Muslim Community Visits OLA Motherhouse

The following article was written by Sr. Julie Keegan for one of our congregational publications.

Improving Muslim/Christian relationships is a goal that all of us desire. For a number of years our Advocacy Committee has been studying ways to understand the faith traditions of our Muslim brothers and sisters. Earlier last year members of the committee visited a local mosque. In November members of that mosque reciprocated with a visit to our motherhouse.

Sister Patricia Hutchison did a short presentation on the story of St. Francis’ 1219 visit to the sultan, basing her remarks on the scholarship of Sister Kathy Warren, OSF, and Father Michael Calabrial. During the Crusades when Christian soldiers were waging war against Muslims, Francis went to the camp of Malik-al-Kamil, the sultan of Egypt. Francis most likely went initially with the hope of converting the sultan and may have spent as long as two weeks with him. During that time they most likely prayed and shared a great deal with one another. In the midst of violence, Francis and the sultan were able to transcend their differences in a way that enriched both. The 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 also possible that Francis’ “Praises of God” are modeled on the 99 names of God as found in the Qu’ran which the sultan may have shared with him. Scholars also tell us that the “Canticle of the Sun” may have been influenced by this visit because Francis’ phrases about the sun, moon, and water are reflective of phrases in the Qu’ran. And finally, it is possible that the blessing Francis gave to Brother Leo is less a blessing for Leo than it is a heartfelt prayer for God to protect the sultan and bring him peace. The imam who was present for our gathering at the motherhouse said that he had never heard this story but acknowledged that it touched him deeply and he intended to learn much more about it.

The sisters and members of the Muslim community gathered for a presentation by Sr. Patricia Hutchison.

After Sister Patricia’s presentation and the resulting conversation, our visitors joined the sisters for dinner. Following dinner members of the mosque used the northeast side of the dining room for their evening prayer. The sisters were honored to be present during prayer and to witness the Muslims’ great love and reverence for Allah.

The sisters who live at the motherhouse gathered for dinner with our guests.

We were honored to be present as our Muslim brothers and sister prayed their evening prayer.

After a tour of the motherhouse, our guests gathered at the sculpture of St. Francis for a photo.