You DON'T Know the REAL St. Francis: The Radical Stigmatist of Assisi | Bret Thoman, OFS

Revolutionary. Renegade. Radical. The REAL St. Francis of Assisi has been lost to modern interpretations of his role as the patron saint of animals and ecology. But the truth is far less warm and fuzzy.Author and Franciscan scholar Bret Thoman joins The Conor Gallagher Show for an in-depth journey into the life, legacy, and misunderstood message of St. Francis of Assisi. From his radical embrace of poverty to his encounters with lepers, from the wars of Assisi to his meeting with the Sultan, Bret uncovers the true Francis—stripped of modern distortions and political spin.Use code BRET30 to get 30% off Bret's TAN Books:The Life of St. Francis: A Compendium of Early Legends https://bit.ly/4ooK0aaSt. Francis of Assisi: Passion, Poverty & the Man Who Transformed the Catholic Church https://bit.ly/45qyHFSSaint Clare of Assisi: Light From the Cloister https://bit.ly/4fwxTnoIn this episode we cover:-Bret’s personal faith journey and call to the Secular Franciscan Order-The meaning and history of the Franciscan Tau as a sign of penance and conversion-St. Francis’s pivotal moments: God’s question, the leper’s embrace, and deep prayer life-The hagiographies, early companions, and crypt of St. Francis in Assisi-The founding of the first mendicant order and how it changed Church history-How the Left has weaponized and sanitized Francis’s message-Scholarly debates on his stigmata, poverty, and mission to the Sultan-The flourishing and fading branches of the Franciscan order today-What it really means to be “minor” in the Franciscan senseWhether you’re Catholic, a history lover, or simply curious about one of Christianity’s most beloved saints, this conversation will challenge what you thought you knew about St. Francis of Assisi—and inspire you to live with more humility, simplicity, and love for Christ.CHAPTERS00:01 Trailer03:58 Misunderstandings of Saint Francis09:13 Journey to Italy and Spiritual Awakening13:48 Relics and Their Significance17:10 Exploring Other Sacred Sites21:40 Francis's Journey of Transformation26:36 Francis's Imprisonment and Its Aftermath30:29 The Moment of Reflection and Obedience36:10 Meditation on the Paschal Mystery40:50 The Hagiography of Saint Francis45:51 The Growth of the Franciscan Order50:07 Radical Movements within the Franciscan Order56:03 Researching the Life of Saint Francis59:33 Keynote Speaker and Social Issues1:03:16 The Core Principles of Franciscanism1:09:20 Paul Sabatier's Influence on Franciscan Studies1:14:12 Historical Accounts of the Crusaders1:17:54 Challenges of Growth in the Franciscan Order1:21:09 The Evolution of Franciscan Life1:24:24 Modern Challenges for Franciscans1:27:50 The Significance of Pope Francis1:32:02 The Atmosphere in Saint Peter's Square1:37:06 Reflections on an American Pope1:40:30 Historical Context of Pope Leo XIV1:44:36 The Role of Rerum Novarum in Modern Society1:48:48 The Evolution of Religious Orders1:52:58 Daily Spiritual Practices and Devotion1:56:31 Healing Through Prayer and Scripture1:59:52 Francis' Hermitages and Spiritual Practices2:03:52 Francis vs. Administrative Roles2:09:54 Saints and Their Perception of Sin2:14:21 Temptations of Faith2:19:27 Formation and Discernment Process2:24:32 Becoming a Candidate2:28:46 Understanding the Gospel2:32:39 The Lesser Way of Francis