Deacon Bruce Turner

A REVIEW OF GERARD THOMAS STRAUB’S THE LONELINESS AND LONGING OF SAINT FRANCIS Initially, I was reluctant to read this book because I was concerned that it might really be a self-serving tome written by someone who really wanted to praise himself and use the charismatic name of St Francis to achieve this goal. The back cover of my paperback focused heavily on the author’s story and the raving reviews on the inside of the first pages of the book seemed to reinforce my doubts. As a deaconate student in my last semester prior to ordination, I decided that I would give the author the benefit of the doubt and proceed to read his work. All of us need to be given a chance. I was truly pleased that I did. I found many spiritual well stated thoughts and answers inside the text. I was correct that the author was to write about his own experiences and understanding of the core reasons for the deep life of love that Francis had for God and creation. Indeed, the majority of his writing did in fact focus on St Francis. Straub did provide periodic personal insights that served to enrichen my understanding of St Francis but didn’t divert from the Saints’ important messages. As I completed reading the book, I realized that the author wasn’t just writing about St Francis and incidentally himself, but his book was also writing about Jesus Christ, St Francis, Straub, and by its inspiration, was opening the door to include myself and other readers. The book is concerned with journeys; Christs’ sojourn on earth, Francis’ challenges to follow in Christs’ footsteps, Staub’s attempts to travel with Francis, and our invitation to join with these guides in search for God’s kingdom. I am impressed by his thoroughness, his depth of spiritual understanding, and breadth of clarity in his presentation. I wholly and without reservation recommend this book to all who are on their own spiritual journey.