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	April 2004				The Gift of St Francis by John Davis and Don McMonigle, illustrated by Lynne Muir. John Garratt Publishing. Hardcover RRP $19.95
		Book review - The Gift of St Francis reviewed by Sheelagh Wegman
			This beautifully illustrated little book was launched in Australia last year with the words 'we desperately need St Francis' guidance for living in peace - not just tolerance but actually treating everyone as brother and sister.' Some of us today are a little wary of examining the lives of the saints, but in the story of St Francis and St Clare we have startling examples of the transforming life that Christ gives. Francis Bernadone was born into a wealthy merchant family in Assisi and travelled with his father across Europe. Until the age of about twenty-four Francis lived a rather wild and extravagant life, 'eager for foolishness of every kind.' Daring Conversion ensued from his education by the clergy in his local parish and was encouraged by his devout mother. He could have chosen to live a comfortable life continuing the family business, but on St Matthias' Day in 1208 he heard the account of Jesus' commission to the twelve disciples to go out in pairs and preach. This resonated with Francis' own vision and he responded by daring to do exactly as Jesus commanded. Francis was wise enough to work with the system, knowing that for a new religious order to succeed, it must have approval and submit to the authority of the Church. He wasted no time and went straight to the top - he spoke to Rome. Interestingly, the authors here note that Francis was thus making it clear that the two accepted religious orders for this time (Augustinian and Benedictine) were too settled and comfortable for what the times needed. He intended his order to be utterly centred on Christ himself, and a pattern of life emerged. Francis and his brethren wandered without possessions, preaching and ministering to the sick, completely dependent upon the generosity of those they visited. Interdependence This book does not fail to acknowledge the life of Clare, a young woman from an aristocratic family, who was inspired by the preaching of Francis to eventually help establish a second order of Franciscans for women: the Poor Clares. The book also contains some of Francis' poems and prayers that reflect his vision of a world of beauty and interdependence which should give rise to our continual praise and thanksgiving to a bountiful God. Radical Although these two people lived 800 years ago, their lives can still challenge us today. Francis' response to the Gospel was radical and uncompromising: he accepted it literally and sought to live in complete dependence on Christ. Well worth reading - and there is a companion volume on St Benedict.   John Davis and Donald McMonigle are Anglican priests in active ministry in Melbourne and Lynne Muir is an award-winning illustrator and calligrapher, also living in Victoria.