Novena to Saint Francis of Assisi day 8



Prayer before the crucifix of San Damiano

Most High glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my heart.
Give me right faith, sure hope and perfect charity.
Fill me with understanding and knowledge that I may fulfill your command.

Major Legend of San Buenaventura (Chapter 9.8)

Accompanied, then, by a brother named Illuminated - a truly enlightened and virtuous man - he set off, and suddenly two sheep came to meet him, in whose sight, very happy, the Saint said to his companion: «Trust, brother, in the Lord, because the evangelical saying is fulfilled in us: Behold, I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves ”(Mt 10,16). And, advancing a little further, they met the Saracen guards, who rushed upon them like wolves on sheep and cruelly and despised the wildly captured servants of God, uttering insults against them, afflicting them with scourges and binding them with chains. Finally, after they had been mistreated and tormented in a thousand ways, so the divine Providence arranged it, they took them to the presence of the Sultan, as the man of God wished. Then the chief asked them who had sent them, what their purpose was, with what credentials they came and how they could get there; and the servant of Christ Francis responded with fearlessness that he had been sent not by any man, but by the very highest God, to show him and his people the way of salvation and to announce the Gospel of truth. And he proclaimed before this Sultan about triune God and one and about Jesus Christ, the savior of all men with such great conviction, with such strength of spirit and with such fervor of spirit, that it was clearly seen that the Gospel was fulfilled in him: I will give you words and wisdom, which cannot be faced or contradicted by any adversary of yours (Lk 21,15). In fact, observing the sultan the admirable fervor and virtue of the man of God, he listened with pleasure and insistently invited him to remain with him. But the servant of Christ, inspired from above, replied: «If you resolve to convert to Christ, you and your people, I will remain very glad for his love in your company. But, if you doubt in abandoning the law of Muhammad in exchange for the faith of Christ, command to light a great bonfire, and I will enter it together with your priests, so that you know which of the two beliefs is to be had, without a doubt , as safer and more holy ». The Sultan replied: "I do not believe that among my priests there are any who, by defending their faith, want to expose themselves to the test of fire, or who are willing to suffer any other torment." He had observed, in effect, that one of his priests, a man of integrity and advanced in age, as soon as he heard of the matter, disappeared from his presence. Then, the Saint made this proposition: «If in your name and in that of your people you want to promise me that you will convert to the cult of Christ if I leave the fire unharmed, I will enter the bonfire alone. If fire consumes me, impute myself to my sins; but, if divine power protects me, you will recognize Christ, strength and wisdom of God, true God and Lord, savior of all men. The Sultan replied that he did not dare to accept this option, because he feared an uprising by the people. However, he offered many valuable gifts, that the man of God - eager not for earthly treasures, but for the salvation of souls - rejected what if they were mud. Seeing the Sultan in this holy man such a perfect contempt for the goods of the earth, he greatly admired it and felt drawn to him with greater devotion and affection. And, although he did not want to, or perhaps did not dare to convert to the Christian faith, however, he devotedly begged the servant of Christ to deign to accept those present and distribute them - for his salvation - among poor Christians or churches. But Francisco, who shunned all money and realized, on the other hand, that the Sultan was not founded on true piety, refused at all to condescend with his desire.

Meditation

Francis took with him the Illuminated brother of Rieti, his companion since 1210. At first, probably taken as spies, they are beaten but soon the soldiers doubt. According to his wishes, the two friars are brought to the presence of Sultan Melek-el-Kamel, the Sultan interrogates Francis: “The servant of Christ responds that he had been sent from beyond the seas, not by any man, but by God Himself ”(LM 9,8). It thus separates itself from the Crusaders and their violence. We would like to know more details of the conversation but we don't have many elements. However, we know the essential, Francis declares himself a Christian and is heard by the Sultan. After many days Francis confirms positive aspects in the so-called “infidels”. He realizes the deep religiosity of Islam, since five times a day Francis and Enlightened listen to the muezzin launch the call to prayer. Francis discovers that these men are not only his brothers as creatures, they are not only his brothers because of the blood shed by Jesus for all. He knew all this, but he discovers that the so-called infidels are his brothers for this communion in prayer to the only God. 

Two weeks after meeting the Sultan, the truce ends and it is time for departure. The Sultan, admired by the wisdom of this "monk," tries to retain him with treasures and gifts. But Francis is poor and only wants the conversion of the Sultan. Goodbye time comes; both Francisco and the Sultan know they will never see each other again. That is why Melek-el-Kamel is entrusted to the prayers of a non-Muslim. With Enlightened, Francis begins the march accompanied by an escort of princes, it is the last gesture of the Sultan towards Francis. Francis and the Sultan in the middle of the war, had a meeting in Paz, thanks to the hospitality of one and the opening to the dialogue of both. Although Francis fails to make the Sultan become a Christian, neither does the Sultan manage to retain this "monk" named Francis offering him sumptuous gifts and money. However, both experienced a peaceful encounter, where each one could present his perspective to the other in a frank dialogue. Thanks to this meeting in peace that today the Franciscans live in peace guarding the holy places in the midst of non-Christian lands.

Full novena to Saint Francis:

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