Book review: The Failed Franciscan

Author Tim O'Brien trained for the Catholic priesthood before becoming a primary school teacher, then a residential social worker and finally a police officer before retiring. In 2024 he published this short 87-page work in celebration of his favourite saint, Francis of Assisi. Franciscan spirituality has attracted him since his youth, but with characteristic honesty and humility Tim notes the difficulty of actually living up to Francis's example - hence the title of the book.

The first section summarises the life of St Francis, sets it in historical context and notes its influence on other influential historical figures including Pope Francis. Tim presents St Francis's rejection of the warlike, status-hungry, materialistic culture of the ruling elites of 13th century Europe as a failure to meet the expectations of his own father and the society of the time. He failed in his attempts to be a successful knight in shining armour, not because of cowardice but because of illness and then disillusionment. He failed to become a successful merchant after the example of his grasping father because he was too generous to the poor and outcast. He then misunderstood God's call to rebuild the Church by taking it very literally and actually rebuilding three local churches.

Having spent much of my time at university immersed in the world of St Francis of Assisi, who is my great hero too (second only to Jesus himself) I was enraptured by this interpretation of his life. Having myself failed to become a priest, failed repeatedly to hold down uncongenial jobs, failed to transform an unjust world order or hold back climate change, and finally burning out completely just short of state retirement age, I was filled with joy to read this interpretation of my favourite saint as a failure - or, rather, this presentation of his failure to measure up to unreasonable and ungodly expectations as a success when judged from the bottom-up approach of the Gospel of Christ.

In part two, Tim explains his own experience of being drawn to the example of St Francis and his encounters with others inspired by the same saint. In part three, 'The Franciscan Spirit', he notes that the characteristics of Francis's way of living out the Gospel can provide a useful template for anyone trying to be a Christian human being. They include community, simplicity, humour, humility, joy, peace in relationships, seeing mundane work as spiritual, appreciating all creation, and being devoted to prayer.

It was precisely by starting with a small, specific practical project - rebuilding the church of San Damiano - that Francis began to fulfil what Christ was surely asking of him, which was to renew the whole Church. From this small beginning, Francis's influence spread rapidly throughout Western Europe and transformed not just the Church but western society as a whole. The lesson, says Tim, is that we just need to get started. And he suggests what Franciscan-inspired action might involve, whatever our condition of life - embracing the outcast, solidarity with the poor, joy, laughter, humour, silence, prayer, and a balance of community and solitude. Our attempts to live up to St Francis's example will undoubtedly fail - but the attempt is always worthwhile.

I read this book in one sitting (with one tea-break). It had the freshness of a new beginning for me - a sudden, unexpected joy, an inspiration, a surge of hope. In this Franciscan Jubilee Year, may it do the same for you.

The Failed Franciscan - trying to weave Franciscan Spirituality into everyday life...and not always succeeding! By TC O'Brien, published privately with profits to CAFOD, Paperback, 87 pages, £4.99, Published 2024.