Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) has been honored by the Catholic Church as a Saint and on October 4, his feast day, Christian congregations of all denominations celebrate the Blessing of the Animals. This patron saint of ecology speaks to all who love the good earth and its creatures. As concerns about the environment, climate change, and animal extinctions escalate, respect for him seems to grow every year.

St. Francis has been painted by Rembrandt, had a film made about him by Franco Zeffirelli, and was picked as the patron of the Beat Generation by Jack Kerouac. He has been a central focus in the life and writings of Murray Bodo, a Franciscan priest who lectures on spirituality and is an award-winning author. He read a book about Francis of Assisi when he was 13 years old and has been examining this saint's life and ministry ever since.

We have reviewed his three-hour audio workshop released by Sounds True — The Way of Saint Francis: Teachings and Practices for Daily Life where he plumbs the significance of this pathfinder as a peacemaker, a mystic, a servant of the poor, and a friend of nature. Father Bodo is convinced that those who walk "the way of Saint Francis" can do so out of "a portable cell" of inner devotion.

In Francis and Jesus, the author provides a passionate portrait of this saint's intimate relationship with Christ. It was the Lord who appeared to Francis as he prayed before the Cross of San Damiano and asked him to "repair my house." As a reformer, Francis was often misunderstood but he persevered nonetheless. As a loyal and long-suffering disciple, he faced many trials and tribulations — not the least of which was losing his sight and dying an excruciatingly painful death.

Bodo depicts Francis as one who modeled himself after Jesus and found great meaning and solace in silence, solitude, hospitality, service, and protection of the poor.