Stars in the Same Firmament

Discovering St Francis’ Interfaith Contemporaries

You can order this book but it is only available from 20 March 2026

This resource inspires conversations with Islam and Judaism. In this 800th Anniversary year we turn back to discover that the twelfth and thirteen centuries were a time of deep spiritual yearning across diverse cultures: people making fresh discoveries of the Divine that speak powerfully to souls today.

Here we’ll uncover distinctive insights that challenge our own ways of thinking about and experiencing God. A time of uncertainty, overshadowed by fear and war, by darkness punctuated with sparks of faith, glimmers of renewal: not only Francis’ time but the 21st century too. These eternal stars inspire lives of glowing faith, bringing hope to others. And in a divided, polarized world, stars which share a common firmament urge people to reach out to one other across the spaces that separate them, to learn from and encourage one other, and share their God-given light!

Here is a catalyst for interfaith sharing, a resource opening up wider contexts for understanding Francis, a source book of wisdom texts to inspire lives of faith today, indeed a guidebook to the spiritual life.

David Walker TSSF, Bishop of Manchester:
What a wonderful book! Seeing Francis in the context of other spiritual leaders and writers of his era has been a real joy, and resources us for interfaith interactions today. Opening a window into the insights and interplay of Christian, Jewish and Muslim sages, men and women, of Francis’ time, it reveals spiritual treasures as precious now as 800 years ago.

Pat Mossop, Society of St Francis, Third Order:
To sit down with our Christian, Jewish and Muslim neighbours is Andrew’s exciting invitation. We  listen and learn to navigate by the three Abrahamic faiths’ philosophers, theologians, mystics and musicians who shine like stars in the sky – meet the contemporaries of St Francis of Assisi. This inviting book aims to encourage support and stimulate Jewish, Christian and Muslim conversation, encouraging Franciscans and others to reach out to their interfaith neighbours.