A Knight and a Lady

A Journey into the Spirituality of Saints Francis and Clare

By: Bret Thoman

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

Everyone has heard of St. Francis, as well as his female counterpart, St. Clare. They lived in Assisi in the Middle Ages. They founded religious orders. They embraced poverty and served those at the margins of society. But what were they really like? What compelled them to give away everything they owned to live like the poor? What was it that moved them to lower themselves and seek Christ on the cross? In this book, Franciscan guide and author, Bret Thoman, brings to life the spirituality and milieu of two of Christendom’s most beloved saints.

Centered on the saint's own writings, the 13th-century sources, and modern scholarship, this book reconstructs the historical profiles of two of Christendom's most beloved saints in a serious manner. At the same time, the reflections, meditations, and questions provided in each section render it a contemplative guidebook and an ideal resource for study groups or private meditations.

Chapters include poverty, embracing one's leper, community, relating to the Church, relating to nonbelievers, creation and nature, prayer, peacemaking, and evangelization. With a welcoming foreword by renowned Franciscan author and priest, Fr. Murray Bodo, OFM, this book has been used in formation programs by Secular Franciscan and Third Order fraternities, as well as those who want to understand Franciscan spirituality better.

As we seek to navigate and walk with Christ in our own times–with no shortage of strife and discord–Francis and Clare offer inspiration. Though they lived some eight centuries ago, their steadfastness and commitment to the Gospel makes them ideal guides to accompany believers of every era in their faith journeys.