St. Francis of Assisi

ONE

Today is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, though he was no sissy! In fact, He wanted to gain glory as a warrior, a knight in battle. At first, his desire to fight was for his own glory, still he wanted to be a soldier. When he was a young man, he had a dream that his home changed into a great palace filled with shields, armor, swords and banners – on all this war equipment glittered a red cross. As he wandered the halls a beautiful poorly-clad young woman appeared and clasped his hand tightly and said to him: “Francis, my beloved, all this is for you and for your companions. Take up your arms.” Francis misinterpreted the dream. The poorly clad young woman was Lady Poverty; the companions – Franciscans, not worldly Knights, and the weapons well, God had other weapons in mind: prayer, penance and preaching.

TWO

Thankfully, God does not give up on us in our miscues.

Francis came to the broken-down church of St. Damian, barley more than rubble. He fell on his knees before the Crucifix and in the silence, Jesus spoke saying: “Rebuild my Church. It is falling down.” Again, Francis did not interpret the will of God perfectly, he began rebuilding the little stone chapel of St. Damian. It was a good start, but God had something much bigger in mind. Men began following Francis and his way of life. When there were 12, they went to the Pope for his approval. The night before, the Pope had a strange dream. The Pope dreamt he saw the Church falling apart, and when it was about to fall into pieces, a small man came up and put his shoulder against the building and with one shove he set the Church back on its foundations like new. When the Pope awoke, he knew the small man was Francis. He approved his way of life and they became the Franciscans.

THREE

In the year 1219, the 5th Crusade was happening in Egypt. Francis decided the best way to bring an end to the fighting was to convert the Muslim Ruler to Christianity. So he and Br. Illuminato joined the Crusade, sailing for Alexandria, Egypt.

Upon arrival Francis and Illuminato walked straight up to enemy lines requesting to see the Sultan Malik al-Kamil

The Muslim soldiers were so dumfounded by these two small unarmed Christians, that they did not immediately kill them and even granted their request to take them to the Sultan. But the rule was, if you are granted permission to approach and do not you were killed. This was no problem except for one thing. They spread crosses on the ground covering the way to the throne – believing Francis would not step on the Cross. Boldly Francis walked right on the crosses to the Sultan who promptly ridiculed him for desecrating his sacred image. To which Francis replied: There were three crosses on Calvary – I stepped on the other two. This courage and whit so captivated the Sultan that they ended up having many conversations. However, the Sultan would not convert.

So finally Francis tried to make a deal. He proposed the Sultan command two large fires be made. He would lay in one fire and the Muslim Imams could lay in the other. The one who came out unharmed – theirs was the true Religion. None of the Imams wanted anything to do with this trial by fire.

FOUR

At length the Sultan said to Francis: “Brother Francis, most willingly would I be converted to the faith of Christ; but I fear to do so now, for if the people knew it, they would kill both me and you and your companions. You have much good to accomplish, and I have certain affairs of great importance to finish.

But teach me how I can be saved, and I am ready to do as you tell me.” On this St Francis made answer: “My lord, I will take leave of you for the present; but after I have returned to my own country, when I shall be dead and gone to heaven, by the grace of God, I will send you two of my friars, who will baptize you and you will be saved. In the meantime, remove all sin from your life and live the way of goodness and virtue so that, when the grace of God arrives, you will be found ready to receive it.

The Sultan then gave Francis His ring which signified His authority over Palestine, thus entrusting the Christian Holy Places to Francis and the Franciscans. Thus from 1217 until this day they are the Custodians of the Holy Land.

Years passed, Francis died and the Sultan, having fallen ill, awaited the fulfillment of the promise of St Francis, and placed guards in all the passes, ordering them if they met two brothers in the habit of St Francis to conduct them immediately to him. At the same time St Francis appeared to two of his friars, and ordered them without delay to go to the Sultan and save his soul, according to the promise he had made him.

The two set out, and having crossed the sea, were conducted to the Sultan by the guards he had sent out to meet them.

The Sultan, when he saw them arrive, rejoiced greatly, and exclaimed: “Now I know Allah has sent his servants to save my soul, according to the promise of Francis. After receiving Baptism, his soul was saved, and he died in the Peace of Christ

FIVE

Francis took the initiative, broke out of his routine, went way out of his way to build a friendship with the Sultan, and though it took many years, and did not happen in the lifetime of Francis – the Sultan turned to Christ and was saved.

Salvation comes from faith. Faith comes through friendship.

St. Francis of Assisi once told a brother who was struggling with doubts: “Do not be troubled brother, but through friendship learn faith.” THROUGH FRIENDSHIP LEARN FAITH.

Many people are sick of living in uncertainty. Fear and danger seem to lurk everywhere. The result is a heightened level of anxiety, worry, anger, frustration, sadness and isolation.

Like Bl Bartolo Longo, who was transformed from despair to hope by the words of Our Lady: "Whoever spreads the Rosary is saved!” and like St Francis of Assisi

It would do every one of us good and it would do great good for others if we would take these two saints to heart and become Apostles of the Rosary by being Apostles of Friendship.

The best way to help yourself out of a funk and the best way to help others is to ask the Holy Spirit who He wants you to reach out to in friendship and then help that person take on the habit of praying the Rosary Podcast daily.

Sharing the podcast with someone is a good start – but for them to make it a habit will take your follow-up in genuine friendship. By being Apostles of Friendship we can be Apostles of the Rosary and we both win.

This October, the month of the Rosary, I challenge you to help one other person make a habit of the daily Rosary.