While in prayer at the Church of San Damiano in Italy, St. Francis gazed upon the cross and received a message from Jesus Christ to “go repair my house.” This message is a signi cant and meaningful part of Marian University’s mission and Catholic identity. There are many spots where students, faculty, staff, and visitors can look up to this cross just as St. Francis did.
The scene of Christ the Teacher was a gift from the Doyle Family in October 2007 and moved from the library to its new home in the Dining Commons.
An important role that St. Francis embodied in his ministry was to help heal and serve others in need. In the Michael A. Evans Center for Health Sciences, the mural of St. Francis and the Leper not only shows the work of healing and connection with the Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine, but also the Franciscan values.
On October 24, 1940, Marian University mourned the loss of Georgiana Feldman, who passed unexpectedly as student. A year later, her parents donated a beautiful statue of St. Francis to honor her. Surrounding St. Francis are 14 pillars with the stations of the cross constructed inside. This space serves as a place of re ection and prayer.
The mural of the nativity scene outside of Alumni Hall honors not only St. Francis and his admiration for the Holy family, but also the families of Marian University. Students, faculty, staff, and their families can witness this sacred image illuminated at night.
The Blessed Mother Mary Shrine and Rosary Walk were the combined projects of four San Damiano Scholars. With the help of an architect to design the space and artists to design the statue for the shrine and symbols for the mysteries of the rosary, this peaceful spot was brought to life and serves as a place of veneration and re ection.
The Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, Indiana, shared the four Franciscan values with Marian University to incorporate into the lives of the community and mission. Dignity of the individual, peace and justice, reconciliation, and responsible stewardship are values grounded in prayer and represent Marian’s Franciscan roots and call to serve. Mosaics of the four values are displayed on the rst- oor hallway of the Michael A. Evans Center for Health Sciences.
