The Life of St. Francis of Assisi
By Saint Bonaventure · Published by TAN Books
Overview
"Francis, go and build up My house, which thou seest is falling into ruin."
To fulfill this divine command, St. Francis of Assisi (1181–1226) began by restoring physical stones and ended by rebuilding the spiritual Church in the hearts of souls. The Life of St. Francis of Assisi, written by the Seraphic Doctor, St. Bonaventure, provides an intimate and authoritative portrait of a man totally transformed by God. Never ordained a priest, St. Francis was nonetheless a preacher and miracle-worker of the first order—curing the sick, prophesying, casting out devils, and even raising the dead. This classic biography conveys an indelible impression of Francis’s humility, purity, and "perfect joy," which inspired a global revolution of faith that continues to this day.
- A Saint Writing of a Saint: Experience the life of Francis through the eyes of St. Bonaventure, one of the Church’s greatest theologians and a successor to Francis.
- Witness the Miraculous: Read authentic accounts of the extraordinary miracles, from the taming of the wolf of Gubbio to the receiving of the Sacred Stigmata.
- The Secret of Holy Poverty: Understand how Francis’s radical detachment from the world led to a radical attachment to Christ.
- Rebuild the Church: Gain inspiration for your own spiritual journey by seeing how one man’s simple "Yes" to God changed the course of history.
- Enhanced TAN Edition: Features updated typesetting, a fresh cover design, and a durable binding intended for a lifetime of devotional reading.
Intended Audience
This biography is essential for anyone devoted to St. Francis, members of the Third Order Franciscan family, and Catholics seeking to understand the true meaning of humility and evangelical poverty. It is a perfect introduction to the Saint for those who want to move beyond "garden statue" piety into the deep, radical reality of his life.
FAQs
How does this differ from other biographies of St. Francis?
St. Bonaventure’s account, the Legenda Maior, was commissioned by the Franciscan Order as the official, definitive biography to capture the spiritual essence of their founder.
Is this book historically accurate?
Yes. St. Bonaventure traveled to Assisi and interviewed the surviving companions of St. Francis to ensure the details of his life and miracles were preserved faithfully.
Is this suitable for a gift?
Absolutely. The updated typesetting and quality binding make this TAN edition an excellent gift for Confirmandi, new converts, or those taking a patronal name of Francis.
Key Themes
- Evangelical Poverty: Finding spiritual wealth by abandoning worldly riches.
- Conformity to Christ: The journey toward being "another Christ" (Alter Christus).
- Ecological Stewardship: A deep, prayerful reverence for all of God's creation.
- SKU:
- TC0214
- Preface by:
- Cardinal Henry Edward Manning
- Imprint:
- TAN Books
- Pages:
- 184
- Publication Date:
- 4/1/2010
- SKU:
- TC0214
- Product Format:
- Paperbound
- Pdf:
- https://tanbooks.com/content/TheLifeOfStFrancisOfAssisi_Preview.pdf
- Height:
- 8.50
- Width:
- 5.50
7 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews
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Fascinating Read
But I wish the language-in particular sentence structure and syntax-had been modernized. It would make it easier to read.
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Francis of Assisi
Such a worthwhile read without being too much. I’m half way thru the book and really getting a sense of who this holy man was, his profound faith, devotion to Our Lord and Mary and how his order came to be.
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Life of St. Francis of Assisi
Haven't started this but a book written about a saint, by a saint, can only be good!
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The Life of St. Francis
St. Bonaventure ‘s Life of St. Francis is must reading for anyone who wants a clear and accurate study of the saint. This book, inexpensive yet easy to read, is the perfect introduction to getting to know St. Francis.
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Very Insightful and Inspiring
This is a great book for All who want to learn about the life of St. Francis of Assisi. It puts you in the perspective of those living with and around St. Francis and witnessed his growth.
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The Life of Saint Francis of Assisi
Inspirational! He lived a life that we can aspire to.
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Great text made easy to
This copy of St Bonaventures description on St Francis is a neat, beautiful, reasonably priced and lightweight product. For those who want to understand what Francis did for the Church, read this dedication. It was written with the intention of explaining how to convert most people to the faith. Tremendous read
