Description:

This primer offers a succinct overview of the writings of Francis of Assisi and the hagiographical tradition that his compelling personality and spirituality inspired in the century after his seminal life.

The resurgence of interest in Francis and his charism has been enhanced after the call of the Second Vatican Council for religious communities to return to the historical roots of their unique calling and gift to the Church.

Since then, scholars of the Franciscan tradition and readers interested in the life and values of Francis have had access to a wide array of writings and texts about him and the Order he founded. And yet the number and complexity of these sources can sometimes appear daunting: which are historically reliable and which represent more theological interpretations of the saint and his significance? Which reflect the various biases and perspectives operative within the Franciscan Family at large? And how do these sources relate to each other and ultimately illuminate the story of Francis and his brothers and sisters? 

by Michael F. Cusato, OFM

pb ISBN: 978-1-57659-498-8

Copyright 2026