St. Francis of Assisi and the Conversion of the Muslims: part Due

2 weeks ago I wrote a post reviewing Fran Rega's book St. Francis of Assisi and the Conversion of the Muslims . I received a comment from him that opened with the following: "Thank you very much for your daring review of my book - daring because you haven't finished reading it yet!"

I guess he is right, in a way it was daring, even though I didn't think so. There were 3 reasons why I felt safe in doing so before I finished the book.

1)It was being put out by Tan.

2) The author was Frank Rega, an author I was familiar with.

3) It had a recommendation by Fr. Angelus M. Shaughnessy, O.F.M. Cap..

Last week I finished the book & Guess what? I was right to jump the gun. In my 1st post I said that the 1st 2 chapters lived up to my expectations. So did the rest of the book. In fact, I even learned a few new things. These things were unexpected pleasant surprizes. There is 1 in particular that I will mention when I get to that part of the book.

The book is divided into 3 parts. The 2nd part focuses on St. Francis & his missionary journey during the 5th Crusade (1219). This is the heart of the book. But it is not the whole of the book.

The 1st part (The Founder) looks at the early life of Francesco di Bernardone (nee Giovanni). Francesco was born in 1182 to Pietro & Pica di Bernardone. In these 7 chapters he covers the birth, youth, conversion of the Poverello, & pre-1219 events in the start of the Franciscan & Poor Clare orders. Even though I was familiar with this story I found myself eager to go on reading. Frank Rega's style draws you into the heart of the story.

As I said, Part 2 (The Missionary) is the heart of the book. It could stand alone without the other 2 parts. Again, I found myself looking forward to what happenned next. I knew some about San Francesco's missionary trip to Egypt. I found this part rich in new details that I was not aware of. Rega does an excellent job of setting the historical stage for the events. How well did St. Francis suceed in his efforts? You will just have to read the book to find out. Frank Rega comes to some conclusions & gives solid reasons for them.

Then we get to Part 3 (The Stigmatist). These 3 chapters look at the last few years of St. Francis' life. He does so by basicly looking at 3 events. Chapter 16 deals with how San Francesco created the 1st crèche. Again, I learned something new. This time about how San Francesco brought this about.

Rega talks about the Poverello's arrival at Greccio & his plans. & here is the punch-line: "According to St. Bonaventure, he even obtained the approval of Pope Honorius, so that he would not be accused of willfully introducing novelty into the sacred ceremonies." This incident has a message for all those who would ignore the rubrics & make unapproved changes in the liturgy willy-nilly.

Chapter 17 focuses in on Francesco's receiving the stigmata. For those of you who aren't familiar with what that is, stigmata are the bodily marks, sores, or sensations of pain in locations corresponding to the wounds of Jesus from His Passion & Crucifixion.

Chapter 18 looks at the last days of San Francesco. It was at this time that he wrote "The Canticle of Brother Sun". Anyone who tries to use this poem to justify the claim that Francis was a nature worshipper better go back & reread this. This is a song of praise to God for the gifts of creation, not a praise of creation itself. San Francesco's alternate title, "The Praises of the Lord", alone belies that claim.

I know many people often skip reading the Preface & Introduction to a book. In this case don't. They help set the context of the book as well as how & why Frank Rega came to write the book. 1 of the reasons is something I applauded in my 1st post, to bring back the real San Francesco, not "a glorified social worker, a nature lover or 'the first hippie'". (emphasis mine) As he said all this "is a great disservice to his true heritage". This book rights that wrong.

Many of today's followers have tried to use San Francesco to justify rebellion against authority, including Church authority. The book proves them wrong, Wrong, WRONG!! The 1 incident with the 1st crèche is only 1 of many events in St. Francis' life that Frank Rega writes about showing that the Poverello was totally submissive to Church authority. The Poverello is a prime example of how to be properly submissive to the Magesterium.

The entire book is very well documented, abundantly using primary as well as secondary sources. There are many points in San Francesco's life where events are open to more than 1 interpretation. He admits that. When he is forced to make a choice he presents what he "considered to be the most representative or reliable description of events, while trying to be as accurate as possible". I think he succeeds.

This brings me to the 1 small complaint about/disappointment I had with the book. Frank Rega's intention in writing the book was to "provide a concise, readable biography, with the primary emphasis on St. Francis's mission to the Muslims, the major thrust of the book." & he did so admirably. In doing so, he left me hungry for a book that went more in depth for both San Francesco's life before as well as after the visit with the Sultan. Hopefully, this book will inspire someone to write a full biography that goes into as rich a detail as did part 2 of this book. As pointed out, Frank Rega has already provided the bibliography, so whoever does it already is 1 step ahead.

As I noted earlier, this biography is written in such a way that you keep looking forward to what happens next. Whether you are familiar with the real San Francesco or meeting him for the 1st time, this book IS well worth reading.

In conclusion I repeat what I wrote in my earlier post: "I want to thank Frank Riga for bringing back the truth about my beloved Poverello. I cannot recommend this book highly enough."

(Note: For those of you wondering why I waited so long after finishing the book to write this, 2 words: Papa Benedetto. Now that things have slown down, I have more time to write on other things.)