Recent biographers of St. Francis have had varying opinions about the leprosy hypothesis, but none have come up with viable challenges or alternatives.
In this new and provocative book, Joanne Schatzlein, OSF, RN, MA, and Daniel P Sulmasy, MD, PhD have republished an updated version of their original work, and have also surveyed the scholarly opinions about their hypothesis that have surfaced during the past 26 years. While scientifically rigorous and historically thorough, the book is written in an approachable way that makes this theory come alive for a wider public.
This book will appeal to all readers searching for the real St. Francis, by looking closely at his embrace of lepers as a way to embrace the Suffering Christ, who as St. Bonaventure reminds us, was foretold by the prophet Isaiah to come among us as a leper Himself.
