Book Review of Francis and Clare: The Complete Works

Francis and Clare:  The Complete Works

Francis of Assisi, Author, Clare of Assisi, Author, Translation and Introduction by Regis J. Armstrong, O.F.M CAP., and Ignatius C. Brady, O.F.M.,Preface by John Vaughn, O.F.M.

By Kimberly McCarthy

TITLE & CITATION: Francis of Assisi (author), Clare of Assisi (author), Armstrong, R. J., O.F.M. Cap.(translator), Brady, I. C., O.F.M. (translator), Vaughn,J.,O.F.M.(preface author) Francis and Clare The Complete Works. New York: Paulist Press, 1982. 256 pages. Available in softcover ($22.95).

AUTHOR:  Francis of Assisi, author, Clare of Assisi, author, Preface by John Vaughn, O.F.M., Translation by Regis J. Armstrong, O.F.M. Cap., and Ignatius C. Brady, O.F.M.

BOOK REVIEW: 

by Kimberly McCarthy

The complete written works of St. Francis (c. 1182 - 1226) and St. Clare (c. 1193 - 1253) fill just 184 pages of this paperback book.

The editors of Francis and Clare: The Complete Works write, “The relatively few pieces that have survived the vicissitudes of history have become unwitting witnesses to the attitudes of both Saint Francis and Saint Clare that there is nothing in this world to which a person should cling and by which he should be distracted from that Love which is God. Thus, the paucity of their writing is another example of the poverty that is at the heart of the Franciscan charism.” (Page XV)

The editors provide a chronological listing of Saint Francis’ writing. The first grouping covers the years 1205 to 1223. This group includes The Prayer before the Crucifix, and The Earlier Rule. The editors write, “The Earlier Rule is one of the richest spiritual documents of the Franciscan tradition.”

The second grouping is undated writings, which includes The Praises to Be Said at All the Hours. The final grouping of the saint’s writings covers 1224 to 1226 and includes The Letter to Saint Anthony.

Saint Clare’s writings number far fewer than those of St. Francis. Her writings include five letters, four of which are to Blessed Agnes of Prague; The Rule of Saint Clare; The Testament of Saint Clare; and, a blessing.

Despite the small number of writings of both Francis and Clare, the power of reading the actual words of these saints is what is most striking.

No author is giving you his or her interpretation of what the saints are saying. You get to hear directly from these two saints and read their inner most thoughts about the Divine.

When you read what Saint Clare wrote to Blessed Agnes of Prague, you are inspired, as if she is talking to you.

“What you hold, may you always hold.

What you do, may you always do and never abandon,

but with swift pace, light step, unswerving feet, so that even your steps stir up no dust,

go forward

securely, joyfully, and swiftly,

on the path of prudent happiness, believing nothing, agreeing with nothing which would dissuade you from this resolution or which would place a stumbling block for you on the way, so that you may offer your vows to the Most High in the pursuit of that perfection to which the Spirit of the Lord has called you.” (Page 196)

The Admonitions of Saint Francis also speak to us the readers in a direct way. We can apply his ideas to our lives.

Admonition XXVII How Virtue Drives Out Vice

1. When there is charity and wisdom there is neither fear nor ignorance
2. Where there is patience and humility, there is neither anger nor disturbance
3. Where there is poverty with joy, there is neither covetousness nor avarice.
4. Where there is inner peace and meditation, there is neither anxiousness or dissipation.
5. Where there is fear of the Lord to guard the house (Lk 11:21) there the enemy cannot gain entry.
6. Where there is mercy and discernment, there is neither excess nor hardness of heart.

Reading this book will let you hear firsthand what Saint Francis and Saint Clare felt important enough to write down so others might know how to seek and serve God.

The editors write about Francis, “What is unique in his writings, however, is his intuition of the penetrating character of the Trinitarian life in the daily living of Christian faith.”

The writings of both these saints are a roadmap for us all.

BIOGRAPHY ON THE REVIEWER: Kimberly McCarthy is in formation to be a Secular Franciscan. She teaches journalism for the online Catholic school, Mother of Divine Grace. Kimberly grew up in Chicago and Kansas City, and earned her Bachelor of Journalism and Master of Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Keeping a nature journal is one way Kimberly observes the beauty of God’s creation. You can find her drawings and reflections at: naturejournal.earth