Spirit of Saint Francis

Advance praise for The Spirit of Saint Francis

Francis our pope is revealing through his daily life what Jesus announced and the way he lived. This little book inspired by Francis of Assisi who is a model for our pope will help many to rediscover the gospel message for today.

—Jean Vanier, founder of L’Arche International

Since his election in March 2013, many, many people have been inspired by Pope Francis’s profound spirituality and ability to articulate the deep love that God has for all people. Editor Alicia von Stamwitz has done a superb job in arranging the messages of Pope Francis in a manner that makes this book easy to use as a resource for prayer and reflection. This book will be treasured in the years to come as a remembrance of the first year of Pope Francis’s papacy and the transformation his deep understanding of the Gospel is bringing to the people of God.

—Ron Rolheiser, O.M.I., author, speaker, and

president of the Oblate School of Theology

Pope Francis is always so quotable that the challenge in a collection such as this is making smart choices. Fortunately, Alicia von Stamwitz is a (nearly) infallible guide!

—John L. Allen Jr., associate editor, Crux and Boston Globe

This is neither a pretentious book, nor a haughty one. Instead, it is a rich, quiet, assured book whose pages speak to, and about, the cumulative hope of the two millennia since Christ was here among us. As a body of selected writings and excerpts, it is both more deeply consoling and more religiously invigorating than I can even begin to say (and this from a life-long Protestant, no less) but this much I do know and can say: the Church Universal has arrived at a new and holier time. Thanks be to God.

—Phyllis Tickle, compiler, The Divine Hours

In his commitment to the poor, to peace, and to creation care Pope Francis is changing the status quo; challenging institutions of wealth and power, while inspiring the vulnerable and faithful around the world. The way Francis lives his life reminds us of Christ, and his message is reaching people of all religions and none. In The Spirit of Saint Francis: Inspiring Words from Pope Francis, Alicia von Stamwitz has compiled the pope’s most powerful and uplifting words on a wide variety of critical topics for the health and future of God’s children. I recommend this book to anyone looking for inspiration, vision, and spiritual guidance. These words of Pope Francis demonstrate why he is becoming such a life-changing, church-changing, and world changing leader—and a delightfully surprising gift from God.

—Jim Wallis, New York Times bestselling author of

The UnCommon Good and president of Sojourners

Young people watch us: Do our actions match our words? In Pope Francis they—and we—find a person whose words about Jesus are illustrated by his actions on behalf of the young, the marginalized, the poor, and the oppressed. Pope Francis provides both insight and application on love, mercy, forgiveness, humility, joy, compassion. His words have power because his life is a powerful example of discipleship. He challenged the young Church at World Youth Day 2013 to go make a mess in the streets…and I would add, take this book along with you! It serves as a wonderful guide to encountering Jesus.

— Bob McCarty, executive director,

National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry

What a wonderful collection of reflections by Pope Francis! In such a short period of time, this relatively unknown shepherd who came from the ends of the earth has found a home in the minds and hearts of millions of people of good will around the world. He has managed to transmit to us the joy of the Gospel through simple words and profound gestures that have moved us deeply. Each Angelus address, daily homily, General Audience catechesis and major talk of Pope Francis contains gems of spirituality, pearls of Catholic doctrine and messages of hope for everyone. This little book offers a window onto Francis’s Petrine Ministry and a doorway into his heart and mind.

—Fr. Thomas Rosica, C.S.B., CEO, Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation, English Language

Assistant to the Holy See Press Office

No Marketing Info Available