Cardinal Francis E. George, O.M.I., was an exemplary pastor and heroic disciple of Christ. A native Chicagoan, he was told as a young man that he would never be a priest in Chicago because of a physical disability resulting from polio. He went on to be ordained a priest with the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in 1963. The native son was appointed as archbishop of Chicago in 1997, created a cardinal in 1998, and served in Chicago until 2014, just months before his death in April 2015.

Cardinal George was a prophetic voice in the Church — a man able to see things as they are and from the point of view of the whole Church. His episcopal motto, “To Christ be glory in the Church,” encapsulates his legacy, because every decision he made, every action he took, every suffering he endured was about serving others and pointing them to our Savior.

Most of all, Cardinal George was a Christian in every sense. He was concerned about relationships and people, not careerism or advancement. He was attentive to the poor and those on the margins. He was a man of prayer, dedicated to Our Lady, and devoted to the Eucharist. He articulated the Faith and was committed to reform. He was honest, accountable, genuine, and holy. Admired for his pursuit and proclamation of the truth and his personal witness to the Gospel, Cardinal George remains a model for discipleship and leadership.

Endorsements for Glorifying Christ: The Life of Cardinal Francis E. George, O.M.I:

“Cardinal George represented the best of Chicago; super smart, tough, direct, compassionate. It is important that his story has been well told by Michael Heinlein, for us and for future generations.” — Cardinal George Pell, Prefect Emeritus of the Secretariat for the Economy, Holy See

“Cardinal George, my great friend, contemporary, and fellow Oblate of Mary Immaculate, was a most impressive man of the Church. Michael Heinlein’s engrossing book tells the inside story. The Archdiocese of Chicago was the crucible, where this ‘head man’ became a ‘heart man,’ suffering and living through the pains and doubts of a Shepherd and emerging with deeper faith in God. The beauty of his life for God and Church emerges in this book of love. A must-read for everyone.” — Cardinal Orlando B. Quevedo, O.M.I., Archbishop Emeritus of Cotabato, Philippines

“Cardinal George was a man, as Tacitus states, sine ira et studio, a man without bitterness or partiality. In Cardinal George, we see a churchman of deep intellectual objectivity and compassionate missionary zeal. Michael Heinlein’s work presents to us once again the steady wisdom and fortitude which so marked the life of Cardinal George.” — Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston

“For over two decades I’ve heard the chant from so many, ‘We need a biography of Cardinal Francis George!’ Thanks to Michael Heinlein, we’ve got one! Cardinal George was a man of intense intellectual depth, with a heart that was soft and big. We benefit from his wisdom and focus more than ever!” — Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York

“I am deeply grateful that this volume has been prepared. It presents great insight into this churchman, who was one of our most gifted ecclesiastical leaders. Cardinal George was a friend to all in need, especially the poor. And he was a holy man.” — Most Reverend Roger L. Schwietz, O.M.I., Archbishop Emeritus of Anchorage

“As bishop, archbishop, and cardinal, Francis George emulated the example of our Founder St. Eugene de Mazenod, who had great devotion to the Cross of Jesus Christ and saw the world through the eyes of the Crucified Savior, uniting himself compassionately to those who suffered from poverty, violence, racism or abuse. We thank God for his life and are happy that others can now read this testimony of his well-lived life.” — Very Reverend Luis Ignacio Rois Alonso, O.M.I., Superior General, Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate

“Francis George, O.M.I., was a personal friend; a mentor and adviser; a man of gifted intellect and wisdom; and one of the truly great American bishops of the last century. He is very sorely missed. But in capturing the fullness of Cardinal George’s life, ministry, and the meaning of his legacy in this superb biography, Michael Heinlein has done a service for the entire American Catholic community. I will treasure and share this book.” — Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop Emeritus of Philadelphia

“As a successor of Francis George, who is still beloved in the Archdiocese of Portland despite his short tenure as our ninth archbishop, I am pleased and gratified to see this fine account of Cardinal George’s life. Heinlein offers a comprehensive, informative and insightful narrative, giving the reader a unique perspective into the witness and ministry of this holy man.” — Most Reverend Alexander K. Sample, Archbishop of Portland-in-Oregon

“Michael Heinlein offers to his readers faith-filled insights into the formation and development of the intellectual leader of the USCCB. For me personally, Heinlein gives an opportunity to once again engage my archbishop, mentor, and friend Cardinal George, as he journeyed to sainthood. I highly recommend this book.” — Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki, Archbishop of Milwaukee

“I learned an abundance of important lessons that have shaped my life and ministry as a bishop by observing and working closely with this brilliant and holy churchman over the span of almost two decades. Now, thanks to this outstanding biography by Michael Heinlein, people who never had the opportunity to meet Cardinal George will get to know this saintly and towering figure who dedicated his life to giving glory to Christ in the Church and in the world.” — Most Reverend Thomas J. Paprocki, Bishop of Springfield in Illinois

“From the day he was introduced as Archbishop of Chicago until the day the Lord called him to eternal life, I lived, conversed, laughed, and prayed with Cardinal George. Michael Heinlein has done a fine job on this biography, employing his skills as a researcher and a writer to accurately present the authenticity and holiness of a man with whom I was pleased to serve as a brother bishop and knew as a friend.” — Most Reverend Raymond E. Goedert, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Chicago

“In the midst of the drama and struggle of human life, by his wise leadership and personal example, Cardinal George exhibited what it takes to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Michael Heinlein has done us an inestimable service by penning an insightful biography of Cardinal George. In this moment of crisis for the Church and the human family, I invite you to learn from the Cardinal’s life and ministry and give Christ glory in all things.” — Most Reverend Robert P. Reed, Archdiocese of Boston

“In a religious life and ministry that spanned six pontificates, Cardinal Francis George was a pivotal figure in American Catholic life. As a religious, an intellectual, and a shepherd, he navigated through turbulent times in a way that was deeply faithful to the Gospel and, precisely because of that fidelity, was innately pastoral. We can be grateful to Michael Heinlein for making the life and ministry of Francis George available to us in this engaging biography.”

—Most Reverend Kevin C. Rhoades, Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend

“In the extraordinary life of Francis Cardinal George, we see the grace of Christ powerfully at work. The combination of his towering intellect, deep suffering, and pastoral vision, all wrapped in a profound Catholic spirituality, made Cardinal George a prophet for our times. He could look at the mystery, gift, and challenge of being human, both through his deep love for Christ and through his own personal experience, forged in the Passion, death, and resurrection of the Lord. Michael Heinlein has masterfully sketched both the grace-filled sweep and the moving details of Cardinal George’s life of service to the Church and his heroic death, a narrative which leaves the reader with both joy and gratitude for the mysterious workings of divine providence.” — Most Revered Donald J. Hying, Bishop of Madison

“Jesus Christ glorifies those who glorify Him. Michael Heinlein shows this to be true with Cardinal George in this luminous book.”  —Gloria Purvis, Author, Commentator, Host and Executive Producer of The Gloria Purvis Podcast.

“With this fine biography of one of America’s great churchmen, Michael Heinlein has also made an important contribution to the history of turn-of-the century American Catholicism.” — Mary Ann Glendon, Learned Hand Professor Emerita, Harvard University, and former U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See

“As Chicago’s Mayor, I admired Cardinal George’s selfless commitment to those he served, and his tireless efforts to improve the quality of life for all Chicagoans. Michael Heinlein has effectively and comprehensively captured why Cardinal George’s hometown will long remember its native son as ‘Francis, our neighbor.’” — Honorable Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Ambassador to Japan, former Mayor of Chicago

“The motto of The Catholic University of America, Deus Lux Mea Est (God is My Light), could aptly summarize the life of alumnus Cardinal Francis George. As this excellent biography shows, Cardinal George’s life was so illuminated by God that he completely radiated that light to others in his life as disciple, scholar, and pastor. Now, thanks to our alumnus Michael Heinlein, even in death, Cardinal George continues to reflect God’s light to a world in great need of it.” — Dr. Peter Kilpatrick, President, The Catholic University of America

“Cardinal George was courageous, brilliant, shrewd, holy, and 110% Catholic. Getting to know him through Michael Heinlein’s book will be a privilege for any reader — and ought to inspire the present and future leaders of the Catholic Church in the United States.” — George Weigel, Distinguished Senior Fellow and William E. Simon Chair in Catholic Studies, Ethics and Public Policy Center

“Michael Heinlein’s biography of Cardinal George is clearly written out of much more than an intellectual appreciation of his life, but emanates from Mr. Heinlein’s deep appreciation of the Cardinal as a personal inspiration and as a leader by example. This is a carefully researched book, written in an engaging manner that easily involves the reader. As a native of Chicago, it is a privilege to recommend a book that so justly deserves a wide and appreciative readership.” — Reverend Mother Dolores Hart, O.S.B., Abbey of Regina Laudis

“Michael Heinlein splendidly captures the greatness of Cardinal George’s character in Glorifying Christ, which surely will inspire, and might even surprise.” — Daniel Lipinski, Ph.D., Former Member of Congress

“Michael Heinlein gives us a richly detailed, highly readable portrait of a model pastoral leader. In an era when American Catholicism sometimes appears hesitant and uncertain, this portrait of a revered figure offers timely guidance and encouragement.” — Russell Shaw, Author, American Church, The Life of Jesus Christ, and other books

“Modeling the courage, persistence, and holiness of Cardinal George himself, Heinlein has given us a wonderful gift in writing this book. I recommend it unreservedly, but perhaps with this one warning: if you wish to keep the former Archbishop of Chicago in a comfortable or dismissible ideological box, then get ready for a challenging read.” — Charles C. Camosy, author and Professor of Medical Humanities at the Creighton University School of Medicine

“During an era when the Church had yet to begin to care for survivors of abuse by clergy and others with authority in the Church, Cardinal George is counted among the few who ventured to listen to survivors. It is edifying now to find that Michael Heinlein has created an exhaustively researched account of the late Cardinal’s prophetic and often unsung contributions to the ongoing reform and renewal of the Church, particularly his efforts to ensure systemic abuse never happens again.” — Teresa Pitt Green, Co-founder of Spirit Fire, a fellowship of survivors of abuse within the Church

“Amid the tumultuous changes enveloping the Church in the United States, Cardinal George’s life attests to the one necessary thing: to become saints. And he shows us that this happens not all at once, but bit by bit throughout our lives. ...” — Sister Nancy Usselmann, F.S.P., Director of the Pauline Center for Media Studies and author of A Sacred Look: Becoming Cultural Mystics

“I knew Cardinal George during the last 25 years of his life and had the privilege of working with him in a number of different sorts of ecclesial settings. Reading this biography of his entire life made me realize how much I miss him and how much of him I had missed when I knew and worked with him. … What a blessing Cardinal George was and still is for the Church!” — Abbot Jeremy Driscoll, O.S.B., Abbot of Mount Angel Abbey

“This book is for the many who need reassurance today about ‘whether it’s possible to live this way.’ To live intelligently, unafraid of a changing world, capable of handling a lifetime of suffering, and throughout, to be person of unwavering faith, a Christian. Cardinal Francis George did it all by answering God’s call a day at a time, a task at a time, in the midst of frequent opposition and suffering. He can inspire us to do the same.” — Helen M. Alvaré, The Robert A. Levy Chair in Law & Liberty, Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University

“ The good cardinal was a man of deep faith, warm humanity, and profound intellect, but was unfairly maligned and misrepresented in both the Catholic and secular media as a right-wing ‘hardliner’ who was out of touch with the needs of modern Catholics. Heinlein’s detailed and exhaustive biography explodes these caricatures and shows us a complex and richly textured man who was a genuine prophet for our times.” — Dr. Larry Chapp, retired professor of theology at DeSales University, owner and manager of the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Farm

“Heinlein reminds us that even bishops can be holy. This book is a scotch against much of the divisive cynicism troubling Catholics today; and as such, this book is a perfect read for anyone in ministry but also for anyone who merely wants to hope again in the enduring good of ordinary Catholicism.” — Father Joshua J. Whitfield, pastor of St. Rita Catholic Community in Dallas, Texas, author of The Crisis of Bad Preaching

“My hope is that those who remember Cardinal George as well as those who read this important text will be inspired and encouraged by the witness of his life. In their efforts to lead a life of holiness and dedication to the good news of Jesus Christ, may they be inspired by that same dedication and zeal that so strongly characterized the life of Cardinal George.” — Very Reverend Louis Studer, O.M.I., Provincial, United States Province, Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate

“Glorifying Christ is an inspiringly real window into a contemporary Christian life. Read this, share it. Whenever I was around Cardinal George, he radiated wisdom.” — Kathryn Jean Lopez, senior fellow, National Review Institute; editor-at-large, National Review; author, A Year with the Mystics: Visionary Wisdom for Daily Living

“Cardinal George was always interesting, interested in others, an avid and brilliant conversationalist, and a terrific listener. Above all, he was always a priest. His life was like a many-faceted diamond, and Michael Heinlein perfectly captures the light in each facet and the overall brilliance of a life that indeed glorified Christ.” — Joan Lewis, host of Vatican Insider and Joan’s Rome, EWTN

“With Glorifying Christ, Michael Heinlein renders for us the stirring portrait of a man of intelligence, suffering, and deep faith, who served the Church while walking the via media — respectful of those who disagreed with that path, but unwavering in his Christward direction. This is a book worth reading and a man worth knowing as we all struggle to walk together in an increasingly divisive and divided world.” — Elizabeth Scalia, author of Strange Gods: Unmasking the Idols of Everyday Life and Little Sins Mean a Lot