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.”