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Book Reviews

Book Reviews

Members are encouraged to submit book reviews of potential resource books that other OFS members may like to know about.
Submit through: 
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St Clare of Assisi - Light From the Cloister - By Bret Thomas, OFS

I recently completed reading the new book by author Bret Thoman, OFS, titled “Saint Clare, Light From the Cloister.”

As you know there have been many books written about St. Clare and I have definitely not read them all. Still, I am ready to tell you that I think you would find, as I did, that the style of Thoman’s writing is such that Clare’s life comes alive and present to you. This is unlike many other biographies which tend to be a bit dry and focused  only on the history.  Bret skillfully weaves the known facts of Clare’s life with imaginative passages that bring you directly into the profoundly spiritual world of the founder of the Second Order of Francis. Yes, Clare wrote her own rule which was not approved until just before her death. It took a lifetime of dialogue between her and Church authorities.

Clare was a strong, brave woman who pulled up her aristocratic roots and planted them in the soil of humility. Clare may have lived in a cloister but she lived a dangerous and heroic existence, fighting off angry knight relatives at the beginning of her journey with St. Francis and later a horde of Saracens who were attacking the area around Assisi. These warriors were stopped by St. Clare when they found she and her sisters prostrate before the Blessed Sacrament. Reading this I asked myself: “Could I have been that brave and have that much faith in Jesus?”

I would highly recommend this book to all Franciscans and those inspired by the lives of saints.
​
Reviewed by Debbie Richard, OFS,  August 13, 2018
  • Welcome
    • Blessed Father Frederick
  • Fraternities
    • Atlantic Area
    • Quebec/Ontario Area
    • Secular Franciscans of Canada
    • International Secular Franciscans
  • News
    • Fraternity Newsletters
    • Member Sharings
    • Events
    • Regional News
    • CIOFS News
    • Holy Spirit Province
    • More Franciscan Family
    • Pope Francis
  • National News
  • Blogs
  • JPIC
    • Taking Action
    • Fair Trade Pledge
    • Franciscan Voice Canada
    • Franciscans International
    • Laudato Si' & Fratelli Tutti
  • Franciscan Resources
    • Rule of the ​Secular Franciscan Order
    • General Constitutions
    • Ritual of the OFS
    • Statutes
    • Local Council Resources >
      • Local Council Duties
      • Elective Chapter - Local
      • Candidate's Formation
      • Local Treasurer
    • Regional Council Resources >
      • Elective Chapter Regional
      • Support to Local Fraternity
      • Regional Council Responsibilities
      • Regional Treasurer
    • Communication Kit
  • Formation
    • Regional Formation Corner >
      • On-going Formation Ideas
      • RULE - REFLECTIONS
    • Guidelines for Initial Formation 2017
    • Living Fraternity
    • 2008 CIOFS Formation Manual
    • Formation Manual
    • Resources for Franciscans >
      • Book Reviews
    • Reflections by OFS Members
    • Catechism of Catholic Church
    • Franciscan Shrines
    • Franciscan Saints
    • Plays and Stories
    • Articles
    • San Damiano Cross
  • Prayer
    • Liturgies >
      • Franciscan Wake Service
      • Transitus
      • Franciscan Way of the Cross
      • Christian Seder
    • Prayers >
      • Canticle of the Sun
      • Franciscan Crown Rosary
    • Music
  • Contact Us