Francis and Clare: The Complete Works (The Classics of Western Spirituality)

By St. Clare of Assisi and Francis of Assisi

Book Overview

"...clearly a must for all libraries...and for all readers interested in spirituality." Religious Studies Review Francis and Clare: The Complete Works translation and introduction by Regis J. Armstrong, O.F.M. Cap. and Ignatius C. Brady O.F.M. preface by John Vaughn, O.F.M. "Praised be You, my Lord, with all Your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun, Who is the day through whom You give us light." Francis of Assisi (c. 1182-1226) Francis (c. 1182-1226), "The Little Poor Man" of Assisi, and Clare (c.1193-1254), "The Clear One," the woman who lived out his vision with heroic simplicity, together shaped the spirituality of early thirteenth-century Europe. Each gathered communities of like-minded persons to live out a radical commitment to the Gospel message of poverty and in the process left a legacy that has captured the imagination of both believer and nonbeliever throughout the ages. Here for the first time in English the complete writings of both Francis and Clare have been brought together in one volume. The book represents the first English translation based on the critical texts of the writings of Francis assembled by Kajetan Esser in his 1976 Opuscula des Heiligen Franziskus von Assisi, and the critical texts of Clare's writings done by Ignatio Omaechevarria. Writing in the preface to this volume, John Vaughn, Minister General of the Friars minor, sums up the relevance of Francis's and Clare's vision for today: " It] Calls us to revitalizes our lives and those of others, and indeed to renew the very life of the Church in these times of crisis." +

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0809124467
• ISBN13: 9780809124466
• Release Date: January 1986
• Publisher: Paulist Press
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.87 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Learn From The Saint Himself!

"Francis and Clare: The Complete Works" is a collection of the Rules, Letter, Prayers and any other writings believed to have been written by these two founders of the Franciscan movement, Sts. Francis and Clare of Assisi. I say "believed to have been written" because the authorship of some of the writings is based on the best scholarly research available, not on a reliable canon collected during the saints' lifetimes. The writings of Francis are presented first, followed by those of Clare. Because the works consist of a collection of unassociated writings, they do not provide a guide to holiness, as do other works, such as St. Francis' DeSales "Introduction To The Devout Life" or St. Ignatius of Loyola's "Spiritual Exercises". This is more like a law school case book in which one reads the material in order to discern the important themes. The important themes are not difficult to ascertain. One obvious one is the well known Franciscan emphasis on poverty. From these readings the reader gets the idea that the virtue of poverty is the detachment from things of earth so that one may concentrate on the things that truly matter. A second theme, which I had not associated with Francis, is that of reverence for and adoration of the Holy Eucharist. The prescriptions made by Francis in his day resonate well in our time with its struggle in maintaining a balance between Eucharist reverence and accessibility. This book serves well as a tool in a study of the life of St. Francis. We look to biographies to learn from him through an organized rendering of his life. We look to "Francis and Clare: The Complete Works" to learn from the saint himself.

St. Francis and St. Clare Full Force from a Fire Hydrant

If you are interested in Franciscan Spirituality this book is an absolute must; but beware this is St. Francis and St. Clare full force from a fire hydrant. Watch out! If you are used to getting St. Francis via an eyedropper you are going to get soaked! The editors have added scriptural references to the text. This allows the reader who has a Bible handy to go from St. Francis' or St. Clare's words right to Holy Scripture. That is a powerful combination. Don't read this book in a week, take a long, long time. You will be glad you did.

Excellent in the absence of the Omnibus

It is unfortunate that the Omnibus of Sources has become increasingly difficult to get one's hands on, yet this collection of the works of Francis and Clare is a splendid alternative. Francis and Clare articulate such an incredible vision of what it means to enter into the mystery of Christ. Perhaps the most splendid account in this collection is Francis' words to Brother Leo on what constitutes true joy. These texts are excellent for anyone wishing to embrace Christ by way of the example of the Little Poor Ones of Assisi. An excellent supplement to this text is "Franciscan Christology" published by the Franciscan Institute in Bonaventure, New York. Pax et Bonum.

Excellent collection of primary sources

I consider this volume a "must have" for anyone interested in Franciscan history and spirituality. The content, translations, and notes provide a very fine background in the original writings of Francis and Clare. Until the Omnibus of Sources returns to "print," this is the best primary souce material available.

rare source material

Wow! This book has to be my favorite in "The Classics of Western Spirituality" series so far. Francis and Clare of Assisi's know writings are all collected here. This is wonderful source material rarely found in its entirety elsewhere. Francis and Clare are given their own excellent introductions. This is an indispensable resource that is very nicely done. Buy it.