The Love Letters: Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi Meet Pope Francis

by Bruce Davis

Who is Pope Francis and where is he leading the Church? To understand the impact of Pope Francis and his inspiration to the Catholic Church, indeed people of all religions, we turn to the two saints who are his inspiration, Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi and the great love of their spirituality. Eight hundred years ago when the Church had fallen into scandal and hard times, Saint Francis and Saint Clare lifted the Church to new life, new beginnings. Today the Church suffers the same crises. Today Pope Francis is looking at the heart full spirituality of Saint Francis and Saint Clare to lift the Church with less pomp and ceremony and more embracing the poor and unwanted. The Love Letters is the love story of Francis and Clare and the challenge for Pope Francis and the world to discover the same love in our hearts, our neighbor, nature, and all creation. The Love Letters is historical fiction. What if Saint Francis and Saint Clare were to meet Pope Francis? What would be their thoughts, dreams and hopes for a new Church? The Love Letters is the mystical love discovered by two of the world's greatest mystics long ago asking who is the new Pope Francis? Can he rebuild the Church into a living Church, a church less concerned with rules and order and more about forgiveness and compassion? In the silence of our hearts, in giving to those in need, Saint Francis, Saint Clare, and Pope Francis offer a new vision for us all to become instruments of true peace and joy. Bruce Davis, Ph.D. has pursued the footsteps of Saint Francis and Saint Clare for many years. For twelve years he and his wife, Ruth, lived in Assisi, Italy the historic home of these remarkable saints. There they began the Assisi Retreat Center which was awarded one of the top ten meditation centers in the world by Travel Leisure Magazine and CNN. Recently, Bruce and Ruth opened Silent Stay, a new retreat center near Napa, California. Bruce is the author of several books including Monastery Without Walls, The Magical Child Within You, and Simple Peace-The Spiritual Life of Saint Francis of Assisi.

100 pages, Paperback

First published March 13, 2014

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Reviews

[Barb]

This novel is written in the form of letters between Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi. It is based upon a very typical interpretation of Francis' teachings and should not be treated as historically accurate. The introduction itself contains historical inaccuracy as it presents Francis and Clare as a spiritual Romeo and Juliet. Later in the book, it is implied that the Secular Franciscans were founded by a Franciscan brother and Poor Clare Sister who fell in love and conceived a child.
"Spiritual" is the word that comes to mind as I read this short novel. But it's spiritual in a vague sense, not so much a Franciscan sense or even a Catholic sense. The premise of the book is that as Francis and Clare correspond with each other, a new Pope is elected who follows the spirit of Franciscan teaching. But the letters, more so the letters of the fictional Clare than the fictional Francis, express wishes that this Pope would sell the Vatican's riches, improve the rights of women, and redistribute the wealth of the world. The issue of "rules and doctrine" comes up repeatedly, as if these are obstacles to faith rather than the buttresses that support it.
The more-mystical paragraphs of the book are its best feature. Poetic and prayerful, they invite the reader to reflect on God's grace, peace and generosity. The "Letter to Your Donkey" in particular, dealing with Francis' stigmata, is beautiful.
The Love Letters is more idealistic, reflective, and mystical than narrative in nature. Historical inaccuracy and editing errors, unfortunately, distract the reader from the purpose of this book.

[Devra Jacobs]

A wonderful book. I am not Catholic but really enjoyed this book. With the new Pope its surprising how this book just follows what is going on right now. Amazing that it was written before the new Pope Francis was chosen. So what if the spirits of Saint Francis and Saint Clare could talk to each other? I really like this one.