Jon M. Sweeney
Список книг автора Jon M. SweeneyThe St. Clare Prayer Book
For all who love St. Francis and his spirit of passionate creativity and devotion to God, this prayer book is an invitation to experience the spiritual gifts of one of his closest companions. Clare was a deep, ready source of wisdom—a well to Francis's river.
Discover the spirituality of St. Clare and how it complements that of St. Francis. Enter into a week of morning and evening prayer centered on themes from Clare's life. Pray with Clare's own words in a variety of occasions. And enjoy a special appendix that dramatizes what it might have been like to be there on that first night when Clare fled to the little chapel called Portiuncula to become a brother, and much more.
Light in the Dark Ages
The Middle Ages were not so very dark, as the old textbooks say. As you will discover in this intriguing portrait of the first Franciscans, we live in dark ages whenever we become preoccupied with power. In this popular history, Jon Sweeney reveals the timeless temptations that come with being human–greed, competition, ego, and selfishness–as well as the many ways that Francis and Clare of Assisi inspired change and brought light into darkness.
Discover how Francis was first found by God and then joined by Clare despite the violent objections of her family. Explore a variety of issues that they faced, including the treatment of lepers in medieval society, corruption in the Church, and attitudes toward the created world. You will also learn how Clare's spirituality influenced that of other prominent women, how St. Francis lost control of his own movement, and why Francis's body was secretly buried upon his death.
The examples of early Franciscan spirituality challenge any of us who would follow Christ today. How would we view a young person today who rejected family for spiritual reasons? Is it possible for men and women to have deep friendship and remain true to a call to chastity? Is intentional poverty of any value? Have we sentimentalized family to the point of ignoring what Jesus taught his disciples on the subject?
The Saint Francis Prayer Book
This warm-hearted little book is a window into the soul of St. Francis, one of the most passionate and inspiring followers of Jesus. «Prayer was to Francis as play is to a child: natural, easy, creative, and joyful,» author Jon Sweeney tells us. «Before it became common to speak in personal terms of a relationship with God, Francis did so and made it seem natural.» With this guide, readers will:
– Pray the words that Francis taught his spiritual brothers and sisters to pray. – Explore Francis's time and place and feel the joy and earnestness of the first Franciscans. – Experience how it is possible to live a contemplative and active life, at the same time. Visit Jon Sweeney's blog at www.jonmsweeney.wordpress.com.