Reluctant Saint: The Life of Francis of Assisi (Compass)

Reluctant saint : the life of Francis of Assisi

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Also like Jesus, Spoto maintains, though he fasted and largely avoided even reasonable comfort, Francis revered the material world, including the human body, as being intrinsically good because God created it. Because flesh as well as soul is good, Francis served the sick, not stinting at becoming sick himself, one might say, as a result of committed compassion.

As he relates the dramatic events of Francis' life, Spoto shows that the blessing of the Incarnation was what most animated the saint's fabled gentleness, courtesy, and faith. It does not seem possible that the world needs another biography of St. Francis of Assisi, but Spoto The Hidden Jesus makes a credible case for adding to the glut of books and articles about the medieval saint. Spoto cites one count taken nearly 40 years ago that puts the number at 1, He argues that new discoveries in several fields and the latest Franciscan scholarship justify this new biography.

Although the findings of his research required Spoto to strip away some of the romance surrounding Francis's familiar story, he manages to report them without detracting from the integrity of the saint.

He raises, for example, questions about whether Francis actually bore the stigmata, or wounds of the crucified Christ, pointing out that sources interviewed for Francis's canonization denied that he had the marks. Spoto suggests that Francis may actually have suffered from leprosy and that his companions interpreted those wounds as a sharing in Christ's suffering. Spoto's chronological recounting of Francis's life is sufficiently engaging to retain the interest even of those familiar with the basic facts of the saint's story.

Reluctant Saint: The Life of Francis of Assisi

Occasionally however, he lapses into seemingly misplaced preaching pedagogy, such as when he holds forth on the subject of conversion in a section about Francis's spiritual transformation- but given the saint's diverse appeal, this book should interest a wide audience. In this life of Francis of Assisi, Spoto's elegant wordsmithing creates a "reality TV" sense of Francis's life-the elaborate details are based on an actual time and place, but the overall effect feels staged. This is nevertheless a very readable portrait of a hope-filled eccentric whose lifelong process of conversion brought him to a never unconfused but always faithful way of life under God's ordinance.

There are some things Spoto doesn't get right: Benedict a quote traditionally attributed to St. Augustine, and he fails to appreciate the literary genre of the medieval exemplary story, among other things. But he is a fine writer who provides insight into the saint as well as into the secular and ecclesiastical cultures of the 12th century.

One of the best of the modern books to reflect upon Francis, and even to get inside his head and measure his spirit, is G.

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Spoto's book is suitable for libraries with a circulation of nonacademic religious books. Elizabeth, Morristown, NJ c Copyright Spoto an independent scholar aims to clear away the legends and to portray realistically Francis's pilgrimage from playboy to reluctant saint. To reconstruct Francis's thoughts and feelings, Spoto lays out in rich detail the cultural influences that were part of his consciousness. A picture emerges of a very human Francis, convinced that he was in the hands of a loving God, that conversion was not a thing of the moment but the process of a lifetime, and that his mission was to social outcasts, lepers, the poor, and the destitute.

However, House describes what Francis said and did, whereas Spoto focuses on the saint's inner life.

Reluctant saint : the life of Francis of Assisi (Book, ) [donnsboatshop.com]

Although neither biography is a hagiography, Spoto is more skeptical than House, questioning, for example, the stigmata. General readers; students and scholars at all levels. Thank you for using the catalog. But for the liberal host and author of the book, who obviously had an agenda, to try to debunk a long held and cherished memory of St. Francis receiving the marks of Christ was insulting.

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One person found this helpful. An extraordinary exploration of Saint Francis' life that is historically reliable and insightful. It is truly inspiring! One person found this helpful 2 people found this helpful.

Reluctant Saint

It is probably more interesting to a biblical student. This is not a movie. It is commentary with some acted scenes.

Commentary is by well known experts on Franciscanism and could be of interest to those who know little about St. I had always heard stories about St. Francis of Assisi, but seeing this documentary really showed this man of faith struggle with himself, his faith, his religion, and the higher powers within the Catholic Church. He just wanted to share his faith simply with others but his popularity brought problems of its own.

It is a movie that every person of faith should see no matter what religious tradition they come from.

I found this video very informative and accurate and would recommend it to anyone who would like a factual account of St. See all 18 reviews.

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