Chasing Francis
A Pilgrim's Tale
- Fiction
- Publisher: Zondervan
- Published: 2026
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Publisher's Description
A Pilgrimage of Faith, Doubt, and Rediscovery In Chasing Francis, bestselling author Ian Morgan Cron's modern and penetrating novel, the timeless wisdom of Saint Francis of Assisi is blended with the very real struggles of a modern-day pastor. When faced with the tragic death of a young girl in his congregation, pastor Chase Falson finds his faith unraveling. Questions about God, suffering, and his purpose consume him, but Chase is afraid to confide in anyone. When his doubts spill out in a moment of vulnerability in front of his entire church, Chase is left humiliated and cast out. Desperate for clarity, Chase accepts an invitation from his uncle Kenny, a Franciscan priest in Italy. What begins as an escape becomes a transformative pilgrimage as Chase retraces the footsteps of Saint Francis of Assisi--a man whose radical love for Jesus changed the history of the world. Immersed in the beauty of Italy and the wisdom of Franciscan spirituality, Chase begins to confront his doubts, rediscover his faith, and reimagine what it means to follow Jesus. Chasing Francis is a story of risk and renewal as Chase dares to leave behind his job, reputation, and certainty to uncover a raw, authentic faith. Through animated storytelling, Ian Morgan Cron invites you through history and the winding landscape of Italy to the sacred places where God has made himself known, inviting you to wrestle with your own faith, doubts, and pursuit of a deeper connection with God--and discover God's presence and purpose for you, found sometimes in the unlikeliest of places. This updated edition includes a newly revised study guide.
Endorsements (6)
“*Caution! Reading this book may cause spontaneous kindness, charity toward others, and a total overhaul of the way you think about what it means to be a follower of Christ.”
“I’ve now read Chasing Francis twice and found it equally compelling both times. It’s challenging, disarming, and delightful, and the vision behind it is a serious one. It’s a remarkable book.”
Dr. Rowan Williams
“Chasing Francis is a wonderful story of pilgrimage and redemption, and Ian Cron’s storytelling is so rich, bursting with details and insights, full of wisdom and warmth.”
“It’s been said that God occasionally drops a handkerchief down to earth to leave God’s scent in the world—and that those handkerchiefs are the saints. Ian Cron has picked up the handkerchief of this legendary figure, Francis of Assisi. There are tons of books about Francis that are historical and informative; in fact, it’s been said more books have been written about Francis than any person in history other than Jesus. But this one’s different, told through the life of a fictitious man named Chase. Dive in and allow God’s fragrance to come off these pages and get on you. And then be the fragrance of God in the world like Francis was.”
“It seems the world never gets tired of seeking, discovering, writing about, and falling in love with Francis of Assisi. Ian Cron does it again, but with real insight, imagination, and courage. Join in the chase!”
Fr. Richard Rohr
“faith, Ian Cron paves for us a path of grace, humility, and ultimate joy, even through our “ground zero” darkness. This is a life-changing work. I now find myself “chasing Francis” in my life as well as in my art.”
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