This is the story of a small group of secular Franciscans on pilgrimage in Franciscan Italy led by the hermit Peter Calvay. He shows how the essence of Christian Spirituality deformed by heresies is restored by Francis. Then he explains how The Primacy of Love is the key to understanding Franciscan spirituality and how it is the starting point for St Bonaventure's spirituality and John Duns Scotus' ' Mystical Theology’. This profound theology is detailed with consummate clarity and made practical in the lives of two of the pilgrims who commit themselves to each other for life. The conclusions about the Primacy of Love are absolutely revolutionary and will force the reader to rethink the very essence and meaning of the Easter Mystery.  

 Reviews and Endorsements:-  

It was an unforgettable experience to read this book and to re-visit Franciscan Italy under the spiritual guidance of Peter Calvay, that fascinating and profound character I had first met many years ago in David Torkington’s trilogy on prayer. With his deep insight Peter has led me with a steady hand through those places where Francis planted the seeds of that mysticism which, after eight centuries, is still capable of drawing those who thirst for simplicity, joy and peace Fr. Mario Conte, OFM Conv. Editor of Messenger of Saint Anthony, Padua.

This book is a compelling read. It has an infectious energy that impels the reader to keep turning the pages to its riveting conclusion. In well over fifty years I have never read a better book on the sublime spirituality of St Francis. Andrew McMahon OFM MA MBE

In addition to everything else it gives brilliant historical sweeps that first summarise perfectly the essence of Christian Spiritually showing how it was distorted by heresy and then how it was restored by Francis. Sister Bernardino OSF B.Sc 

The author is to be congratulated. This is a fine book that will be a valuable addition to the large Franciscan library. It portrays well and accurately, the principal elements of Franciscan spirituality.  I find the style simple and easy to read. It flows.  It presents very well the essence of Franciscan prayer.   Fr Quentin Jackson OFM PhD emeritus professor and Provincial of the English province

I found the book echoes so much of our Franciscan spirit. The aspect that was particularly excellent was the succinct synopsis of the teaching of Scotus and the way he views theology in the light of the Primacy of Love. That is beautifully done. The setting is that of a journey towards a loving relationship paralleling the underlying story of Francis that re-echo throughout its pages. Fr Thomas More OFM cap Oxford emeritus Provincial of the Capuchin Order.

The book begins with what is simply the best life of St Francis that I have every read. The rest of the book is a profound commentary on that life which details the sublime Gospel spirituality that is the heart and soul of the Franciscan message to the world. The dramatic revelation that St Francis received on La Verna, moments before he received the Stigmata, completely reverses a traditional but erroneous understanding of Christian spirituality. Its consequence can liberate us from centuries of misunderstanding, by the truth, the real truth for which Jesus actually gave his life. Emilia Tyler former President of the Florentine Third Order of St Francis.