LIFE OF ST FRANCISLIFE OF ST FRANCISbyby

THOMAS OF CELANOTHOMAS OF CELANO1228-12291228-1229

First biographyFirst biography

ininFRANCIS OF ASSISI:FRANCIS OF ASSISI:EARLY DOCUMENTSEARLY DOCUMENTS

VOLUME ONEVOLUME ONE

(FA:ED I)(FA:ED I)

LIFE OF ST FRANCISLIFE OF ST FRANCIS

More theologicalMore theologicalthan historicalthan historical

Written on occasionWritten on occasionof canonizationof canonization

Features also:Features also:

ST CLAREST CLARE

BROTHER ELIASBROTHER ELIAS

CARDINAL HUGOLINOCARDINAL HUGOLINO(POPE GREGORY IX)(POPE GREGORY IX)

SAINT CLARESAINT CLARE

As a young womanAs a young woman

Poor LadiesPoor Ladiesof San Damianoof San Damiano

BROTHER ELIASBROTHER ELIAS

Esteemed and lovedEsteemed and loved

Special blessingSpecial blessing

CARDINAL HUGOLINOCARDINAL HUGOLINO Protector of the Order Protector of the Order

(1220)(1220)

Intellectual giftsIntellectual gifts

Political influencePolitical influence

POPE GREGORY IXPOPE GREGORY IX Canonized Francis (1228)Canonized Francis (1228)

Announced the new SaintAnnounced the new Saint

Promoted spiritualPromoted spiritualrenewalrenewal

HAGIOGRAPHY

Modelled on ST MARTIN OF TOURS ST ANTHONY OF THE

DESERTConverted by the Word of

God

SAINT FRANCISRebuilt the Church on foundations:

Bl. Virgin Mary

Apostles

Martyrs

SAINT FRANCISRebuilt the chapels:

St Mary of the Angels

St Peter’s

St Damian’s

HISTORYHISTORYFacts from experience of:

Friar Thomas of Celano

Saint Clare

Other living witnesses

LIFE OF ST FRANCIS

ComprisesTHREE BOOKS

BOOK ONE

Humility of theIncarnationGreccio crib

BOOK TWO

Charity of the PassionAlvernia stigmata

BOOK THREE

Miracles after deathPentecost in the Church

APPROACHES TO READING

Look for:

Aims of Gregory IX

Other Saints’ lives

Historical elements

PRIMARY APPROACH

Spiritual formationCatch the spirit of St Francis

Love the incarnate Word,Christ Crucified and Risen