Fr. Murray Bodo, OFM, is a Franciscan priest and an award-winning author of numerous books including his bestselling Francis: The Journey and the Dream, Nourishing Love: A Franciscan Celebration of Mary, and, most recently, God’s Love Song: The Vision of Francis and Clare, which he co-authored with Susan Saint Sing. His book Song of the Sparrow: Four Seasons of Prayer will be re-published in August 2024 as we near the book’s 50th anniversary. It will feature a new introduction and several new poems, one of which he reads during this two-part interview. All these books can be purchased in the Franciscan Media store: shop.franciscanmedia.org. Fr. Murray is also founding staff member of Franciscan Pilgrimage Programs, where he led yearly pilgrimages to Assisi, Italy, for over 40 years before retiring in 2020. He has had poems, stories, and articles published in magazines and literary journals in the United States, England, and Ireland. Fr. Murray resides in the inner city Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio, where he continues to write and minister.

Consider donating (https://www.franciscanmedia.org/donate/) to help us create more content like this. With an 800-year legacy steeped in the values of Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi, your Franciscan Media community embraces its mission of spreading the message of love, compassion, and understanding through books, St. Anthony Messenger magazine, Franciscan Media’s website, online events, videos, and daily emails like Saint of the Day.

(00:01:16) The Poet’s Heart

(00:08:10) Green Sparrow in the Bougainvillea

(00:13:18) Paying Attention as Stories Arise

(00:24:38) Prayerful Creativity

(00:40:15) Praying with the Dalai Lama

(00:49:41) Petting Sally

(01:00:03) Conclusion

Fr. Murray Bodo, OFM, is a Franciscan priest and an award-winning author of numerous books including his bestselling Francis: The Journey and the Dream, Nourishing Love: A Franciscan Celebration of Mary, and, most recently, God’s Love Song: The Vision of Francis and Clare, which he co-authored with Susan Saint Sing. His book Song of the Sparrow: Four Seasons of Prayer will be re-published in August 2024 as we near the book’s 50th anniversary. It will feature a new introduction and several new poems, one of which he reads during this two-part interview. All these books can be purchased in the Franciscan Media store: shop.franciscanmedia.org. Fr. Murray is also founding staff member of Franciscan Pilgrimage Programs, where he led yearly pilgrimages to Assisi, Italy, for over 40 years before retiring in 2020. He has had poems, stories, and articles published in magazines and literary journals in the United States, England, and Ireland. Fr. Murray resides in the inner city Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio, where he continues to write and minister.

Consider donating (https://www.franciscanmedia.org/donate/) to help us create more content like this. With an 800-year legacy steeped in the values of Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi, your Franciscan Media community embraces its mission of spreading the message of love, compassion, and understanding through books, St. Anthony Messenger magazine, Franciscan Media’s website, online events, videos, and daily emails like Saint of the Day.

(00:02:04) What is Prayer?

(00:08:46) The Discipline of Prayer

(00:13:24) Behind the Books / Models of Prayer

(00:23:12) Journeys

(00:29:32) Emptiness and Waiting in Prayer

Rev. Dr. Bruce G. Epperly served as a congregational pastor, university chaplain, professor, and seminary administrator for over forty years. He is the author of more than seventy books including Walking with Francis of Assisi, Simplicity, Spirituality, Service, and his new book Head, Heart, and Hands: An Introduction to Saint Bonaventure. He lives in Potomac, Maryland, with his wife Rev. Dr. Katherine Gould Epperly, where he continues to teach, write, and pastor in his retirement, and daily cares for his grandchildren. He is published widely throughout Franciscan Media.

Consider donating to help us create more content like this. With an 800-year legacy steeped in the values of Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi, your Franciscan Media community embraces its mission of spreading the message of love, compassion, and understanding through books, St. Anthony Messenger magazine, Franciscan Media’s website, online events, videos, and daily emails like Saint of the Day.

(0:00) Introduction

(1:35) What is theology?

(6:46) Importance of good theology

(10:36) Bonaventure's integrative theology

(19:37) Bonaventure's fountain metaphor

(25:44) Where is the flow taking us?

(30:14) A fountain that is not zero-sum

(35:32) Why write this book?

(43:24) God's center and circumference

(46:59) Why Bonaventure is a theologian for our time

(59:28) Conclusion