Masterfully written and intensely enlightening, Franciscan Prayer could very well be considered the essential handbook for all those seeking to pray and live the Franciscan way. With exquisite execution, Franciscan theologian Ilia Delio clearly outlines what it means to pray as a Franciscan. Through her experience as a discalced Carmelite nun and then her transformation into Franciscan scholar, Sister Delio brings to light the “contemplative,” “cosmic” and “evangelizing” aspects of Franciscan prayer. Everyone, says Delio, seems to know about Francis’ life, his miracles, his devotion to evangelization and his dedication to living a simple and humble life, yet few know about his prayer life, which seemed, over the centuries, to get lost in the paper shuffle between theologians, followers and historical biographers. It is through Clare of Assisi, Delio asserts, that we have insights into the Franciscan path of prayer. “[Clare] provides the ‘road-map’ of prayer for evangelical lifeshe was able to do this because she lived under monastic rule while ardently desiring evangelical life.” Through Clare’s letters and actions, we find the rudiments of Franciscan prayer: “GazeConsiderContemplateImitate.” Delio also uses the insights of Saint Bonaventure as well as Saint Francis to fully show the meaning and purpose of prayer in the Franciscan tradition.

Franciscan Prayer

Religion & Spirituality

Delio O.S.F., Ilia

Christian Books & Bibles

Franciscan Media

The humility of God is really about God's relationship to the world and God's fidelity to the world, even when everything in the world seems to fail.—from the Introduction "Here as in her previous work, Sister Ilia builds on her outstanding command of the scholarship about the work of Bonaventure which has developed so remarkably in the twentieth century. Together with this she brings her personal knowledge and experience of contemporary scientific understandings of the cosmos. In a style that is preeminently readable, she offers insights into issues and problems that are widespread in the present period of Christian history. Sister Ilia has taken on these monumental issues and has opened insights, which can be helpful to many who take their Christian faith seriously."—from the Preface by Zachary Hayes, O.F.M. The Humility of God: A Franciscan Perspective is the first extensive treatment of a Franciscan theology of divine humility. Through the lens of St. Bonaventure's theology, Ilia Delio searches for God today "in a fast-paced, scientific world that in many ways views God as an unnecessary hypothesis." Using Bonaventure's Christ-centered mysticism, Ilia Delio illustrates God's humility and his relationship to the world, while at the same time tackling these tough questions: How can a God of love exist in such a time of turmoil and suffering? How can a well-educated Christian reconcile contemporary science with the central symbols of his or her faith?

The Humility of God: A Franciscan Perspective

Although this is a small book on the spirituality of a medieval woman from a glorious past, it is also a book about Christian life today. Clare's decisive emphasis on the person of Jesus Christ is an emphasis on the human person as well, what we are and what we are called to be. —From the Introduction Clare of Assisi: A Heart Full of Love explores Clare's deep desire to live the gospel life, more precisely, her desire for all of us to reflect on Christ and his crucifixion in order to see our own strengths and weaknesses, and most importantly, our capacity to love. Ilia Delio illustrates how Clare, through her life, her writings, letters, prayer and example, is truly a mystic who helped generations of Catholics clearly see how Christ took on human flesh, not just to suffer and die for us, but to help us all in turn reflect back the face of Christ to the world. Clare was not simply a follower of Francis, she was a formidable, resolute, devout and loving saint whose life centered on this essence of human identity—Christ is in each of us—and who sought to teach us to just be ourselves and to let God dwell within us. In Clare of Assisi: A Heart Full of Love, Ilia Delio shows us just how Clare's simple, but powerful beliefs transformed the way we all think about Christ—even today.

Clare of Assisi: A Heart Full of Love

If we are blowing our Franciscan horn here, it should have been blown much earlier and much louder! This is the wisdom that our world so desires and needs today. We can no longer see ourselves as separate from the 'great chain of being,' and we can no longer see this as a non-religious issue. Francis intuited all of this 800 years ago. —Father Richard Rohr, O.F.M., Center for Action and Contemplation, Albuquerque, New Mexico Three of the greatest minds in Franciscan theology, Ilia Delio, O.S.F., Franciscan Keith Douglass Warner, O.F.M., and Pamela Wood, come together to discuss one of the greatest crises of our time—the destruction of the Earth. This book takes both a theological and practical approach to developing a Franciscan spirituality of the earth. Four sections highlight the distinct relationships creation has with the world: incarnation, community, contemplation and conversion. In this meticulously researched book, the authors propose ways in which we can all understand our own roles in relationship to the Earth and ways in which we can make it better. Each section offers reflective action opportunities designed to bring the book's ecological and theological insights into the reader's daily life and nurture a Franciscan spirituality of the earth. Prayers, meditations, spiritual practices and group activities are offered which provide a practical hands-on approach to reconnecting with the earth and acting in right relationship. "Earth, with all its creatures, is in crisis. And responding to this crisis will require every possible resource of our human community. One of the most precious of these resources is the Franciscan tradition. It is a joy to welcome this book as a wise, thoughtful, inspiring and practical contribution to ecological theology, grounded in ancient Christian tradition that sees Earth as our sister and mother. Care for Creation is part of a wider retrieval of Franciscan theology for our new time, but is unique in this blend of three interrelated disciplines, scientifically informed ecology, theology and the practice of reflective action." —From the Foreword by Denis Edwards

Care for Creation: A Franciscan Spirituality of the Earth

Wood, Pamela

Warner O.F.M., Keith Douglass

"The most incomprehensible thing about the universe is that it is comprehensible" -- Albert Einstein Ilia Delio makes fascinating sense of the universe, beginning with the story of cosmic evolution, coursing through the meaning of God in evolution and the emergence of Christ, and concluding with new ways of seeing Christ in all things. As Teilhard de Chardin did in The Divine Milieu, Ilia Delio reveals the sacrament of God at work in the world. She also explores the spiritual evolution within each of us and suggests that it will change the cosmos as well as the church. She shows that we are at a stage in evolution where our choices will determine what happens next. "Love," she writes, "always seeks the best for the beloved but God is a beggar of love who waits at the soul's door without daring to force it open. The question of Christ emerging as the personal center of the universe is not a question of yes or no but a question of how that love will evolve." She makes one thing perfectly clear: it is happening and the evidence is astounding. The Emergent Christ is an antidote to the new atheism that says there is no place in evolution for God, let alone a God of love. It is also a spiritual tonic for Christians interested in understanding their place and purpose in this evolving universe.

The Emergent Christ: Exploring the Meaning of Catholic in an Evolutionary Universe

Orbis Books

What is compassion and how does it emerge in the human heart? What moves one to compassion? Can we learn compassion as a way of life? Can we let go of our fears to love more deeply? Compassion guides us through the life of Francis, tracing his growth from a selfish, materialistic young man to the humble, holy saint beloved by millions. With this book as your guide, you can do simple things every day to discover a more compassionate, open, fearless, and loving life—just as St. Francis did.

Compassion: Living in the Spirit of St. Francis

Thirteen scholars--including John F. Haught, Ursula King, and John C. Haughey, SJ--"take off" from where Teilhard de Chardin "left off," opening new windows to the divine mystery, to the evoloving person, and to the new energies of love needed for the forward movement of life.

From Teilhard to Omega: Co-Creating an Unfinished Universe

Religion throughout its history has been used to justify dominance and rightness, a narrative that sadly continues today. St. Francis of Assisi, however, fell in love with a Christ who cultivated humility and connection rather than power and division. This Christ of humility and poverty--depicted by Ilia Delio, OSF, in this Franciscan classic--invites us to contemplate a theology that can heal the separation within ourselves and our divided world today.

Franciscan Prayer: Awakening to Oneness with God

As we enter into a period marked by the science of evolution, global consciousness, technological connectedness, and religious pluralism, the question of Christian life is more urgent now than ever before. Does Christian life make a difference? Or is it simply a program of duties and obligations, a life that anticipates an otherworldly heaven? In these talks, you will explore the heart of Christian life as an adventure in love. You will begin with a discussion of God, who calls us into life. What is God and who is God as Trinity? How is the new creation story today, especially through the lens of evolution, helping us to see the triune God in a new way? Professor Delio will highlight the centrality of the cross as the mark of Christian life that sets it apart from other religions. Professor Delio will then turn your focus to Christian life as a spiritual life, asking questions such as these: How does the Gospel help shape spirituality? What is the place of sin and conversion? You will examine a spirituality of transformation through the cross, using the lens of Franciscan spirituality, and explore the relationship between contemplation and compassion as the deepening of love. The final section will take up a challenging question: Where is Christian life going as the dawn of a new age draws upon us? This Christian adventure in love is an invitation to live a Christian life as the way to proclaim it.

Christian Life: An Adventure in Love

Learn25

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Delio O.S.F., Ilia. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Delio O.S.F., Ilia

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Delio O.S.F., Ilia. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Franciscan Prayer

The Humility of God: A Franciscan Perspective

Clare of Assisi: A Heart Full of Love

Care for Creation: A Franciscan Spirituality of the Earth

The Emergent Christ: Exploring the Meaning of Catholic in an Evolutionary Universe

Compassion: Living in the Spirit of St. Francis

From Teilhard to Omega: Co-Creating an Unfinished Universe

The Humility of God: A Franciscan Perspective

Franciscan Prayer: Awakening to Oneness with God

Christian Life: An Adventure in Love