Author Archives: Br. Francis Maluf, M.I.C.M.

Br. Francis Maluf, M.I.C.M.

About Br. Francis Maluf, M.I.C.M.

Brother Francis was born, in the town of Mashrah, Lebanon, about thirty miles from Beirut, in 1913. His given name was Fakhri Boutros Maluf. The Maluf family is descended from the ancient Ghassanids, Christian and Catholic Arabs who courageously kept the Faith in the face of Moslem aggression.

Though poor, Fakhri’s family saw to his education, which was provided at home, in a small school that his father operated. In 1934, Fakhri graduated from the American University of Beirut with a Bachelor’s Degree in mathematics. From 1934 to 1939, he taught physics at that same University.

In 1939, he moved to the United States to attend the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he received first an M.A. and, in 1942, a Ph.D. in philosophy. After receiving his Ph.D., he continued post-graduate studies at Harvard University and Saint Bonaventure University.

From 1942 to 1945, Dr. Maluf taught mathematics and science at Holy Cross College in Worcester, Massachusetts. From 1945 to 1949, he taught philosophy, theology, and mathematics at Boston College.

In addition to his academic career, Dr. Maluf's first decade in America was filled with great religious activity. On the Feast of St. Andrew (Nov. 30) in 1940, he became a Catholic. (Although he came from an historic Catholic family, his father had become a Mason and raised the children with no religion.) Two years later, he met Father Leonard Feeney, chaplain of Saint Benedict Center. In 1949, Dr. Maluf and two other professors at Boston College were dismissed from the faculty after charging the College, in a letter to Pope Pius XII and the Superior General of the Jesuit Order, with promoting the liberal doctrine of salvation outside the Church. That same year, Dr. Maluf became one of the pioneer members of Father Feeney’s religious Order, the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, eventually taking the vows of religion and the name Brother Francis, after Saint Francis Xavier.

Since that time, Brother Francis continued to teach Sacred Scripture, philosophy, theology, science and mathematics at various levels. For many years he was the Superior of the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary monastery in Richmond, New Hampshire. While in his 90s, he continued to give weekly lectures on various topics, teach high school, head the Saint Augustine Institute of Catholic Studies, and oversee the publishing apostolate of Saint Benedict Center.

On July 19, 2009, Brother Francis marked his 96th birthday. On September 5 of that year — a first Saturday — Brother went to his reward.

Although our Order is of the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, Brother Francis was a Melkite Rite (Byzantine) Catholic.

Please read Brother Francis’ Obituary and the Ad Rem, The Funeral of Brother Francis, in Thoughts and Pictures.

He gave numerous lectures and courses that are available on our online store in books or on audio.

Bela

The Dangers of Scientism (December, 1946)

If a man were to say to me, “I refuse to use my eyesight except through a microscope,” I might think that the man is queer or crazy, and I would certainly try to avoid his company. Imagine taking a walk with a man who keeps one eye closed, and the other, permanently fixed to a microscope! Such a man is worse than blind, for … More →


Posted in Articles, Heresies and Errors, Philosophy | 1 Comment
Euclid2

Mathematics and Christian Education

Nothing could be more distinctive of the age in which we live than the overpowering prominence of mathematics. All through the Catholic centuries, arithmetic and geometry constituted all the mathematics that an educated Christian was asked to learn. Even these two subjects were treated from a more contemplative point of view, which made them far more harmonious with other liberal studies. Arithmetic consisted in the … More →

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Posted in Articles, Faith and Reason | 6 Comments

Reflections on Knowledge, Beauty, and Wisdom

[Taken randomly from Brother Francis' lectures, with a minor amount of editing.] Some things have to become part of our knowledge through acquaintance, so to speak. Knowledge becomes impossible if everything needs a definition. If someone were to ask you a question and say, “What does this mean?” And you say, “It means this or that.” And he asks, “And what does this or that … More →

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Remembering Father Feeney

During the long years (1942-1978) in which I was privileged to associate with Father Feeney on a daily basis, I kept a record of statements he would make from time to time, in his sermons or lectures, or in ordinary conversation that struck me at that moment as proceeding from a deep mystical realization or apprehension. I felt an irresistible impulse to record these sayings … More →


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Cause of All Our Joys

O Cause of all our joys! 1 Queen, merciful and kind, What makes our girls and boys So precious in your mind? Brother Francis composed these verses to a lovely Arabic song he knew from his youth. ↩


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On Holy __

1. When you have __, everyone wants your company. When you lose __, men want to avoid you. 2. When you have __, you cannot be mean if you tried. When you lose __, you are mean even to yourself. 3. When you have __, you cannot commit sin. 4. When you have __, you overcome every adversity. Without __, even good fortune does you … More →


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For the Children Again

This little rhyme might show you how to say—

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Anna Maria to St. Anne

O Good Saint Anne, I am named for you, Will you make me good and Holy and true?

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To Marie Rose on her 6th Birthday

When Our Lady looks down from Heaven. To admire your princely repose. She says to the angels around her,

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Anna Maria at her 4th Birthday

Look at the morning Anna Maria, Look at the bright blue sky! These are the reflections, Anna Maria, Of beauties that are on high.

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Agnes Mary

Agnes Mary you are so sweet, Your little hands, and your little feet. Your little mouth, and your big eyes,

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Anna Maria

I know how dear my God can be, Who thought in all eternity, An exquisite plan of darling Anne And all the sweetness that is she. From Divine Alchemy

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Peter at Seven

Peter, a little nobleman of heaven Pays tribute today to number seven. Seven for the sacraments he

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Mariam as a Child

I know that Mariam Is a child of light; She smiles at the morning And frowns at the night. From Divine Alchemy

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Children’s Stories (At the Maluf’s before Mass)

This must be going to be a good day, For Leonard wasn’t stubborn and didn’t delay, And even Peter

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