Abstract

It is generally understood that the spirituality of Francis of Assisi is a life-long journey of religious conversion, which begins with an experience of God's love and proceeds through an ongoing commitment to living each day authentically in accordance with gospel values. Through a deliberate and explicit use of Lonergan's transcendental method for enabling theology that is sound and meaningful, this study endeavors to receive the poverello 's own authentic communication of his spirituality by appreciating the historic context in which his messages were conceived, crafted and conveyed. Moreover, it indicates the merit of using this same carefully honed methodological approach to communicate Francis' numerous religious insights to our own contemporary culture in a manner that is both relevant and compelling.