“Tempus fugit.” Time flies. This quotation from Virgil, found on old clocks, is true to human experience. Wasn’t it just yesterday when I was preparing for ordination? Wasn’t that when I read the first edition of Francis: The Journey and the Dream by Murray Bodo? I received a copy of the beautifully bound 40th anniversary edition a couple days ago and my thought turned to that old truism—time flies. For 40 years packing a Bible and The Journey and the Dream have been as much a part of my preparation for retreat as packing my clothing, toothbrush and razor.
I recall the first time I made a Franciscan directed retreat. I was teaching in the Philippines at that time. Each day of the retreat, after each conference, the retreat director selected a specific chapter of Francis: The Journey and the Dream for my personal reflection. I was amazed by how the retreat master pinpointed issues facing me simply because the assigned reading touched my heart and soul.
Francis: The Journey and the Dream is a spiritual classic. It has been published in many languages over the last 40 years. Francis: The Journey and the Dream always leads me to reflect on St. Francis, my life as a Franciscan, my confreres, my family, my friends. It helps me imagine a rebirth of the church and of the world, at a time when so much requires reforming.
Never has Francis: The Journey and the Dream had the beautiful hardcover, sewn binding of this anniversary edition. I believe this book deserves to be in this durable format. Why? Well, because it leads me to reflect on St. Francis, on my life as a Franciscan friar, my family and friends. It also helps me imagine my own spiritual rebirth and the rebirth of the Church in a time when so much needs reforming. I know that this book makes a similar impact on others. Just read the foreward by John Michael Talbot for a personal testimony.
Dan Kroger, O.F.M., is a native of Cincinnati, joined the Franciscans in 1967 and was ordained in 1973. He taught high school and served in rural parishes in the Philippines. Dan earned a Ph.D. in Christian Ethics at Notre Dame. He also taught at De La Salle University, Manila, until he was assigned to his present post as publisher/ceo at St. Anthony Messenger Press in 2006. blog comments powered by 