He’s often thought of as the saint who talks to birds, the brown-cloaked bearded guy standing in a valley.
He’s the patron Saint of Italy, the patron Saint of ecology, perhaps the most beloved saint of all time. Francis of Assisi, 13th century beggar, prayer, preacher and pilgrim, visionary, ascetic, devotee of Christ. There’s a new book out describing his short life. Written by an atheist and inspired by the frescoes of the Renaissance. It starts with his death and weaves backward in time: vignettes of the Crusades, the conversion and the stigmata, seen in part through the eyes of his followers, dotted with his words.
“Man has as much knowledge as he puts to work,” said the 5 foot 3, radical and recluse, and perhaps no one worked for God harder than him. Centuries later we still consider his legacy.The Salvation and Seduction of Saint Francis is here.
(Hosted by Neal Conan)
Guests:
Valerie Martin, author of “Salvation: Scenes from the Life of St. Francis”;
Brother John-George of St. Elizabeth’s Friary in Brooklyn, New York who is also professor of social work at Columbia University and Washington University, St. Louis.