Pope Francis, formerly Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, S.J., served the Jesuits as novice master, lecturer, provincial, confessor, and spiritual director before Pope John Paul II named him Archbishop of Buenos Aires. He was elected to the papacy on March 13, 2013. He is the first pope from the Americas and the first pope to choose the name Francis, in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Alicia (Ramirez de Arellano) von Stamwitz was born in Cuba and immigrated to the United States in 1960. She is an award-winning freelance author and longtime editor with the religious press. Her interviews and profiles of today's most influential spiritual leaders are published internationally. She lives in Missouri with her family. More information can be found at www.aliciavonstamwitz.com
Advance praise for The Spirit of Saint Francis Pope Francis is
always so quotable that the challenge in a collection such as this
is making smart choices. Fortunately, Alicia von Stamwitz is a
(nearly) infallible guide!
-- John L. Allen Jr., associate editor, Crux and Boston Globe Since
his election in March 2013, many, many people have been inspired by
Pope Francis's profound spirituality and ability to articulate the
deep love that God has for all people. Editor Alicia von Stamwitz
has done a superb job in arranging the messages of Pope Francis in
a manner that makes this book easy to use as a resource for prayer
and reflection. This book will be treasured in the years to come as
a remembrance of the first year of Pope Francis's papacy and the
transformation his deep understanding of the Gospel is bringing to
the people of God.
-- Ron Rolheiser, O.M.I., author, speaker, and president of the
Oblate School of Theology This is neither a pretentious book, nor a
haughty one. Instead, it is a rich, quiet, assured book whose pages
speak to, and about, the cumulative hope of the two millennia since
Christ was here among us. As a body of selected writings and
excerpts, it is both more deeply consoling and more religiously
invigorating than I can even begin to say (and this from a
life-long Protestant, no less) but this much I do know and can say:
the Church Universal has arrived at a new and holier time. Thanks
be to God.
-- Phyllis Tickle, compiler, The Divine Hours In his commitment to
the poor, to peace, and to creation care Pope Francis is changing
the status quo; challenging institutions of wealth and power, while
inspiring the vulnerable and faithful around the world. The way
Francis lives his life reminds us of Christ, and his message is
reaching people of all religions and none. In The Spirit of Saint
Francis: Inspiring Words from Pope Francis, Alicia von Stamwitz has
compiled the pope's most powerful and uplifting words on a wide
variety of critical topics for the health and future of God's
children. I recommend this book to anyone looking for inspiration,
vision, and spiritual guidance. These words of Pope Francis
demonstrate why he is becoming such a life-changing,
church-changing, and world changing leader--and a delightfully
surprising gift from God.
-- Jim Wallis, New York Times bestselling author of The UnCommon
Good, president of Sojourners, and editor-in-chief of Sojourners
magazine Young people watch us: Do our actions match our words? In
Pope Francis they--and we--find a person whose words about Jesus
are illustrated by his actions on behalf of the young, the
marginalized, the poor, and the oppressed. Pope Francis provides
both insight and application on love, mercy, forgiveness, humility,
joy, compassion. His words have power because his life is a
powerful example of discipleship. He challenged the young Church at
World Youth Day 2013 to go make a mess in the streets...and I would
add, take this book along with you! It serves as a wonderful guide
to encountering Jesus.
-- Bob McCarty, executive director, National Federation for
Catholic Youth Ministry What a wonderful collection of reflections
by Pope Francis! In such a short period of time, this relatively
unknown shepherd who came from the ends of the earth has found a
home in the minds and hearts of millions of people of good will
around the world. He has managed to transmit to us the joy of the
Gospel through simple words and profound gestures that have moved
us deeply. Each Angelus address, daily homily, General Audience
catechesis and major talk of Pope Francis contains gems of
spirituality, pearls of Catholic doctrine and messages of hope for
everyone. This little book offers a window onto Francis's Petrine
Ministry and a doorway into his heart and mind.
-- Fr. Thomas Rosica, C.S.B., CEO, Salt and Light Catholic Media
Foundation, English Language Assistant to the Holy See Press Office
Francis our pope is revealing through his daily life what Jesus
announced and the way he lived. This little book inspired by
Francis of Assisi who is a model for our pope will help many to
rediscover the gospel message for today.
-- Jean Vanier, founder of L'Arche International
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