The Love Letters: Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi Meet Pope Francis

Who is Pope Francis and where is he leading the Church? To understand the impact of Pope Francis and his inspiration to the Catholic Church, indeed people of all religions, we turn to the two saints who are his inspiration, Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi and the great love of their spirituality. Eight hundred years ago when the Church had fallen into scandal and hard times, Saint Francis and Saint Clare lifted the Church to new life, new beginnings. Today the Church suffers the same crises. Today Pope Francis is looking at the heart full spirituality of Saint Francis and Saint Clare to lift the Church with less pomp and ceremony and more embracing the poor and unwanted. The Love Letters is the love story of Francis and Clare and the challenge for Pope Francis and the world to discover the same love in our hearts, our neighbor, nature, and all creation. The Love Letters is historical fiction. What if Saint Francis and Saint Clare were to meet Pope Francis? What would be their thoughts, dreams and hopes for a new Church? The Love Letters is the mystical love discovered by two of the world's greatest mystics long ago asking who is the new Pope Francis? Can he rebuild the Church into a living Church, a church less concerned with rules and order and more about forgiveness and compassion? In the silence of our hearts, in giving to those in need, Saint Francis, Saint Clare, and Pope Francis offer a new vision for us all to become instruments of true peace and joy. Bruce Davis, Ph.D. has pursued the footsteps of Saint Francis and Saint Clare for many years. For twelve years he and his wife, Ruth, lived in Assisi, Italy the historic home of these remarkable saints. There they began the Assisi Retreat Center which was awarded one of the top ten meditation centers in the world by Travel Leisure Magazine and CNN. Recently, Bruce and Ruth opened Silent Stay, a new retreat center near Napa, California. Bruce is the author of several books including Monastery Without Walls, The Magical Child Within You, and Simple Peace-The Spiritual Life of Saint Francis of Assisi.

About the Author :
Bruce Davis, Ph.D. was trained as a psychologist but discovered early that true happiness is not possible without a meaningful spiritual life. Through the years he traveled and lived in many cultures in different parts of the world. But it was in Assisi, Italy, the historic home of Saint Francis and Saint Clare, that he found a peace and inner path which seemed universal in its language and presence. In Assisi, pilgrims from every part of the world, of all religions find a spirituality that speaks of simple peace. After years of bringing groups to Assisi, Bruce and his wife, Ruth, decided to live in Assisi. In the spirit of Saint Francis, they created The Assisi Retreat Center with altars to all the world's major religions. Their center was given an official blessing by Pope John Paul. The Assisi Retreat Center was listed as one of the top ten meditation retreats in the world by Travel and Leisure Magazine. More recently CNN listed the center again as one of the top ten meditation centers in the world. After many years of leading retreats, Bruce found the main ingredients for personal transformation included spending time in silence, nature, and heartfulness meditation. The peace and quiet of silence helps people to discover an inner presence in the heart that is lost by many in our busy world. Ruth has created a movement practice called Sacred Movement Ritual which is prayer through movement. Since creating the Assisi Retreat Center, Bruce and Ruth have started Silent Stay, a retreat center near Napa, California. Bruce is the author of several books including: The Magical Child Within You, The Heart of Healing, Monastery Without Walls, My Little Flowers, The Calling of Joy, and Simple Peace-The Spiritual Life of St. Francis of Assisi. Bruce is also a frequent contributor to the Huffington Post. The Love Letters hopes to support the remarkable events happening with new Pope Francis, the Church, indeed the world, so many can come to know this love including its humility, service, and grace. For more information about Bruce's and Ruth's current activities visit their website at: www.SilentStay.com