ALLEGANY, N.Y. — Michael Blastic, OFM, of the Washington Theological Union, has co-edited a book series called the Studies in Early Franciscan Sources.
Michael is one of three editors of the series, published by Franciscan Institute Publications at St. Bonaventure University. The series includes three titles: The Writings of Francis — Letters and Prayers, The Writings of Francis — Rules, Testament and Admonitions, and The Writings of Clare — Letters, Form of Life, Testament and Blessing.
Michael, who worked at SBU’s Franciscan Institute, and is considered one of the world’s top scholars in medieval Franciscan studies, collaborated with two other editors, Jay Hammond and Fr. Wayne Hellmann, OFM Conv. In addition to their own commentaries, they have assembled an impressive list of commentaries on the early documents of Francis and Clare.
Lawrence Cunningham, the John A. O’Brien professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame, described these volumes as “rich resources of understanding Francis and Clare.”
Michael, a Chicago-area native, served on the faculty of the WTU from 1988 to 1996 and worked at the Franciscan Institute from 1996 to 2010. In summer 2010, he returned to the WTU as director of the Franciscan Center. His major areas of research, teaching and publication include early Franciscan texts, the early Franciscan theological tradition, and the writings of Franciscan women between the 13th and 16th centuries.
The books are being published simultaneously as hardcover and trade paper editions. They can be ordered from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or the Franciscan Institute (716-375-2062).
— Wendy Healy, author of Life is Too Short: Stories of Transformation and Renewal after 9/11, is a frequent contributor to HNP Today.