🕯️ Occult Philosophy −17%

Saint Francis of Assisi: Brother of Creation

✍️ Mirabai Starr, Richard Rohr
Reader Score
4.6
(1 review)
$13.99 $17.00 Save $3.01 (17%)
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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Mirabai Starr illuminates the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, presenting him not just as a historical figure but as a vibrant spiritual guide. This volume delves into Francis's profound connection to the natural world, his transformative journey from prisoner of war to church reformer, and his unwavering commitment to authentic Christ-like living. Through a blend of inspiring narratives, contemplative prayers, and selections from Francis's own writings, readers are invited to cultivate a personal bond with this humble sage and his boundless compassion for all beings.

🕯️
Occult Philosophy

Praise for this book

“If you have not yet been introduced to the magic and freedom of Saint Francis, you are about to be 'attracted' and maybe even seduced into a much larger world where sun, moon, animals, plants, and elements are all shown reverence as 'brother' and 'sister.'”
— from the foreword by Fr. Richard Rohr
“Humility is the recognition of the truth about God and ourselves.”
— Saint Francis of Assisi
🏛 St. Martin's Essentials / Sounds True 📅 2013 📖 136 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781622030712
Fun Fact
Mirabai Starr masterfully unveils the radiant heart of Saint Francis, not as a distant historical figure but as a living spiritual guide for our times. While academic purists might desire more historical minutiae, this devotional shines as a deeply personal invitation to embody Francis's radical love for all creation. It’s a vital addition for anyone seeking an engaged, earth-centered spirituality, offering profound insights into compassion and authentic faith, positioning it beautifully within the modern contemplative canon.

📝 Description: Saint Francis of Assisi: Brother of Creation

When a small village was plagued by a wild wolf, it is told that a humble friar named Francis came and met the predator with nothing but his gentle words--and turned the wolf from a menace to a welcome citizen. This graceful man, who spoke to each part of Creation as a sister or brother, has become one of the most beloved of all saints. In both joy and adversity, Saint Francis served as a bold example of how to live completely and authentically as a follower of Christ. From his survival as a prisoner of war to the series of awakenings that helped him to reform the Catholic Church, Francis drew his strength from his miraculous, loving union with the natural world. Saint Francis of Assisi is an essential devotional reader for building your personal connection to the spirit of this modest Italian sage. Through stories, prayers, and his own writings, you are invited to share in Francis's nourishing devotion to God, and in his profound compassion toward all living things.

💎 Expert review

“
💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
Starr’s volume serves as an inviting entry point for those who appreciate contemplative prayers and selections from Francis’s own writings. However, readers seeking rigorous historical analysis or academic detachment will likely find this approach too personal and devotional. It is not suited for skeptics of mystical traditions or those preferring dry, factual biographies over spiritual guidance. The focus on radical gentleness and transformative journey may feel overly sentimental to some. Yet, for its intended audience, it successfully presents Francis as a guide rather than just a figure, offering a refreshing, albeit simplified, perspective on his commitment to church reform and natural connection.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This book is an ideal companion for readers seeking to deepen their spiritual practice through the lens of radical gentleness and ecological reverence. Those who feel disconnected from institutional religion may find solace in Mirabai Starr’s portrayal of Francis as a vibrant, accessible sage who embraced all creation. It appeals to individuals interested in transforming their relationship with the natural world and cultivating authentic, Christ-like living through contemplative prayer. Readers drawn to inspiring narratives that blend history with spiritual insight will gain a profound sense of connection to this humble figure. It offers a pathway to boundless compassion for all beings, making it essential for anyone yearning for a more integrated, earth-centered faith experience.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5
★★★★★
If you seek a spiritual path deeply rooted in nature, compassion, and authentic living, or wish to connect with one of Christianity's most beloved mystics, this devotional offers a profound journey into Francis's enduring wisdom. It's for anyone desiring a more integrated and loving approach to…

Reader rating

4.6
Based on 1 reviews
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Esoterica Books editorial team

Starr’s volume serves as an inviting entry point for those who appreciate contemplative prayers and selections from Francis’s own writings. However, readers seeking rigorous historical analysis or academic detachment will likely find this approach too personal and devotional. It is not suited for skeptics of mystical traditions or those preferring dry, factual biographies over spiritual guidance. The focus on radical gentleness and transformative journey may feel overly sentimental to some. Yet, for its intended audience, it successfully presents Francis as a guide rather than just a figure, offering a refreshing, albeit simplified, perspective on his commitment to church reform and natural connection.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, while historically informed, this is primarily a devotional reader. It focuses on fostering a personal spiritual connection with Francis's teachings and spirit, rather than offering a purely academic historical analysis of his life.
Francis's radical embrace of poverty, profound ecological awareness, and universal compassion offer timeless lessons for living a more integrated and meaningful life. His message encourages us to find the sacred in everyday existence and to treat all beings with reverence and love.

📖 Who should read this

If you seek a spiritual path deeply rooted in nature, compassion, and authentic living, or wish to connect with one of Christianity's most beloved mystics, this devotional offers a profound journey into Francis's enduring wisdom. It's for anyone desiring a more integrated and loving approach to faith and life.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Sacred Kinship with Creation

Francis's unique bond with the natural world, seeing all life as kin, is central to his spirituality. This book illuminates how his mystical union with creation fueled his spiritual path, deepening his devotion and inspiring a radical ecological awareness that resonates powerfully today, inviting us to see the divine in every aspect of existence.

Authentic, Unvarnished Spirituality

This work explores Francis's unwavering commitment to living Christ's teachings in their purest, most unadorned form. From his harrowing wartime experiences to his pivotal role in reforming the Catholic Church, his life exemplifies a profound, unpretentious faith that consistently challenged prevailing norms, calling for a return to simplicity and direct experience of the divine.

Universal Compassion & Devotion

At the heart of Francis's enduring legacy is his boundless love—for God, for humanity, and for every creature, even those deemed dangerous. The book delves into how this universal compassion manifested in his actions and writings, offering a transformative path to profound connection and illustrating how deep devotion naturally extends to all sentient life.

📜 Historical context

Emerging from 13th-century Italy, Francis of Assisi profoundly impacted medieval Christianity, advocating for poverty, humility, and a direct relationship with the divine. His efforts sparked a spiritual renewal, challenging the institutional Church while inspiring new religious orders. His radical vision, embracing all creation as brothers and sisters, continues to resonate, positioning him as a timeless figure of spiritual reform and ecological awareness.

📚 Glossary

Friar
Devotional
Brother of Creation

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. How might viewing all of creation as 'sister' or 'brother' transform your daily interactions with the natural world and its inhabitants?
  2. Reflect on a time you faced significant adversity. How did it, or how could it, become an opportunity for spiritual awakening or deeper connection for you?
  3. In what specific ways can you cultivate a more authentic, compassionate devotion in your own life, drawing inspiration from Francis's example?

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