Book Marks: New releases on Saint Francis, Pope Francis, and digital missionaries

October brings crisper days. Here are our October picks for interesting new book releases. So wrap yourself up in a blanket, grab a cup of tea, and go sit on the porch to read them.

October 2014

Lead with Humility: 12 Leadership Lessons from Pope Francis

By Jeffrey A. Krames

In less than two years, Pope Francis has reinvigorated the Catholic Church through his enthusiasm and leadership skills. Krames tackles 12 tips that modern business leaders can learn from the pope’s example. Lead with Humility (AMACOM, 2014) primarily focuses on the Francis’ power of humility. His compassion and authenticity with those he works are great skills for an effective leader.
 

The Loneliness and Longing of Saint Francis: A Hollywood Filmmaker, A Medieval Saint, and a Life-Changing Spirituality for Today

By Gerard Thomas Straub

Gerard Straub had no idea what a profound conversion he would experience when he found himself alone in a Franciscan church in Assisi, Italy. As a successful filmmaker in Hollywood, his modern-day pilgrimage threw him into a life of following St. Francis of Assisi. The Loneliness and Longing of Saint Francis (Twenty-Third Publications, 2014) is an inspiring journey to encourage us to help those in need and to love one another.
 

When Saint Francis Saved the Church: How a Converted Medieval Troubadour Created a Spiritual Vision for the Ages

By Jon M. Sweeney

St. Francis of Assisi’s unconventional focus on poverty, friendship, and care for God’s creation made him one of the most iconic religious figures in church history. Jon Sweeney’s When Saint Francis Saved the Church (Ave Maria Press, 2014) speaks historically to debunk myths and to share stories of how this unpredictable visionary changed the Catholic Church and Christianity forever.
 

Rekindling the Christic Imagination: Theological Meditations for the New Evangelization

By Robert P. Imbelli

With the Second Vatican Council came the desire to bring the gospel’s message into the contemporary world. However the slow decline of a Christocentric vision has made the church become increasingly polarized. Robert Imbelli’s Rekindling the Christic Imagination (Liturgical Press, 2014) hopes to spark the original ideas by drawing on the writings of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and the witness of Pope Francis.
 

Transforming Parish Communications: Growing the Church Through New Media

By Scot Landry

A critical part of taking faith into the streets is communication. Scot Landry’s book Transforming Parish Communications (Our Sunday Visitor, 2014) is an easy-to-use guide that gives helpful tips and practical strategies for parish employees and everyday Catholics to spread the gospel. Landry’s approach allows for a more comfortable mode of sharing personal faith stories and a faster spreading of ideas and missions.

Illustration by Angela Cox