The Wolf in Winter: A Story of Francis of Assisi

By John Richard Sack

Francesco Bernardone was the son of a wealthy man, but had been seized by a deep desire to live a simple existence without possessions, nourished only by love of God. People said he was crazy and perhaps he was.
Having a pretty ideal is one thing, actually living it is another. How could he stay simple, when life was complicated? How could he be a man of peace when society was fearful and hostile? It was not so simple to be simple, Francesco found.
This is the story of young Francesco's first, fumbling attempts to discover his new vocation. It is set against the colorful panorama of 13th century Italy--its rich towns, country inns and monasteries and the poor, benighted people who lived in them. Includes the tale of Francis and the wolf of Gubbio. Both adolescents and adults will enjoy rediscovering the coming-of-age of the man who would become St. Francis of Assisi.

• Language: English
• Publisher: John Richard Sack
• Release date: May 27, 2011
• ISBN: 9780983550006

John Richard Sack

John Richard Sack was born in Springfield, Ohio. He earned a BA in English from Yale University and an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Washington.As a young man, John spent two years as a Trappist monk under the tutelage of Thomas Merton, his novice master at Our Lady of Gethsemane Abbey in Kentucky. In the 1970s, he trained in a Hindu ashram in Ganeshpuri, India. Spiritual transformation is a common theme in both his fiction and nonfiction books.He is the author of the internationally acclaimed novel: "The Franciscan Conspiracy" and a companion work, "Angel's Passage." "The Wolf in Winter" is a fictional tale of the early career of Francis of Assisi. His nonfiction "Yearning for the Father," "Mystic Mountain," "Views of the Moon" and "Lao-Tzu at the Border" are guides to contemplative prayer, the culmination of years of research and reflection and his exploration of numerous spiritual traditions. "Trappist Tales" is a collection of short stories loosely based on his years at Gethsemane Abbey.He now lives in southern Oregon with his wife, Christin Lore Weber, author of many books related to spiritual growth. Their blended family includes Bjorn Kristian, Jeff & Karen, and Bryana & Patrick.

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