Village Lyceum reading of Michael Riccards play, “The Poor Man of Assisi,” Sunday, May 21 at Davis Memorial, Petersham, MA

Village Lyceum reading of Michael Riccards play, “The Poor Man of Assisi,” Sunday, May 21 at Davis Memorial, Petersham, MA

The Village Lyceum is inviting audience participation in a reading of Dr. Michael Riccard's original drama, "The Poor Man of Assisi," to be held in the Davis Memorial building, in back of the Petersham Unitarian Church on Sunday, May 21 at 2:00 pm. A discussion will follow the reading. Dr. Riccards is a past president of Fitchburg State College and author of "Lincoln: The Musical" which was performed at the Orange Town Hall as part of the Quabbin Civil War Remembrance in 2012 with Genevieve Fraser directing.

According to the playwright, "This play predates the pope's use of the name and describes one of the most popular Catholic and Protestant saints in history. Francis, the son of a wealthy merchant, was a soldier and troubadour who came home from captivity after fighting for Assisi and heard God tell him to fix his church. He thought God meant a local rundown church, but it was a call to fix the Roman Church," Riccards explained.

"His gospel was one of poverty, chastity and Christ's admonitions. His rule was too strict for some but after generations had passed was respected throughout western Europe. On one occasion, he avoided the commitment of the Crusades and sought to go to visit the Mohammedans and convert them to Christianity. He was not successful but won the respect of leaders of Islam," Riccards said. Saint Francis died young and was quickly canonized. He is frequently seen as the patron saint of the environment, of animals and of the poor and needy.

For further information, contact Genevieve Fraser at FraserGenevieve@gmail.com or Telephone (978) 544-1872.

PHOTO: Dr. Michael Riccards, as seen in a televised interview by the Hall Institute of Public Policy on great presidents, is the author of the play, "The Poor Man of Assisi," to be read in the Davis Memorial building, in back of the Petersham Unitarian Church on Sunday, May 21 at 2:00 pm. A discussion will follow the reading. Dr. Riccards also wrote the play. "Lincoln: the Musical" whivch was performed at the Orange Town Hall in 2010.