Faith Feeds Book Club | Experiencing God by Jon Sweeney

Experiencing God

36 Ways According to Saint Francis of Assisi

A Conversation with author Jon Sweeney


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In thisÌýFaith Feeds Book ClubÌýconversation on Jon Sweeney'sÌýÌýparticipants met the author who shared stories about the life of St. Francis and his own experiences of St. Francis's spirituality.

Jon Sweeney holding his book, "Experiencing God: 36 Ways According to Saint Francis of Assisi"

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More about Experiencing God

Replicable experiences of God according to Francis of Assisi, offered on the 800th anniversary of his death.

Never have we needed more to experience God—toÌýfeelÌýGod. Francis of Assisi was spiritual before anyone used that word, and he was religious in the best ways. We love him because he cut through the paraphernalia to get back to religion where it belongs: working in the human heart, making a difference in everyday life.

Anyone can do the things Francis did, summarized in these 36 ways of experiencing God. Examples offered through anecdote, text, and explanation include:

-ÌýFree captive creatures

- Pray alone in the woods

-ÌýAllow yourself to weep

-ÌýStand between those who fight

-ÌýMake a cross with your arms

-ÌýPray Who are you, God? And who am I?

Sweeney introduces each with faithful attention to the original sources and comparisons to spiritual teachers from other traditions, including Thich Nhat Hanh, Roshi Bernie Glassman, Evelyn Underhill, Richard Rohr, and Mary Oliver.

Meet the author

Jon M. Sweeney | Author

Jon M. Sweeney | Author

Jon M. Sweeney is an independent scholar and award-winning author. His books have been translated into many languages.

He's a popular interpreter of the life and work of Francis of Assisi, and author of more than 40 books includingÌýSt. Francis of AssisiÌýwith a foreword by Richard Rohr, andÌýThe Complete Francis of AssisiÌýused by Third Order Franciscans. HBO optioned the film rights to Sweeney's book on the medieval Pope Celestine V,ÌýThe Pope Who Quit.

Jon's been interviewed on CBS News, WGN-TV, Fox News, and CBS Saturday Morning, and by publications online from CNN to Romper. He's a practicing Catholic who also prays regularly with his wife, a congregational rabbi. He loves the church, the synagogue, and other aspects of organized religion. He would never say he's "spiritual but not religious." He is the father of four, three of whom are grown and moved on, and lives in Middlebury, Vermont. In addition to writing, teaching, and giving retreats, Sweeney is editor at Monkfish Book Publishing, editor ofÌýLiving CityÌýmagazine, and contributing editor for books at .

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