The Story of Saint Francis of Assisi
Christian Cross Publishing invites you on a powerful journey into the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, written and researched by Dr. Jose A. Mendez.

Walk the cobbled streets of 12th-century Assisi and witness the transformation of a wealthy young man into one of history’s most beloved saints. Through war, captivity, and a calling from God, Francis’s journey of humility, compassion, and faith continues to inspire hearts across the world.

References for 'The Story of Saint Francis of Assisi'

· Brockman, N. (2010). *Francis of Assisi: A biography.* St. Martin’s Press.

Annotation: Used to provide biographical structure, timelines, and verified details of Francis’s early life, conversion, and founding of the Franciscans.

· Encyclopædia Britannica. (2024). *Saint Francis of Assisi*. In Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Francis-of-Assisi

Annotation: Provided verified facts about key dates, events, canonization, and contextual information about Francis's influence.

· FaithND. (2023). *Saint Francis of Assisi*. University of Notre Dame. https://faith.nd.edu/s/1210/faith/interior.aspx?sid=1210&gid=609&pgid=20681

Annotation: Helped establish the spiritual framing of Francis’s transformation and his radical embrace of poverty.

· National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. (2023). *What we know about the life of St. Francis of Assisi*. https://www.nationalshrine.org/blog/what-we-know-about-the-life-of-st-francis-of-assisi/

Annotation: Used to confirm significant moments in Francis's spiritual journey, including the San Damiano vision and care for lepers.

· Sabatier, P. (1908). *Life of St. Francis of Assisi*. Charles Scribner’s Sons.

Annotation: Provided early scholarly accounts and interpretations, especially regarding the stigmata and Francis’s relationship with Clare of Assisi.

· Peters, E. (2012). *Francis of Assisi: The life and afterlife of a medieval saint.* Yale University Press.

Annotation: A modern academic work used to integrate historical facts with theological interpretations of Francis’s miracles and legacy.

· Uffizi Galleries. (2023). *St. Francis of Assisi: Artistic depictions*. https://www.uffizi.it/en/artworks/francis-ribera-palatina

Annotation: Consulted for descriptions of Francis’s portrayal in art, helping to enrich the narrative’s cultural context.

· Vauchez, A. (2012). *Francis of Assisi: The life and afterlife of a medieval saint* (M. F. Cusato, Trans.). Yale University Press.

Annotation: Used to explore Francis’s enduring influence across religious orders, environmental ethics, and modern papal teachings.

· Wikipedia contributors. (2024). *Francis of Assisi*. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_of_Assisi

Annotation: Referenced for cross-verification of timelines and alignment of lesser-known events within the broader historical context.

· Wikipedia contributors. (2024). *Wolf of Gubbio*. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_of_Gubbio

Annotation: Supported inclusion of the legend of the Wolf of Gubbio, ensuring cultural and narrative accuracy for one of Francis’s most famous miracles.

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The Story of Saint Francis of Assisi
Christian Cross Publishing invites you on a powerful journey into the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, written and researched by Dr. Jose A. Mendez.

Walk the cobbled streets of 12th-century Assisi and witness the transformation of a wealthy young man into one of history’s most beloved saints. Through war, captivity, and a calling from God, Francis’s journey of humility, compassion, and faith continues to inspire hearts across the world.

References for 'The Story of Saint Francis of Assisi'

· Brockman, N. (2010). *Francis of Assisi: A biography.* St. Martin’s Press.

Annotation: Used to provide biographical structure, timelines, and verified details of Francis’s early life, conversion, and founding of the Franciscans.

· Encyclopædia Britannica. (2024). *Saint Francis of Assisi*. In Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Francis-of-Assisi

Annotation: Provided verified facts about key dates, events, canonization, and contextual information about Francis's influence.

· FaithND. (2023). *Saint Francis of Assisi*. University of Notre Dame. https://faith.nd.edu/s/1210/faith/interior.aspx?sid=1210&gid=609&pgid=20681

Annotation: Helped establish the spiritual framing of Francis’s transformation and his radical embrace of poverty.

· National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. (2023). *What we know about the life of St. Francis of Assisi*. https://www.nationalshrine.org/blog/what-we-know-about-the-life-of-st-francis-of-assisi/

Annotation: Used to confirm significant moments in Francis's spiritual journey, including the San Damiano vision and care for lepers.

· Sabatier, P. (1908). *Life of St. Francis of Assisi*. Charles Scribner’s Sons.

Annotation: Provided early scholarly accounts and interpretations, especially regarding the stigmata and Francis’s relationship with Clare of Assisi.

· Peters, E. (2012). *Francis of Assisi: The life and afterlife of a medieval saint.* Yale University Press.

Annotation: A modern academic work used to integrate historical facts with theological interpretations of Francis’s miracles and legacy.

· Uffizi Galleries. (2023). *St. Francis of Assisi: Artistic depictions*. https://www.uffizi.it/en/artworks/francis-ribera-palatina

Annotation: Consulted for descriptions of Francis’s portrayal in art, helping to enrich the narrative’s cultural context.

· Vauchez, A. (2012). *Francis of Assisi: The life and afterlife of a medieval saint* (M. F. Cusato, Trans.). Yale University Press.

Annotation: Used to explore Francis’s enduring influence across religious orders, environmental ethics, and modern papal teachings.

· Wikipedia contributors. (2024). *Francis of Assisi*. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_of_Assisi

Annotation: Referenced for cross-verification of timelines and alignment of lesser-known events within the broader historical context.

· Wikipedia contributors. (2024). *Wolf of Gubbio*. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_of_Gubbio

Annotation: Supported inclusion of the legend of the Wolf of Gubbio, ensuring cultural and narrative accuracy for one of Francis’s most famous miracles.

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The Gospel According to Grandma June – A Podcast Series

Christian Cross Publishing presents a riotous, heartfelt, and soul-stirring journey of faith, family, and the unexpected grace found in life's biggest messes.

Chapter 6: A New Beginning...

A Southern morning unfolds with gospel music, fresh biscuits, and the messy, beautiful magic of family. When Sadie Abernathy returns home, she finds herself caught between old wounds and new beginnings. What starts as an ordinary picnic becomes a day of laughter, forgiveness, and rediscovering the music she thought she’d lost.

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The Gospel According to Grandma June – A Podcast Series

Christian Cross Publishing presents a riotous, heartfelt, and soul-stirring journey of faith, family, and the unexpected grace found in life's biggest messes.

Chapter 5: Unexpected Blessings

In the sun-baked Southern town of Havenwood, June Abernathy is equal parts matriarch, mischief-maker, and miracle worker—a woman whose faith is as fierce as her potato salad. But when a sudden health scare shakes the foundations of her family, the Abernathys are forced to confront old regrets, unspoken truths, and the delicate art of holding on without holding back. With a gospel-loving terrier, a meddling pastor, and a cast of neighbors who never met a secret they couldn’t share, this heartfelt, humorous, and deeply human story unfolds in laughter, prayer, and the quiet grace of simply being together.

A blend of Southern wit, family drama, and tender resilience, Chapter 5: Unexpected Blessings is a warm, character-driven journey that will make you laugh, ache, and maybe call your grandma.

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The Gospel According to Grandma June – A Podcast Series

Christian Cross Publishing presents a riotous, heartfelt, and soul-stirring journey of faith, family, and the unexpected grace found in life's biggest messes.

Chapter 4: Forgiveness and Acceptance

When June drags her reluctant family to a forgotten country church, old wounds crack open—and healing quietly slips in. Between confessions, cookies, and gospel-strength coffee, the Abernathys learn that sometimes grace sounds like laughter and looks like coming home.

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The Gospel According to Grandma June – A Podcast Series

Christian Cross Publishing presents a riotous, heartfelt, and soul-stirring journey of faith, family, and the unexpected grace found in life's biggest messes.

Chapter 3: Facing the Past

In this chapter of The Gospel According to Grandma June, the storm outside is nothing compared to the one brewing inside—until grace shows up, drenched and unexpected. When a family photo album cracks open old wounds, Sadie and Mark are forced to confront the heartbreak and humor of growing up Abernathy. What begins as a cleanup after a Southern potluck turns into a candlelit reckoning, a late-night confession, and a broken father's return.

Chapter Three: “Facing the Past” is a tender, funny, and raw look at what happens when the past refuses to stay boxed up—and what happens when God has a plan.

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The Gospel According to Grandma June – A Podcast Series

Christian Cross Publishing presents a riotous, heartfelt, and soul-stirring journey of faith, family, and the unexpected grace found in life's biggest messes.

Chapter 2 “Lessons in Unconditional Love”

In this heartfelt chapter of The Gospel According to Grandma June, we follow June as she quietly transforms the world around her—one muffin, one prayer, and one act of love at a time. From crazy moments with the neighbors to the rekindling of fractured family bonds, June's compassion becomes a healing force that ripples through her granddaughter's home and community.

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The Gospel According to Grandma June – A Podcast Series

Christian Cross Publishing presents a riotous, heartfelt, and soul-stirring journey of faith, family, and the unexpected grace found in life's biggest messes.

Chapter 1: The Great Megachurch Mishap

June Abernathy wasn’t aiming to go viral—but when her Taurus meets a six-foot Jesus billboard, things get biblical. Join us for Episode 1 as chaos, ceramic cats, and a hymn-happy dog collide in the first chapter of The Gospel According to Grandma June.

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