Book Recommendation: Brother to All
For All Saints Day, here is a review of a book about one of our newest saints, who is also important to the Joseph House and the Little Sisters (find out why on this page: Brother Charles).
Brother to All is one of the first books about Charles de Foucauld published after his canonization on May 15, 2022. It is a slim volume of 11 chapters, each written by a different contributor. A theme throughout the book is how Charles is a model for the “culture of encounter” that Pope Francis speaks about frequently. The Pope, by the way, is one of Charles’ admirers.
What It Offers
Several chapters address the relevance of Charles to the world today by examining key points of his spirituality and how they fit into a wider context. One chapter, for example, looks at his connection with Francis of Assisi, while another explores his relationship with Louis Massignon, a pioneer in Christian-Muslim dialogue who played a role in how the Church relates to non-Christian religions.
Although he wanted to follow the hidden life of Jesus and live in humble obscurity, Charles’ own life has sent ripples far and wide. His influence throughout history is subtle but persistent and growing. Brother to All helps the reader appreciate the significance of this hermit who practiced a ministry of presence in the Sahara more than 100 years ago.
Some of the contributors offer a more personal look at how Charles has shaped their individual lives. Rev. Joseph Healey traces his journey with Charles from 1960 to the present day. A Maryknoll Missionary, he sees in Charles a life-long guide for the development of his vocation. Rev. Healey also discusses the link between Charles and Therese of Lisieux, which is very interesting. When two saints are contemporaries and share a spiritual kinship, God is sending a clear message to pay attention.
The value of Brother to All is found in its contributors, which include a few members of Charles-inspired religious communities. For all of them, Charles has been a presence in their lives for years, if not decades. They have studied his life and lived his spirituality. They represent a wealth of experience.
Who Is It For
The book is a good choice for readers who are familiar with Charles and maybe have read his biography and who want a deeper dive into his legacy. For newcomers, enough background is provided so they will enjoy it too.
Charles became a saint by being a friend to people who were different from him. In the chapter “Brother Charles and the Visitation,” Little Sister Kathleen (a Little Sister of Jesus) writes, “True encounters always sharpen our own sense of identity.” Hopefully, in meeting Charles in the pages of Brother to All, the reader will be inspired to follow the particular road to holiness that God lays out for each one of us.
Publishing Details
The book is edited by Joseph Victor Edwin, SJ, director of the Vidyajyoti Institute of Islamic Studies in New Delhi, India.
Title: Brother to All – The Life and Witness of St. Charles de Foucauld
Publisher: Orbis Books
Date: 2022
Pages: 118
Retail: $20.00
ISBN: 978-1-62698-484-4
From The Back Cover
“Charles [de Foucauld] directed his ideal of total surrender to God toward an identification with the poor, abandoned in the depths of the African desert….He wanted to be, in the end, ‘the universal brother.’ Yet only by identifying with the least did he come at last to be the brother of all. May God inspire that dream in each one of us.” – Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti
Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916) has taken his place among the great saints and spiritual explorers of modern times. Inspired by the “hidden life” of Jesus in the years he lived as a carpenter among his neighbors in Nazareth, de Foucauld’s mission led him to a hermitage in North Africa where he lived among his poor Muslim neighbors in a spirit of friendship and solidarity, proclaiming the gospel “not with words” but with his life.
Here, leading theologians and spiritual writers explore the significance of St. Charles’ witness, with particular attention to the urgent cause of Christian-Muslim dialogue.
“Charles de Foucauld, the ‘Universal Brother,’ led a hidden life in the open desert. This volume of reflections, four of them by women, helps to make this ‘hidden treasure’ known.” – Cardinal Michael Fitzgerald
“Without St. Charles de Foucauld, the Catholic Church’s current positive stance toward Muslims would likely not have materialized. [This volume] helps us understand this holy man and his important legacy and inspires us to live alongside Muslims as spiritual siblings.” – Jordan Denari Duffner, author, Islamophobia
“A compelling exploration of the fascinating, complex, and, in truth, perplexing dimensions of this newly canonized saint and his life of complete abandonment of all to God….He embodied a humble spirituality by offering a simple, affable, and kind presence among Muslim tribespeople, accompanying them in their cultural ways, enduring the hardships of desert life, and recording and preserving their language as a legacy for all.” – John Borelli, Georgetown University
For many years (1977-2011), we operated Joseph House by the Sea, a book and gift store in Ocean City, Maryland. Our founder, Sr. Mary Elizabeth Gintling, believed it was important “to have a place in the marketplace where people can come to get spiritual direction and guidance in their reading.” In that spirit, we continue to offer recommendations for worthwhile books and other items.
Consider ordering from an independent bookstore — they are worth supporting.