St. Francis of Assisi and the Conversion of the Muslims

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DustinsDad

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New from TAN books…from their website:
**St. Francis of Assisi and the Conversion of the Muslims **By: Frank Rega

Tells the authentic story of St. Francis’ trip to the Sultan in Egypt and efforts to convert him to the One True Faith. Also includes a brief biography of St. Francis; including his stigmata; the Franciscans; St. Clare; and St. Francis’ view of the Crusades. A book greatly needed in our era of false ecumenism. (ISBN-8589). No. 2193. 152 Pp. PB.

https://www.tanbooks.com/shop_image/product/sain2193.jpg

(a little cheaper still at Amazon)

Has anyone here read this yet? I think I may just have to pick it up 👍

Peace in Christ,

DustinsDad
 
I have not read this particular book, but I did read a very good biography of this great saint. Unfortunately I do not know the title or the author and do not still have the book. According to this book, the story was that Francis was caputured and taken to the Sultan. In order to try to convert the Sultan, Francis suggested that he build a great fire. After the fire was built, Francis suggested that the sultan’s leading religious official and himself (Francis) both walk through the fire. Francis suggested that the one who would survive would be the one who offered the most pleasing worship to God. The Islamic cleric of course wanted nothing to do with this test. Francis offered to walk through himself if the Sultan would agree to accept Christ if God preserved Francis in the flames. The Sultan said he could not convert even if he was convinced of the truth of the Gospel because of his position, and thus urged Francis not to try. He then ordered his soldiers to give Francis safe passage back to the Christian lines.
 
Frank Rega wrote Holy Man on the Mountain, didn’t he? (Padre Pio) That was the best Padre Pio book I have read.
 
I read St. Bonaventure’s biography of St. Francis and it has a lot on this aspect of St. Francis’ life. He desired to be a martyr, but it was not God’s will. He also convinced the Sultan (or whoever the leader was) of the truth, so he spared Francis, but did not convert for fear of his countrymen. St. Francis also preached in the middle of the Crusades to both sides.

I’m not sure what is added by the above book, but I heartily recommend St. Bonaventure’s work on St. Francis’ whole life, including this chapter of it. 👍
 
This is more a question than a comment. Does anyone know when the Franciscan friars established a convent and hospice in Damietta? I believe it was during Louis IX’s occupation but I was wondering why it wasn’t earlier since Francis was there in 1219 and the Crusaders occupied the walled city 1219-1221. Any first-hand knowledge of the Franciscans in Egypt would be very helpful–I’ve read of their support of the Coptic Catholics and the Franciscan Center for Catholic Oriental Studies.
 
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