Francis and the Sultan

Several weeks ago Michael Calabria OFM gave a presentation at the Franciscan Spiritual Center entitled “Simply Divine:  Art and Faith in the Islamic World”.  One presenter described his presentation in the following manner:  “Father presented to us with sensitivity, understanding and beauty so that ‘seeing’ with other eyes may lead us to the connective gifts of all people and creation.”  Father Michael is a scholar of Arabic and Islamic Studies and has researched a great deal on St. Francis and the Sultan and last year shared extensively on this topic at the Center. 

This week I was touched deeply by that story because a small group of Muslims visited us (thanks to the initiative of our Advocacy Committee).  To begin the visit, Sr. Pat Hutchison gave a short presentation on St. Francis and the Sultan, based on the scholarship of Father Michael Calabria and Sr. Kathy Warren, OSF. 

You may know the story of Francis and the Sultan but, if not, here it is in a nutshell:   Around 1219 during the Crusades when Christian soldiers took up arms against Muslims, Francis visited the camp of Malik-al-Kamil, who was the sultan of Egypt.  It is thought that Francis, who probably initially went with the hope of converting the Sultan, may have spent as long as two weeks with him.  During that time they most likely prayed together and shared a great deal about one another.  In the midst of a violent crusade they were able to transcend their differences and engage each other with reverence and respect and perhaps even amazement and appreciation. 

Our Muslim brothers and sisters were deeply moved by this story of Francis but those of us who knew the story were also touched by a new awareness of how influential the Sultan had been in Francis Life.  This encounter is said to have confirmed in Francis the idea that we are all brothers and sisters of one loving Father in heaven.  It is thought that the Francis’ Praises of God are modeled on the 99 names of God as found in the Qu’ran.  Scholars tell us the Canticle of the Sun may also be influenced by this visit, as phrases about the sun and the moon and water are also reflective of phrases in the Qu’ran.  And, finally, perhaps the Blessing Francis gave to Brother Leo, which we often sing, is less a blessing for Leo and more a  a heartfelt prayer for God to protect the Sultan and bring him peace. 

For us today, Francis' visit to the Sultan clearly provides a model for engaging in open, respectful dialogue which is as important today as it was in the Middle Ages.  We desire to offer hospitality and friendship to our Muslim brothers and sisters because they are our neighbors, our colleagues, fellow Americans, perhaps even members of our families, but definitely our brothers and sisters in the faith of Abraham.  Our hope is to continue this dialogue by visiting our new friends again on the first Sunday in November.  May Francis teach us what is ours to do as we live a journey of peace with our Muslim brothers and sisters.