How to Read Spiritual Classics:
“The Wolf of Gubbio”
 
Stephen King, OFM Conv.
 
 
Christianity has produced countless classic spiritual texts over the course of two millennia. In this workshop we will consider how to read classic Christian spirituality texts not only for information, but for transformation. During the morning session we will consider exactly what is a “classic” text, and how to approach such texts. While these texts can speak to us about history, our interest is in how these texts can be transformative of one’s spirituality. In the afternoon session we will apply the approaches we considered in the morning to one of the most famous, and arguably the most abused, story from the life of Saint Francis: the “Wolf of Gubbio.” Here, we will do a very close reading of this fascinating text, focusing on how this text can be transformative of one’s spirituality.
 
 
Schedule:
 
10 am – 11:30 am       Morning Session: “Reading for Transformation”
 
12 pm                          Break for Mass, for those who want to attend, and lunch.
 
1:30 pm – 3 pm           Afternoon Session: “Close Reading for Transformation: ‘The Wolf of Gubbio’”
 
 
The text for the “Wolf of Gubbio” story will be provided.