A Saint For All Seasons

John-Francis Friendship

This book is now available for pre-order—your early interest will help us determine how many copies to print.
It will go to print in May 2026, to be send out in the first week of June

For 800 years the life of one man, one saint, has inspired that of countless others and, as we celebrate that Octocentenary on October 4th, this book is concerned with looking at him and the insights he offers us today. Aided by others it was written by a member of the (Anglican) Franciscan Third Order who spent 25 years in the First and draws on Francis’ insights revealed through his writings and those of some contemporaries.

It delves into poverty in times of plenty; penitence in an age of self-centredness; praise, prayer, and solitude; the world as sacrament; renewal and tradition; the place the virtues play in God’s new creation, and hope in an age of fear and anger.

It isn’t a complete biography but the last in a trilogy of books published by the Third Order of the Society of St Francis to refresh our encounter with Francis. Each chapter contains three parts: The call to Francis, looking at aspects of his life; Francis’ call today, exploring insights applicable to today’s Church and world, and Francis’ call to me which offers questions suitable for individual reflection or group discussion. Beginning with his death
– his Transitus – it concludes by considering our own and what Francis can teach us as we prepare for that.