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The Way of Saint Francis: Teachings and Practices for Daily Life
Who was medieval Italy's Francis of Assisi? Millions know him as the saint who first received the stigmata of Christ, as a champion of the poor, and as a mystic who possessed a divine rapport with the natural world. But few know that Saint Francis also created an extraordinary system of spiritual practices to radiate joy inward to the soul and outward to the world. On The Way of Saint Francis, Father Murray Bodo reveals the life of this celebrated saint and shares specific meditations, prayers, and teachings to cultivate the five great keys of Franciscan spirituality. Through them you will learn to open the door to the cell within--a sacred inner space available to us at any time and in any situation.
Audio CD
First published February 1, 1984
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About the author
Murray Bodo
73 books23 followers"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
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 13, 2012
I have always admired the members of the Franciscan religious order that I have met. I have for years seen the garden statues of St. Francis communing with birds and other animals, and was familiar to some extent with at least a portion of his work involving brother sun and sister moon. I therefore had developed the impression that he was somehow a middle ages back to nature semi-pantheist. I figured his “way” might be a pretty easy approach to help incorporate my environmentalism with my faith. While Francis did see God manifest in nature – and indeed the cosmos as a whole – he was no flower child of the 13th century; rather he was a man who strove mightily to live the teachings of Jesus, embracing an extremely impoverished lifestyle in order to benefit the lowly and commune with the most outcast of his society.
Author Murray Bodo, a Franciscan monk living in Cincinnati, breaks down Francis’s way into small components and offers not only direction from Francis, but sets forth his (Bodo’s) own life as an example of how difficult it is to live the example set by Francis. While one could despair that there is no way that someone with a relatively comfortable middle class life-style, such as myself, could ever hope to follow Francis’ example, Bodo seems to indicate that there is still great value in using Francis’ example as a guiding light.
This book makes a good just-before-you-go-to sleep read in pieces book as it involves short chapters on each theme set forth, each of which takes a bit of slow digesting.
Author Murray Bodo, a Franciscan monk living in Cincinnati, breaks down Francis’s way into small components and offers not only direction from Francis, but sets forth his (Bodo’s) own life as an example of how difficult it is to live the example set by Francis. While one could despair that there is no way that someone with a relatively comfortable middle class life-style, such as myself, could ever hope to follow Francis’ example, Bodo seems to indicate that there is still great value in using Francis’ example as a guiding light.
This book makes a good just-before-you-go-to sleep read in pieces book as it involves short chapters on each theme set forth, each of which takes a bit of slow digesting.
March 3, 2011
Excellent book on the philosophy of St. Francis by a Franciscan scholar. Bodo's work is easy to read, but full of excellent insight. It's not hard to see how Francis has been misused and misunderstood for centuries, and how far the Catholic church (and all Christian churches, really) have moved from what St. Francis lived and taught, which is sad, seeing as he is universally acknowledged as the man who lived his life the most in tune with that of Jesus Christ. As Bodo says in his introduction, Jesus is down there somewhere in the alley, drunk, needing help. But nobody's going to help him these days.
September 7, 2010
In thirty-five short chapters, an Afterword, and the closing powerful letter to an alcoholic bum, the author, a Franciscan priest, presents not just a spiritual biography of Francis but also his own insightful comments about living the Christian life today.
Here are some of the significant statements in the book:
Early in the book, Fr. Bodo writes, “The radicalness of Saint Francis is not in his poverty but in his response to the gospel of Jesus. He lives it” (p. 8).
“I have learned from Saint Francis that where this is no involvement with human suffering, there is no following of God’s will” (p. 66).
“It is easier to rationalize and dismiss Jesus than Francis, because Jesus, after all, is divine and so far above us. But Francis is only human like us. What he is, we can become. It is the challenge of his life that seduces. We sense that somehow this man found the way, and we are going in the opposite direction" (p. 89).
“Francis never says we are to imitate Christ, but that we are to follow in the footsteps of Christ thus insuring the uniqueness of our own following” (p. 118).
“The life of Francis is the story of how one man found God, . . . And the surprise is that when God is everything, then everything else becomes more important and more holy” (p. 125).
Here are some of the significant statements in the book:
Early in the book, Fr. Bodo writes, “The radicalness of Saint Francis is not in his poverty but in his response to the gospel of Jesus. He lives it” (p. 8).
“I have learned from Saint Francis that where this is no involvement with human suffering, there is no following of God’s will” (p. 66).
“It is easier to rationalize and dismiss Jesus than Francis, because Jesus, after all, is divine and so far above us. But Francis is only human like us. What he is, we can become. It is the challenge of his life that seduces. We sense that somehow this man found the way, and we are going in the opposite direction" (p. 89).
“Francis never says we are to imitate Christ, but that we are to follow in the footsteps of Christ thus insuring the uniqueness of our own following” (p. 118).
“The life of Francis is the story of how one man found God, . . . And the surprise is that when God is everything, then everything else becomes more important and more holy” (p. 125).
October 7, 2020
This is a modern view of the Way of St. Francis. Bodo's story is very much told from the modern era (it was written in 1995) and from an American viewpoint. At one point, Bodo discusses the nationality of the Pope and its influence on the Catholic church. I would argue that the nationality of this Franciscan priest-author impacts his view of Francis and how the modern citizen can continue to pursue the gospel way of life as St. Francis had.
As consideration for a pilgrimage along the way of St Francis, I read this book to learn more about the journeys he took around Assisi, Rome, and La Verna. As a pilgrimage companion, the Way of St. Francis delivers. I got views of Francis as the teacher, the road-warrior, the prayerful, the poet, and the Father to an Order of brothers and sisters that he started. However, all of this is viewed through the prism of the modern American life, which is perhaps what makes it so easy with which to identify.
"And it is this communion of people together on the road which prevents conversion from being a self-centered affair of the heart, a closed-circuit dialogue between me and the voice I hear inside. Conversion is something that happens in me but also in communion with others."
Whether the journey/road you are on is a literal road, a spiritual road, or an internal path of intellectual discovery, may your trail cross those of other people that bring you joy, knowledge, or peace.
As consideration for a pilgrimage along the way of St Francis, I read this book to learn more about the journeys he took around Assisi, Rome, and La Verna. As a pilgrimage companion, the Way of St. Francis delivers. I got views of Francis as the teacher, the road-warrior, the prayerful, the poet, and the Father to an Order of brothers and sisters that he started. However, all of this is viewed through the prism of the modern American life, which is perhaps what makes it so easy with which to identify.
"And it is this communion of people together on the road which prevents conversion from being a self-centered affair of the heart, a closed-circuit dialogue between me and the voice I hear inside. Conversion is something that happens in me but also in communion with others."
Whether the journey/road you are on is a literal road, a spiritual road, or an internal path of intellectual discovery, may your trail cross those of other people that bring you joy, knowledge, or peace.
November 4, 2021
Brilliant and accessible.
March 2, 2014
The Publisher's description of the book:
Challenges the reader with a renewed understanding of the saint: a Francis who shows us a way of life both stimulating and troubling, who asks us to look again at the possibilities within us and around us, and to whom we turn repeatedly in interpreting our own human experience of God. The Franciscan way helps, transforms and renews us. The book is composed of chapters on ways of letting go, of achieving poverty, simplicity and nonviolence.
I definitely have to agree with the first word - Challenges. This is not a book for the faint of heart (or faith) reader or one who is looking for a quick over-view of St. Francis and Franciscan spirituality. Very much the opposite - this is a densely packed book of only (Only!) 153 pages. The book does go through the 'Way' but in intensely personal terms. The author (Murray Bodo) performs an extraordinary job of relating Franciscan Spirituality (and knocks St. Francis off his pedestal surrounded by animals) and brings a more real, down to earth quality to him.
If one is looking for a real context for St. Francis, this is excellent reading.
Challenges the reader with a renewed understanding of the saint: a Francis who shows us a way of life both stimulating and troubling, who asks us to look again at the possibilities within us and around us, and to whom we turn repeatedly in interpreting our own human experience of God. The Franciscan way helps, transforms and renews us. The book is composed of chapters on ways of letting go, of achieving poverty, simplicity and nonviolence.
I definitely have to agree with the first word - Challenges. This is not a book for the faint of heart (or faith) reader or one who is looking for a quick over-view of St. Francis and Franciscan spirituality. Very much the opposite - this is a densely packed book of only (Only!) 153 pages. The book does go through the 'Way' but in intensely personal terms. The author (Murray Bodo) performs an extraordinary job of relating Franciscan Spirituality (and knocks St. Francis off his pedestal surrounded by animals) and brings a more real, down to earth quality to him.
If one is looking for a real context for St. Francis, this is excellent reading.
August 28, 2012
Fr. Bodo reflects deeply on the Franciscan way of life in 35 short chapters. The reflections challenge the reader to examine his own humanity, his ideas of a spiritual life, and the journey to God alone and in community. Interesting stories about St. Francis highlight the author's thoughts. Several of the shorter chapters would make excellent meditations for worship, or small group study. I still find myself troubled and seeking, as some concepts made me look at myself and my journey through different eyes. Read this book for contemplation, not necessarily for a quick easy read. In the author's words, "Christian spirituality is simply an attempt to take seriously and live more sincerely the gospel of Jesus Christ, and Franciscan spirituality is no exception. But there is something about Francis himself and the WAY he lives the gospel...."
September 24, 2008
This was a fascinating audio book. It was a very profound and approachable study. I look forward to listening to it again.
March 29, 2010
This is also my idea of spirituality and it gives hope. We are each
individual and beloved and to me - the basis of the Gospel.
individual and beloved and to me - the basis of the Gospel.
July 4, 2014
Fantastic book. Refreshing read. Very slow, but by intent, as the whole concept is about slowing down and seeing through someone else's eyes in order to help others.
March 27, 2016
I used this as a core text when I was being formed in the Third Order
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews