'Francis, go and build up My house, which thou seest, is falling into ruin.' To fulfill this command of Our Lord, St Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) began by restoring physical churches and continued by building up the spiritual Church. Francis' humility, purity, and true joy inspired many to conversion and a deeper faith. Others joined with him in serving God and the poor; thus began the Franciscan Order. Never ordained a priest, St. Francis nonetheless was a preacher and a miracle-worker of the first order - curing, prophesying, casting out devils, turning water into wine, and raising people frmo the dead. The Life of St Francis of Assisi by St Bonaventure conveys a picture of the Saint that renders an indelible impression of a man totally transformed in God and by God. TAN CLASSIC; paperback.