The Spirituality of Saint Francis of Assisi

Podcast-style audio & video course - 12 Topics
Length: 4 hrs and 48 mins
(12 customer reviews)
Audio Download + Subscription
$0.00
Audio Download + Subscription
$0.00
Includes Free Study Guide
Audio Download + Subscription
$0.00

Far from being a relic of the Middle Ages, Franciscan spirituality remains a growing and vital movement worldwide. Its influence has shaped many of the most popular Catholic devotions, from the Stations of the Cross to Eucharistic Adoration.

Now, The Spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi invites you to learn from the Franciscan tradition of living the gospel. In this inspiring course, you will look at the spiritual writings of St. Francis and his followers as well as how they put their beliefs into practice. Br. William Short’s powerful yet accessible lectures deliver you the heart of the treasures from this “little poor man of Assisi.”

In these lectures, you will explore St. Francis’s spiritual practices, life of prayer, and meditations on the Crucified Christ. You will also reflect on profound questions posed by the Franciscan tradition. Why does Francis consider joy a good defense against the influence of evil? How does the Incarnation of the Word relate to creation? What can the Gospel reveal about the “poverty of God”?

You will then look at the

Far from being a relic of the Middle Ages, Franciscan spirituality remains a growing and vital movement worldwide. Its influence has shaped many of the most popular Catholic devotions, from the Stations of the Cross to Eucharistic Adoration.

Now, The Spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi invites you to learn from the Franciscan tradition of living the gospel. In this inspiring course, you will look at the spiritual writings of St. Francis and his followers as well as how they put their beliefs into practice. Br. William Short’s powerful yet accessible lectures deliver you the heart of the treasures from this “little poor man of Assisi.”

In these lectures, you will explore St. Francis’s spiritual practices, life of prayer, and meditations on the Crucified Christ. You will also reflect on profound questions posed by the Franciscan tradition. Why does Francis consider joy a good defense against the influence of evil? How does the Incarnation of the Word relate to creation? What can the Gospel reveal about the “poverty of God”?

You will then look at the contributions of St. Clare of Assisi, St. Bonaventure, St. Anthony of Padua, and Bl. John Duns Scotus. Finally, you will explore the modern-day legacy of St. Francis.

By exploring the rich Franciscan spiritual tradition, you will encounter Christ at the heart of the world. This is the gift of St. Francis: “the treasure of a poor man.”

*This is a second edition of The Treasure of a Poor Man: St. Francis of Assisi and Franciscan Spirituality with completely re-recorded and updated lectures

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Your Free Electronic Study Guide! When you order this course, we will send you a free electronic study guide that you can access in 3 convenient ways:

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$17.99

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Br. William Short, O.F.M, S.T.L., S.T.D., is Professor of Christian Spirituality at the Franciscan School of Theology in Oceanside, California, where he has also served as President and Academic Dean. He was previously Professor of Christian Spirituality at the Graduate Theological Union and Director of the St. Francis Retreat Center in California. A Franciscan friar, he received a B.A. from the University of San Francisco, an M.A. in Philosophical and Systematic Theology, and the S.T.L. and S.T.D. degrees from the Gregorian University in Rome. In July of 2014, Br. Short received the 25th Franciscan Institute Medal.

Br. Short has dedicated his scholarly work to a retrieval of the Franciscan tradition of spirituality and theology. He is co-editor of the three-volume series of English translations of all the documents written by St. Francis of Assisi and his earliest biographers, Francis of Assisi: Early Documents. He has published works on the history of the Franciscan movement and its spirituality.
*Speaker Photo by Scott Anger

Praise for Bill Short

“Bill Short brings a lifetime of scholarly work combined with a lifetime of applying the principles of the Franciscan Rule of Life to his daily existence. Thus, [his presentations are] shot through with the wit and wisdom.”
– Margaret Carney, OSF, President Emerita, St. Bonaventure University

“Bill Short is one of the most prolific and knowledgeable scholars of the entire Franciscan tradition as evidenced by his previous lecture series, articles, and books on the Franciscan movement. As those living in the Middle Ages would say, to listen to Bill is to sit at the feet of a Master.”
– Fr. Steven J. McMichael, OFM Conv., University of Saint Thomas

“Brother Bill Short has dedicated his Franciscan life to make accessible the rich spiritual resources of the early Franciscan tradition. Through his sharp translation skills, insight, and heartfelt humor, Francis of Assisi speaks to us again today.”
– J. A. Wayne Hellmann OFM Conv.

  • Spirit & Life: Hearing the Gospel and Putting It into Practice
  • Cleaning the House Inside Us: The Word in Our Hearts
  • A Poor Woman and the Word: The Blessed Virgin Mary
  • Christmas as the Meaning of History
  • The Humility of God: Reverence for the Holy Eucharist
  • We Adore You: The Cross at the Heart of the Church
  • A Salutation of the Virtues: Humility and Patience
  • True and Perfect Joy: Enduring Suffering, Keeping Peace
  • No Gloomy Hypocrites! Spiritual Joy to Frustrate the Devil
  • The Soul’s Journey into God: The Path of Franciscan Mysticism
  • The Mirror Hanging on the Cross: Finding Our True Self in Christ
           Crucified
  • Christ the Center of All Things: Nature as God’s Good Creation in Christ

12 reviews for The Spirituality of Saint Francis of Assisi

  1. Franklin

    Excellent lectures

    These lectures are amazing! I have always appreciated the wisdom of Franciscan Spirituality and Br. Short explains a new level of detail. Simply priceless.

  2. Jimbo

    A primer in the subject of Franciscan Spirituality

    The spirituality of St. Francis is anything but a “feel good” point of view, although there is plenty of joy and peace. This writer speaks from experience as he gives us (and the world) the much needed virtues of Francis of Assisi: humility, true poverty of spirit, patience, love of the poor, and reverence for all of creation,

  3. Dr David Leary, OFM Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    *

    Br William Short is one of the English speaking world’s foremost researchers, writers and presenters on the origins and early development of the Franciscan Order. From that position, Br Bill is able to inform us of the complexity and yet simplicity of Franciscan spirituality. It is engaging, nourishing and inviting.

  4. Sr. Juliana

    The presenter is lively and very knowledgeable in this subject.

    Brother Bill Short’s historical background of the time of Francis was very helpful. Francis became more alive to me. I have greater admiration of this Saint of all time and of all peoples. The presenter is lively and very knowledgeable in this subject.

  5. Karron

    It was clear, complete, succinct and inspiring.

    The course on Franciscan Spirituality by Fr. Bill Short, OFM, was the best elucidation of the Franciscan charism that I have ever heard. It was clear, complete, succinct and inspiring.

  6. Kathleen W., IN

    Fall Survey: October 2016

    Brother Bill’s soothing voice, clear delivery, and sheer knowledge of Franciscan history makes his courses my first choice, hands down.

  7. Br. Rodd

    A master presenter

    Br. Bill Short, OFM, is a master presenter. He speaks deep truths about Franciscan Spirituality so that everyone, lay or seminary trained, can understand. He has a superb handle on the material in educating this generation on the person of St. Francis and the history of the Franciscan intellectual tradition.

  8. Walter T., CT

    Spring Survey: April 2017

    I am greatly interested in St Francis and Fr. Short is a great presenter and very knowledgeable.

  9. Sr. Patricia L., NY

    Summer Survey: July 2017

    Br. Bill Short gives factual information in a humorous and interesting manner.

  10. John Kosinski

    Summer Survey: July 2017

    The best series of presentations on Franciscan Spirituality that I have ever heard

  11. Ralph R. P., OFM USA

    2017 Christmas Survey

    Br. Bill Short is insightful, engaging and concise. I found the presentation excellent.

  12. Sister Sheryl H., OSF, MO

    2018 Summer Survey

    Br. William Short is so awesome, he really brings to life St. Francis and the early followers

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