Saint Francis Quotes

“The rich fop Francis of Assisi was bored all his life―until he fell in love with Christ and gave all his stuff away and became the troubadour of Lady Poverty.”
― Peter Kreeft, Jesus-Shock

“Objections to Christianity... are phrased in words, but that does not mean that they are really a matter of language and analysis and argument. Words are tokens of the will. If something stronger than language were available then we would use it. But by the same token, words in defense of Christianity miss the mark as well: they are a translation into the dispassionate language of argument of something that resides far deeper in the caverns of volition, of commitment. Perhaps this is why Saint Francis, so the story goes, instructed his followers to "preach the Gospel always, using words if necessary." It is not simply and straightforwardly wrong to make arguments in the defense of the Christian faith, but it is a relatively superficial activity: it fails to address the core issues.”
― Alan Jacobs, The Narnian: The Life and Imagination of C.S. Lewis

“well-meaning Christians almost killed the faith eight hundred years ago”
― Jon M. Sweeney, When Saint Francis Saved the Church

“But I do like the church. I like the smell of polished wood and incense. I like the colored window glass and the statue of Saint Francis. Reynaud says Saint Francis is the patron saint of animals, who left his life to live in the woods. I'd like to do that. I'd build myself a house in a tree, and live on nuts and strawberries. Maman and I never go to church. Once, that might have caused trouble. But Reynaud says we don't have to go. Reynaud says God sees us, and cares for us, wherever we are.”
― Joanne Harris, The Strawberry Thief

“[Francis of Assisi was one of the] signal figures who are catalysts for rapid change”
― Jon M. Sweeney, When Saint Francis Saved the Church