Br. William Short, O.F.M, S.T.L., S.T.D., is Professor of Christian Spirituality at the Franciscan School of Theology in Oceanside, California, where he has also served as President and Academic Dean. He was previously Professor of Christian Spirituality at the Graduate Theological Union and Director of the St. Francis Retreat Center in California. A Franciscan friar, he received a B.A. from the University of San Francisco, an M.A. in Philosophical and Systematic Theology, and the S.T.L. and S.T.D. degrees from the Gregorian University in Rome. In July of 2014, Br. Short received the 25th Franciscan Institute Medal.
Br. Short has dedicated his scholarly work to a retrieval of the Franciscan tradition of spirituality and theology. He is co-editor of the three-volume series of English translations of all the documents written by St. Francis of Assisi and his earliest biographers, Francis of Assisi: Early Documents. He has published works on the history of the Franciscan movement and its spirituality.
*Speaker Photo by Scott Anger
Praise for Bill Short
“Bill Short brings a lifetime of scholarly work combined with a lifetime of applying the principles of the Franciscan Rule of Life to his daily existence. Thus, [his presentations are] shot through with the wit and wisdom.”
– Margaret Carney, OSF, President Emerita, St. Bonaventure University
“Bill Short is one of the most prolific and knowledgeable scholars of the entire Franciscan tradition as evidenced by his previous lecture series, articles, and books on the Franciscan movement. As those living in the Middle Ages would say, to listen to Bill is to sit at the feet of a Master.”
– Fr. Steven J. McMichael, OFM Conv., University of Saint Thomas
“Brother Bill Short has dedicated his Franciscan life to make accessible the rich spiritual resources of the early Franciscan tradition. Through his sharp translation skills, insight, and heartfelt humor, Francis of Assisi speaks to us again today.”
– J. A. Wayne Hellmann OFM Conv.
Fr Norbert Pittorino, ofm Sydney, NSW, Australia –
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The set of talks showed some wonderful insights into the writings of St Francis of Assisi and applications to our lives.
Diane Gray, TSSF, Birmingham, Al U.S.A –
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This course gives a comprehensive overview of Franciscan spirituality. Br. Bill Short is a fine lecturer who presents the material in an organized and clear way, easy for a listener to follow and understand. I look forward to listening to these lectures again and again.
Sister Patricia Froning, OSF, Tiffin, OH –
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The course is excellent. The speaker is excellent. I find that Francis of Assisi invites me to a life in Christ that most resembles the life of Jesus in the Gospel. I was disappointed with the quality of one of the discs that slipped each time we tried to use it. This happened on another disc on the second set we got.
Andrew Reitz, OFM, New York, NY –
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Speaker was clear and interesting presenter. The content was inspiring.
Benny Chang, Sugar Land, Texas, USA –
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By telling the story of St. Francis with historical context and survey, this course gave me great enlightenment of who Francis of Assisi was and invited me as a listener to follow his steps to be a true disciple of Christ.
Anonymous –
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The scholarship is excellent and the organization of the material is enlightening. A good all around experience with insight.
Sr. Patricia –
Br. Bill Short is a great story teller!
Br. Bill Short is a great story teller adding humor and points of interest not heard elsewhere. This was a very comprehensive overview of the begining of Franciscans.
Sr. Anne –
It brings a spirit of pray to especially long trips.
I listened to A New Way of Being Christian while driving in my car. The time went fast and I was inspired. I’ve listened to the set several times. It brings a spirit of pray to especially long trips.
Sr. Patricia –
Wonderful
Wonderful deepening of appreciation for the spirituality Francis of Assisi lived and models for us today!
Patrick –
Solid core
Br. Short bases his presentations on the subject’s own writings and the writings and testimonies of the most trustworthy witnesses. His own opinions remain very close to this solid core.
Benny –
Inspires me
In “St. Francis of Assisi – a New Way of Being Christian,” Br. William Short gave a very thorough and progressive narrative of the life of St. Francis including the cultur[al] context and the historical background. The real stories and hagiographies were compared in some cases to help the listeners know what may be true about Francis as a real human and a saint. Listening to it many time helps me know St. Francis better and inspires me to follow his steps with great joy and purpose.
Deacon Benny C., TX –
Winter Survey: January 2017
This audio course helped me know more about St. Francis not only about how he had lived, but also about the historical background of his time. It is really helpful to understand why and how he responded to God’s call. And it challenges me to be sensitive to God’s call for me and the courage to respond.
Anonymous –
Summer Survey: July 2017
Fr. William Short, OFM was excellent at pointing out elements of Francis’ spirituality.
Deacon Benny C., TX –
2017 Christmas Survey
I never knew St. Francis fully until after listening to this course. It is well arranged and very well articulated. After listening to it, I have a new desire to visit Assisi and to really learn from this saint.
Michael A. R., GA –
2018 Summer Survey
St. Francis course opened my eyes to the story of Francis and his companions.