NEW YORK — Provincial Vicar Dominic Monti, OFM, greeted interested readers at a book signing here on April 14. It was the first of several such opportunities that Dominic has to talk with purchasers of his recently-published history of the Franciscans.
Despite little prior publicity, the event was well attended. According to Alan Thomas, OFM, “people flocked over” to the parish house at St. Francis of Assisi Church on West 31st Street to buy Francis and His Brothers, a book Dominic wrote to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the Order of Friars Minor. The book signing was announced at the end of Mass and at Dominic’s adult education class.
Dominic, a widely-respected Franciscan history scholar, chatted with attendees about Christian history between signings.
The book, published by St. Anthony Messenger Press in January, has been very popular at St. Francis of Assisi’s bookstore, said Alan, who manages the store. After several smaller orders of the book, its popularity finally prompted him to order an entire case. More than 25 books from that case were signed and purchased Tuesday.
Dominic had a chance to tell more people about his book when he was interviewed on April 16 by Relevant Radio, a network of radio stations based in Wisconsin, that tries to “bridge the gap between faith and everyday life.” His 30-minute interview aired on the Morning Air, a program that is heard on 30 stations throughout the United States.
As a result of the positive turnout, St. Francis of Assisi Parish has two more book-signing opportunities in the works. The first will be April 25 during the Franciscan Family Study Day; the next Tuesday signing will be May 12.
Copies of Dominic’s book were also made available for purchase at the April 18 conference at the Franciscan Institute at St. Bonaventure University in Allegany, N.Y., that commemorated the Order’s milestone. (Details on this event will appear in a future issue of HNP Today.)
As Dominic travels to various events in the coming months, Francis and His Brothers will be displayed for purchase; in some instances, he will be again signing copies for purchasers. The upcoming events on Dominic’s schedule include:
• Washington Theological Union’s commencement on May 1
• Immaculate Conception Province’s retreat in Wappingers Falls, N.Y., May 4 through 7
• Holy Name Province’s ordination at St. Francis of Assisi Church on May 16
Francis and His Brothers tells the story of Francis of Assisi and his followers from early days to current times, with an emphasis on the English-speaking world.