uma história envolvente, cheia de reviravoltas, que demonstra o quanto os ideais e a convicção de uma pessoa em conquistar aquilo que deseja de todo o coração fortalecem seu espírito e trazem a alegria que a sustenta em todas as adversidades.

Genres: Catholic, Biography

81 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 1999

Reviews

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the last year I have read the majority of the books in the Encounter the Saints Series by Pauline Books and Media, I discovered them by accident. I was looking for another book to read on Saint Damien of Molokai to read and picked up the one in this series. Since then I have tracked down all 38 books in the series including The Saints Pray For Us and we have read 26 and have been working on reviewing them all. And I am now reading these books with or to my children ages 11, 10 and 7. All three children love the books, and the oldest two can read them with ease. Thought this series is written for youth, children and young adults they are so well written that anyone can enjoy them and be challenged by them.

When reading these books, there are some saints I am familiar with, some like Damien I have a deeper knowledge of and a few I have not encountered before or was only aware of their name in passing. Francis is one of those saints I am more familiar with, and yet even with that there were some surprises in this volume on his life and the founding of the Franciscans. My son was home sick when we began reading this book, when his younger sister got home from school she wanted to join so I got her caught up and we finished the book together. Both of my children were enthralled by the book. We even went back to reread some of the chapters once they realized what happened they wanted to read it again.

Saint Francis is one of those figures from Catholic Church History that crosses many boundaries. Irish author Alice Curtayne in her own slim booklet on Francis states:

"The literature on Saint Francis has by now assumed the proportions of a new Tower of Babel, erected by writers of all creeds and tongues. There is no devotee of Franciscanism who cannot find within that edifice the writing of his choice."

This book does add to that extensive volume of work. But it does so in a justified manner. As part of this series to not have a book on Saint Francis would be a great omission. It is a volume written true to the historical records without exaggeration, or misrepresentation. It is a book that is engaging, entertaining and yet will stir the readers to prayer. It is excellent written and also well illustrated. Patrick Kelley illustrated this volume in a pen and ink style. He also illustrated the volume on Saint Ignatius of Layola. My children loved the illustrations and we have copied one so my son could put it up in his prayer corner in his room. My children found most memorable the story of his shipwreck, the near wreck on the return voyage, his preaching to the birds and the story about the wolf terrorizing the town.

This book is one of the kids favorites from the whole series. This volume is an excellent book in the Encounter the Saints Series; from Pauline Books and Media. This book and the entire series are excellent resources for Catholics of all ages! And we hop the series will continue to grow.

Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Pauline Books and Media, especially the Encounter the Saints Series.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2018 Catholic Reading Plan!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Things would be so different if we really lived what we believe. If I really lived what I believe.."

I collected many titles in the Encounter the Saints series when I thought I was going to homeschool my children 15 years ago. I've read several books about Saint Francis and this one has just been on my shelf as part of the collection. I was inspired to pick it up today thought it was great. 4.5 stars rounded up.

[Clara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE Saint Francis!