FEATURED BOOK OF THE MONTH:  MAY 2004

St. Francis of Assisi: A Biography. By Omer Engelbert.  One of the best acclaimed biographies of St. Francis of Assisi.

First published in 1965, this book remains one of the best books ever written about St. Francis.  Engelbert makes Francis come alive through a scholarly yet easily understood style that combines text from various legends and biographies of the saint.  The reader retains a sense of both the inner man and the outer actions, both in tune with the workings of God.

Here is a quote from the book:

Francis knew that it was not to build chapels that God was calling him, but to co-operate in the restoration of the Church. So he lost no time in setting joyfully to work to preach penitence.

To everyone he met he now gave the Gospel greeting:  "The Lord give you peace!"  Coming from a man whose voluntary poverty permitted him to enjoy this supreme benefit, these words were not without effect, for many to whom they wee addressed made peace with their enemies and with their own conscience. 

It was at this time that Francis gave his first sermon in the church of San Giorgio, where he had gone to school and to which he would at first be buried.  "He began," continued Thomas of Celano, "by wishing peace to the congregation, speaking without affectation, but with such enthusiasm that all were carried away by his words."

(From Chapter 4, "First Recruits")

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To learn about a disciplined, Catholic, joyful Rule of Life that can help you draw closer to God while living in your own home, consult the Home Page of the Confraternity of Penitents, linked to in the link box at the top of this page.

Thank you and God bless!