Revolutionary. Renegade. Radical. The REAL St. Francis of Assisi has been lost to modern interpretations of his role as the patron saint of animals and ecology. But the truth is far less warm and fuzzy.

Author and Franciscan scholar Bret Thoman joins The Conor Gallagher Show for an in-depth journey into the life, legacy, and misunderstood message of St. Francis of Assisi. From his radical embrace of poverty to his encounters with lepers, from the wars of Assisi to his meeting with the Sultan, Bret uncovers the true Francis—stripped of modern distortions and political spin.

Use code BRET30 to get 30% off Bret's TAN Books:

The Life of St. Francis: A Compendium of Early Legends https://bit.ly/4ooK0aa

St. Francis of Assisi: Passion, Poverty & the Man Who Transformed the Catholic Church https://bit.ly/45qyHFS

Saint Clare of Assisi: Light From the Cloister https://bit.ly/4fwxTno

In this episode we cover:

-Bret’s personal faith journey and call to the Secular Franciscan Order

-The meaning and history of the Franciscan Tau as a sign of penance and conversion

-St. Francis’s pivotal moments: God’s question, the leper’s embrace, and deep prayer life

-The hagiographies, early companions, and crypt of St. Francis in Assisi

-The founding of the first mendicant order and how it changed Church history

-How the Left has weaponized and sanitized Francis’s message

-Scholarly debates on his stigmata, poverty, and mission to the Sultan

-The flourishing and fading branches of the Franciscan order today

-What it really means to be “minor” in the Franciscan sense

Whether you’re Catholic, a history lover, or simply curious about one of Christianity’s most beloved saints, this conversation will challenge what you thought you knew about St. Francis of Assisi—and inspire you to live with more humility, simplicity, and love for Christ.

CHAPTERS

00:01 Trailer

03:58 Misunderstandings of Saint Francis

09:13 Journey to Italy and Spiritual Awakening

13:48 Relics and Their Significance

17:10 Exploring Other Sacred Sites

21:40 Francis's Journey of Transformation

26:36 Francis's Imprisonment and Its Aftermath

30:29 The Moment of Reflection and Obedience

36:10 Meditation on the Paschal Mystery

40:50 The Hagiography of Saint Francis

45:51 The Growth of the Franciscan Order

50:07 Radical Movements within the Franciscan Order

56:03 Researching the Life of Saint Francis

59:33 Keynote Speaker and Social Issues

1:03:16 The Core Principles of Franciscanism

1:09:20 Paul Sabatier's Influence on Franciscan Studies

1:14:12 Historical Accounts of the Crusaders

1:17:54 Challenges of Growth in the Franciscan Order

1:21:09 The Evolution of Franciscan Life

1:24:24 Modern Challenges for Franciscans

1:27:50 The Significance of Pope Francis

1:32:02 The Atmosphere in Saint Peter's Square

1:37:06 Reflections on an American Pope

1:40:30 Historical Context of Pope Leo XIV

1:44:36 The Role of Rerum Novarum in Modern Society

1:48:48 The Evolution of Religious Orders

1:52:58 Daily Spiritual Practices and Devotion

1:56:31 Healing Through Prayer and Scripture

1:59:52 Francis' Hermitages and Spiritual Practices

2:03:52 Francis vs. Administrative Roles

2:09:54 Saints and Their Perception of Sin

2:14:21 Temptations of Faith

2:19:27 Formation and Discernment Process

2:24:32 Becoming a Candidate

2:28:46 Understanding the Gospel

2:32:39 The Lesser Way of Francis