Praise for When Saint Francis Saved the Church

Now Featured at the Patheos Book Club
When Saint Francis Saved the Church
How a Converted Medieval Troubadour Created a Spiritual Vision for the Ages
By Jon M. Sweeney

What People Are Saying

"Jon Sweeney is good at many things, but he is a master at retrieving the treasure of the Christian past and restoring it to currency for the Christian present. In this book, he transcends even those categories. Francis of Assisi, a saint for every age, springs to life under Sweeney's attentive care."
—Barbara Brown Taylor, Author of An Altar in the World

"After trying to follow Christ as a Franciscan for almost fifty years, I can honestly say this is an exciting, intelligent, and faithful understanding of Francis of Assisi—for our time and for all time! Read, and find hope!"
—Richard Rohr, O.F.M., Center for Action and Contemplation, Albuquerque, New Mexico

"Once again with his reader-friendly style, practical advice, and sense that history is really present in its impact on our daily lives, Jon Sweeney brings St. Francis into the twenty-first century as a friend and model we can delight in and trust. In six simple ways Sweeney's Francis shows us how to transform our lives and give them joy and meaning. This Francis is a Francis that readers may feel they are meeting anew and finding even more relevant in their lives."
—Murray Bodo, O.F.M., Author of The Way of St. Francis

"This well informed meditation on the life of St. Francis is a delight to read. Jon Sweeney's careful and timely retelling of Francis's story deepens our understanding of why a twenty-first century pope took the saint's name and gives us hope for the future of the church."
—Paul Moses, Author of The Saint and the Sultan

"We are living at a time when another Francis promises to spur renewal of the Church. Although history does not repeat itself, reflecting with Jon Sweeney on the work and wisdom of St. Francis of Assisi orients us on how to pray for Pope Francis's efforts and to respond to his initiatives."
—Bert Ghezzi, Author of Voices of the Saints

"Jon Sweeney applies popular history to a man who changed history, St. Francis of Assisi. Deeply familiar with the Franciscan sources, writing in a very accessible style, Sweeney points to Pope Francis's inspiration. I like this book!"
—John Feister, Editor in Chief, St. Anthony Messenger