The Marks of the Church: The Church is One

By Cardinal Donald Wuel

So often on pastoral visits to parishes or schools when I ask a young child his or her name, I get an immediate and clear response. Sometimes the young person will give both first and last names. It is important to know who we are.
Part of our identity, in addition to our family name, is our faith commitment. We identify ourselves as Catholics. In doing so, we profess our faith in “one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.” These words found in the Nicene Creed and used at Sunday Mass refer to what are traditionally known as the “marks” of the Church, traits that characterize the true Church.

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In honor of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4, Fr. André Cirino, OFM, offers his book recommendations to learn more about the Saint.

There are literally hundreds of biographies on St. Francis of Assisi. I have chosen 4 and will suggest why a certain biography may interest you, the reader.

1. St. Francis by Nikos Kazantzkis, Simon & Schuster, 1962.

The story of St. Francis is told through the eyes of Brother Leo, one of the first brothers and a priest as well. This is more of an imaginative than historical biography that captures the joyful spirit of the Saint and his life. I have read this book several times and still enjoy the author’s creative style of story-telling.

2. Francis, The Saint of Assisi by Joan Mueller, Thomas Moore Publishing, 2000.

This biography is literally a “page-turner” that one can read quickly, and it is historically accurate. I read this book practically overnight because I found it fast-moving and captivating.

3. Francis, The Journey and the Dream by Murray Bodo, OFM, Tau Publishing, 2011.

This book about St. Francis is written more from the perspective of the spirituality of the Saint, written in a reflective and more poetical style. It has sold more than a million copies and been translated into many languages. I have used this work for personal prayer and meditation.

4. Francis of Assisi by André Vauchez, Yale University Press, 2009.

This extensive biography of the Saint is a comprehensive study noted for its in-depth historical research especially attractive to the serious reader. I worked my way through this biography to broaden my appreciation and understanding of St. Francis and his times and was not disappointed.