The Little Flowers of Saint Francis

by Jon M. Sweeney

These stories of St. Francis and his first followers have inspired millions of people over the centuries. Since they were first committed to paper, they were told to inspire people to become better followers of Jesus (not St. Francis). For that reason, they have endured unlike any other early Franciscan literature. 

This new paperback edition edition of The Little Flowers is unique in its physical beauty as well as its editorial arrangement. For the first time, the stories have been arranged in the most likely chronological ordering of when they happened—rather than following the traditional ordering of them handed down for centuries. As a result, today’s reader is now able to read The Little Flowers as a biographical narrative of the life of St. Francis and the world-transforming movement that he founded.

Genres: Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2016

About the author

Jon M. Sweeney is an independent scholar and writer of popular history. He is married, the father of three, and lives in Montpelier, Vermont. He has worked in book publishing for 25 years: after co-founding SkyLight Paths Publishing, he was the editor in chief and publisher at Paraclete Press, and in August 2015 became editorial director at Franciscan Media Books.

He has written more than 20 books, seven about Francis of Assisi, including "When Saint Francis Saved the Church" and "The Complete Francis of Assisi." HBO has optioned the film rights to "The Pope Who Quit."

Jon's first 20 years were spent as an involved evangelical (a story told in the memoir "Born Again and Again"); he then spent 22 years as an active Episcopalian (see "Almost Catholic," among others); and on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi in 2009 he was received into the Catholic Church. Today, Jon is a practicing Catholic who also prays regularly with his wife, a rabbi. He loves the church, the synagogue, and other aspects of organized religion. He would never say that he's "spiritual but not religious."

In all of his writing, Jon is drawn to the ancient and medieval (see "The Road to Assisi," and "Inventing Hell"). Many of his books have been selections of the History Book Club, Book-of-the-Month Club, and Quality Paperback Book Club.

Reviews

[Lauren Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never known very much about Saint Francis, so I really enjoyed learning about him! A simple book but very moving and interesting

[Matthew Clark · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can’t understand the fascination with this book. It reads as legend and so many times Francis could have served as a witness for Christ through proclamation of truth but chose instead to make strange choices like leaving the Sultan who WANTED to follow Christ without an opportunity to do that in the present, promising instead that he would see to it personally after his death. Why? Why not engage the man with the gospel now and advise him to face persecution with boldness embracing the path of the cross? I cannot imagine Jesus telling the man I’ll get back to you. I don’t get why this book is viewed so fondly.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uplifting.