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Primary sourceBook1906

The Writings of Saint Francis of Assisi

Paschal Robinson (translator); Francis of Assisi (author) · 1906

An English translation of Francis of Assisi's own writings, including letters and prayers, published in 1906.

An English edition of Francis's own letters and prayers, giving students access to his writings in translation.

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Front cover of a dark brown cloth-bound book. A white paper library label at upper left reads BX 890, .F665, 1906, COPY 2. A faint embossed shield emblem appears at the center of the cover.
Francis of Assisi, The Writings of Saint Francis of Assisi, trans. Paschal Robinson, 1906.

About this source

What it is

This 1906 book, translated by Paschal Robinson, collects the writings of Francis of Assisi in English, including his letters and prayers, with an introduction and bibliography discussing scholarly debate over the texts.

Why it matters

The book brings together Francis's own words for English-speaking readers and shows how scholars, such as Paul Sabatier and Mgr. Faloci Pulignani, debated how much weight to give Francis's writings as historical evidence. It helps students see Francis directly, rather than only through later legends.

Look closer

  • Why might translators and editors disagree about how reliable Francis's writings are as sources?
  • What does the cover and library label tell you about how this book has been used and preserved?
  • How does reading a translation differ from reading Francis's original Italian or Latin words?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Saint Francis on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Manuscript page in Latin with black gothic script and red initial letter M and red-highlighted lines, with handwritten marginal notes on the right. The text includes 'Altissimu onnipotente bon signore' and 'Laudes creaturarum', consistent with the Canticle of the Sun.Book

Primary source

Canticle of the Sun

Francis of Assisi · 1226

Photograph of a small, aged parchment sheet sealed in a metal-framed case. It has faded brown ink text in Latin with red headings, a large hand-drawn red and brown Tau cross with a figure-like sketch, and a few lines of writing at the bottom.Document

Primary source

Chartula fratri Leonis

Francis of Assisi · 1224

Book

Secondary source

First Life of Saint Francis

Thomas of Celano · 1230

Gold-background panel painting in a gabled wooden frame. A standing robed friar with a halo holds a book and raises one hand, flanked by two angels above. Smaller framed scenes in the side panels show his life events in colorful architecture.Painting

Secondary source

Saint Francis of Assisi and Scenes of His Life

Bonaventura Berlinghieri · 1235

Aerial view of the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi on a hilltop, with its pink-toned stone walls, a tall bell tower, and a large sloping retaining wall. A parking area and winding road are below, with green valley and hills in the distance under a cloudy sky.Artifact

Secondary source

Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi

begun 1228

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