Studying the Life of Saint Francis of Assisi

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Title

Studying the Life of Saint Francis of Assisi

A Beginner's Workbook (2nd Edition) Coordinated with the Francis of Assisi: Early Documents Volume I, II and III
Price
$19.95
ISBN
978-1-56548-397-2
Page Count
247 pages
Publication date
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    About the book

    This volume functions as an extraordinary source book with its ready made lesson plans and insightful commentaries on the varied aspects of the life of Saint Francis based on the Early Documents I, II and III. The Second Edition includes new scholarship and new bibliographic references. Worksheets have been revised.  

    There has never been a richer time for Franciscan studies than now, thanks in great part to the publication of Francis of Assisi: Early Documents (FA:ED) in 2002. Hugo’s workbook is a proven resource that has guided people at all academic levels through a study of the life and writings of Saint Francis using primary sources in translation. This Second Edition is a thorough revision that is totally compatible with FA:ED. It also includes new scholarship and new bibliographic references. More than half the worksheets of the previous edition have been revised, and others have been added.

    The worksheets can be done by individuals or in groups or seminars. General readers will enjoy learning about Saint Francis and how hagiography shaped the public stories of medieval saints. Formation directors who teach the life and writings of Saint Francis should not be without this extraordinary sourcebook with its readymade lesson plans and insightful commentaries. A Beginner’s Workbook is an invaluable guide … Br. Bill Hugo takes pains not to interject his own person between the voyager and St. Francis. Rather, he provides the tools and maps out a route for one to discover for her/himself the person of Francis.

    A Beginner’s Workbook is a further gift to the flowering of the Franciscan charism in our world.

    Br. John Corriveau, O.F.M. Cap.
    Bishop of Nelson

    [This is]… a considerably revised edition …taking a robustly critical approach to the sources. This guide will seem too critical for some, but for many more it will provide a sound basis for studying the life of Francis. It will help us to see more clearly who Francis is, cleared of some of the sentimentalitv that can so easily distort pictures of him. It will prove valuable to those involved in formation in the Franciscan Orders and indeed any wanting to examine the sources for themselves. Hugo takes great care not to present a particular reading of the sources - he leaves us to make up our own minds having read the material and pondered it for ourselves. I commend it warmly.

    Gordon Plumb TSSF

    About the author

    William Hugo has ministered in initial formation since 1980 and taught the life of Francis of Assisi for over twenty-six years to Capuchins at various levels of formation and to Secular Franciscans. He was editor of The New Round Table, a journal of Capuchin spirituality and history, for seven years and is currently the Provincial Director of Initial Formation and Director of Postulants for the Midwest Capuchins.