Tuesday, November 6, 2007
On Saturday, November 10, the Institute for Christian
Spirituality’s Great Spiritual Books program will host an in-depth
discussion of one of Christianity’s most beloved figures: St. Francis
of Assisi.
This Great Spiritual Book of the Semester Club meeting will focus on
St. Bonaventure’s "The Life of St. Francis of Assisi" and "The Journey
of the Mind to God," both of which explore the role of Scripture and
the example of St. Francis in our spiritual journeys to Christ. All are
welcome to this special event, which will take place from 9:30 a.m. – 3
p.m. in Lewis Hall. The registration fee, which includes refreshments
and lunch, is $15. Franciscans and those of religious orders may attend
free of charge.
During the event, Reverend Dominic V. Monti, OFM, and Dr. Kevin Hughes
will share their insights into these literary works. Father Monti is
currently Vicar Provincial and secretary of Formation and Studies of
the Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province in New York. He is also a
specialist in the works of St. Bonaventure. Hughes is an expert in the
role that St. Bonaventure accorded to Scripture in the spiritual
journey. At Villanova University, he is associate professor of Theology
and Religious Studies, as well as director of Villanova’s Patristic,
Medieval and Renaissance Conference.
Gregory Glazov, D.Phil., coordinator of the Great Spiritual Books
program and assistant professor of Biblical Studies, believes in St.
Francis’s appeal to all audiences, commenting that “The illustrated
stories of his life and all his adventures – from his youthful wishes
to be a knight, to his kindness to lepers, taming of wild wolves,
preaching to birds and receiving the stigmata – all these are
profoundly inspiring to young and old.”
Glazov also asserts that St. Francis’s teachings are relevant to
contemporary society. “An interesting and tough problem the Church
faces today is one that it faced in St. Francis’s day: the suspicion
among many that Christianity and Catholicism are incompatible,” he
explains. “St. Francis and his followers provide a response to this
charge not just by seeking to interpret Christ literally in word, but
by attempting to live like him.”
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