Saint Francis of Assisi (1923)

The author G. K. Chesterton, one of the most influential English writers of the 20th century, is well known for his well-reasoned apologetics and even those who disagree with him have recognized the universal appeal of such works as Orthodoxy.

He begins his small autobiography book with a historical context a brief explanation of the political situation in Italy whereby small politics vied for power and land. St. Francis of Assisi was part of this environment and began his younger days as a soldier. St. Francis known fully as Giovanni Francesco Bernardone; born 1181 – October 3, 1226 was a Catholic deacon and the founder of the Order of Friars Minor, more commonly known as the Franciscans.

Readers should know that St. Francis was a friar rather than a cloistered monk. Modern men do not understand the cloistered life unless they understand that pagans worshipped nature to the point that such worship became perverted and unnatural. The cloistered life was a reaction to such unreasonable nature worship. One could argue that St. Francis appreciated nature, but St. Francis worshipped whom he considered the Creator of nature. St. Francis was not a pantheist. Chesterton explained that the cloistered monks prior to the active friars such as the Franciscans and Dominicans made invaluable contributions to Western Civilization. They hand copied books. The cloistered monks and nuns were Europe’s first teachers during the so-called dark ages and saved learning. These people taught men how to effectively breed livestock and cultivate land. Chesterton stated that the cloistered monks and nuns were severely practical. They were severe with themselves and were practical and compassionate with everyone else.

In spite of St. Francis poverty and asceticism, he was not a gloomy man. St. Francis was cheerful, optimistic, and free. Chesterton wrote that the Franciscans were more free than others because they took an honest vow of poverty. Anyone who is attached to his possessions could not be completely free. No one could contain St. Francis and his followers by economic and social necessity. Chesterton also commented that the Franciscans expected nothing but enjoyed everything because they believed that creation emerged from nothing. Though he would not let the world rule over him, he was not blind to the beauty in it. He saw everything as a great and divine painting, with God as the master painter.

St. Francis is known as peaceful man as commented by all who had met him. Chesterton shares a charming story that illustrates this point. St. Francis and his. Francis. These rulers did not accept Catholicism, but St. Francis’ kindness and manners made the Islamic rulers respect him in spite of severe religious differences. Many crusades want to kill Moslems in battle. St. Francis went to the Middle East not to kill Moslems but to create Catholics.Chesterton wrote this book to present a brief history and commentary of St. Francis and the Franciscans. Chesterton presented a more authentic view of the medieval era to give an accurate view of St. Francis and the Franciscans.

followers were approaching powerful Islam rulers during the Crusades. These rulers would have executed most Catholic if approached by other Catholics. Yet, the Islamic rulers showed respect to St

Another aspect of St. Francis’ life was that he was a poet. Chesterton made the comment that poets write about romance and love. St. Francis’ poetry was devoted to Divine Love and God. Many times you hear his poetic words in sermons and Christians in our modern times. One in particular I heard John Piper use which I also heard on a recent Switchfoot song was “Go preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” Some other words of poetry and prose are “It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching” ……………“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”………………..One of my favorites which is embedded on a metal bookmark which was a gift by my g/f is “All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.”

On the other side of the coin you must be warned this is a spiritual biography - it does not simply go from event to event in Francis’ life, but rather looks as the development of his spirituality, his calling, his order and his influence in later church history. This book is really an essay on the life of St. Francis. It is difficult reading, I think for your benefit; it would be good to read a normal biography on St. Francis prior to reading this work. The Life of St. Francis of Assisi by St. Boneventure; Reluctant Saint: The Life of Francis of Assisi by Donald Spoto. That way, you will not be frustrated in not getting many stories of St. Francis’s life, and you will have perhaps better understandings of what GK Chesterton is talking about. As I enjoyed study in the ancient pre-reformation catholic faith which in many ways were of inspiration to the reformers. Others like Augustine of Hippo and Thomas Aquinas are of note to read research on. ( )