The Way of the Franciscans: A Prayer Journey through Lent

by Daniel P. Horan

Publisher:

SPCK

, 2021

Overview

Whereas some religious traditions within Christianity offer a singular approach or spiritual focus, the Franciscan tradition is wonderfully diverse and manifold.

The Way of the Franciscans is a lovely Lent book for 2022 that offers a practical introduction to Franciscan spirituality, and the many distinctive and dynamic approaches to prayer, contemplation and action found within it.

Split into six chapters, with each focusing on a key Franciscan spiritual master and their way of prayer, The Way of the Franciscans is the perfect guide to help you prepare for Easter and deepen your spirituality throughout Lent. As well as exploring the history of the different Franciscan spiritual traditions and how they are united in their focus on living according to the Gospels, it offers practical, applicable guidance for making Franciscan spirituality part of your everyday prayer life.

The Way of the Franciscans is an ideal Lent devotional for 2022 for anyone wanting to increase their understanding of Franciscan spirituality, or for anyone looking for new ways to revitalise their prayer life during Lent.

Suitable for reading individually or using as a small group, this is a Lent book that will leave you with a new appreciation of the relevance of the Franciscan spiritual tradition and forms of prayer for Christians today, and equip you with practices for becoming part of this ever-growing tradition.

Key Features

• Introduces readers to the ways and practices of Franciscan faith
• Serves as the perfect guide to prepare for Easter and deepen one’s spirituality throughout Lent
• Discusses many distinctive and dynamic approaches to prayer, contemplation and action found in Franciscan spirituality

Contents

• Francis of Assisi: Solitude and relationship
• Clare of Assisi: Poverty, contemplation and the cross
• Bonaventure: Prophecy and everyday mysticism
• Angela of Foligno: Love of Christ, love of the world
• John Duns Scotus: Discovering God and our true self
• The way of the Franciscans continues

Praise for The Way of the Franciscans

This new book brings to light the rich tradition of Franciscan prayer, distinct in its theology, method and practice. Dan Horan provides an illuminative explanation of Franciscan prayer, as it unfolds through the charism of Francis of Assisi, deepened by the contemplative gaze of Clare of Assisi, and drawn into an incarnational theology in Bonaventure and Jacopone da Todi. The inclusion of contemporary Franciscans at prayer reminds the reader that this vibrant path to God is active and alive today, a path that is deeply incarnational, profoundly ecological and livelily communal. I highly recommend this book to all who seek the Franciscan way to God.

—Ilia Delio OSF, Connelly Chair in Theology, Villanova University, Pennsylvania

This Lent book is a rich and inspiring resource for all spiritual seekers who want to live the gospel more fully and follow Christ more closely – to become a living prayer. Dan Horan opens up the inclusive and diverse Franciscan tradition to reveal that there is a path for everyone; all are invited to discover and renew a closer relationship to God, others and creation through a deeper experience of different ways of praying.

—Fiona Gardner, author of Taking Heart

The Franciscan spiritual tradition is long, rich, varied and not widely enough known. Dan Horan’s wonderfully clear book brings us into living contact with the breadth of this tradition and the ways of prayer it opens up. A wonderful Lenten guide.

—Karen Kilby, Bede Professor of Catholic Theology, University of Durham

Product Details

• Title: The Way of the Franciscans: A Prayer Journey through Lent
• Author: Daniel P. Horan
• Publisher: SPCK
• Print Publication Date: 2021
• Pages: 125
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• ISBNs: 9780281083183, 0281083185
• Resource ID: LLS:WYFRNCSCNSJRLNT
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-10-22T22:27:14Z

About Daniel P. Horan

Daniel P. Horan, OFM, is a Franciscan friar of Holy Name Province and is the Duns Scotus Professor of Spirituality at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, USA. He has run various workshops and retreats on the Franciscan tradition, and teaches postgraduate courses on Franciscan spirituality. He is also a columnist at America Magazine and author of several other books about Franciscan spirituality and theology.. Among his titles are Francis of Assisi and the Future of Faith: Exploring Franciscan Spirituality and Theology in the Modern World, The Last Words of Jesus: A Meditation on Love and Suffering, and The Franciscan Heart of Thomas Merton: A New Look at the Spiritual Influence of His Life, Thought, and Writings.