The Little Flowers of St. Francis [Paperback]

Raphael Brown (Translator, Introduction)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

A book that captures the spirit of St. Francis like no other, this is a collection of the most charming tales of the Poor One of Assisi--his sermon to the birds, the story of the wolf of Gubbio, the exploits of Brother Giles and Brother Juniper, and more.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

A book that captures the spirit of St. Francis like no other, this is a collection of the most charming tales of the Poor One of Assisi--his sermon to the birds, the story of the wolf of Gubbio, the exploits of Brother Giles and Brother Juniper, and more.

From the Inside Flap

A book that captures the spirit of St. Francis like no other, this is a collection of the most charming tales of the Poor One of Assisi--his sermon to the birds, the story of the wolf of Gubbio, the exploits of Brother Giles and Brother Juniper, and more.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 357 pages
• Publisher: Image Books; 1st enlarged edition (August 3, 1971)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385075448
• ISBN-13: 978-0385075442
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.8 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #305,073 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining and Inspiring, April 27, 2000

By 

Jonathan Bennett (Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Little Flowers of St. Francis (Paperback)

Francis is one of the most famous Saints today, although most only know him through his famous prayer ("Lord make me an instrument of they peace..."). This is the book to read in order to find out more about his life. The Little Flowers could in many ways be called the "Acts of Francis and His Followers," as it chronicles their journeys and miracles, and records their wisdom. The stories are not historical accounts in the modern sense, but oral traditions that tend to be on the legendary side (e.g. he communicates with animals, talks to Saints in heaven). This particular translation by Raphael Brown is excellent for the it also has The Considerations of the Holy Stigmata, The Life of Brother Juniper, The Life of Brother Leo, and the Sayings of Brother Giles.

2) Brown has added sixteen additional chapters of material that have never before appeared in English.

3) It contains a lengthy introduction and an appendix to guide those who wish to learn more about the history of the book and the life of St. Francis. The appendix is particularly valuable because it has a biographical sketch of the characters and short annotations that illuminate difficult passages in the book.

4) The translation from Italian and Latin to English is very readable.

If you want entertaining, amusing, and inspiring stories in a quality package, then check out The Little Flowers of St. Francis as translated/edited by Raphael Brown.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and Enjoyable Tales that Inspire, March 5, 2008

By 

C. Stephans - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Little Flowers of St. Francis (Paperback)

The Little Flowers of St. Francis eloquently tells that tales of St. Francis and his brothers and sisters in the Franciscan Orders. Brown offers a lengthy introduction that provides some biography of Francis and explanation about The Little Flowers and additional chapters.

Many of the stories of Little Flowers are based on the previous biography by Thomas Celano. As one reviewer noted, it might be good to read a traditional biography of St. Francis to better enjoy the Little Flower stories; however, Brown's biography in the introduction serves as the basic outline of Francis' life.

The stories are inspiring and eloquent. Francis' life cannot be discovered apart from the miraculous and mystical. His spiritual devotion and charisma defined him and his order. Depending on one's view of the miraculous, these stories might seem quite embellished, but that is not necessarily the case. The impact Francis' life had on the world is a testimony to its power and supernatualness.

The stories are not lengthy and make great light or short reading. There are five sections that fully address the Holy Stigmata of St. Francis. Additional sections include extra stories of St. Francis and the life and sayings of Brother Giles a friend and successor of St. Francis.

Most of these stories can be read to children or to the family. "How St. Francis tamed the very fierce wolf of Gubbio" is a classic story. All of the stories are inspiring and seem to have a touch of the Divine.

Craig Stephans, author of Shakespeare On Spirituality: Life-Changing Wisdom from Shakespeare's Plays

5.0 out of 5 stars Short Stories for the Heart, January 12, 2011

By 

Walt Gartner (Nassau, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Little Flowers of St. Francis (Paperback)

I don't consider the Little Flowers of St. Francis a history book nor is it fiction, rather the book contains stories that plant flowers in ones heart that continue to grow after you've read them, like "What is Joy" or John of Alverna encountering Jesus in the woods. I read these stories to my children as they were growing up in the hope that the seed would sprout and become. They loved them.

I also give this book regularly as a gift, and I know why. Naturally, you have to know to whom you're giving it. Thus far, I've only heard praises for the book.

Enjoy the Little Flowers. They're meant to bloom in hearts.