The Story of Saint Francis and the Sultan

In those days was held a great Crusade, whereby men hoped to win the Holy Land back from the heathen Turks. And Francis, hearing that the Sultan of Egypt himself was in command of the hostile army, set out with Brother Illuminato to speak with him.

And after many perilous adventures they came to the army of the Christians and asked leave to go over to the other side and speak with the Sultan. Then they said to Francis:

"Dost thou not know that the Sultan has offered a golden ducat for the head of any Christian sent to him? How, then, dost thou think to pass safely through the enemy's lines?"

But Francis only laughed and prayed them to let him set out.

Now when they had gone forward on that perilous road. Brother Illuminato began to be very sore afraid. But Francis pointed out two lambs that ran by the wayside, saying joyfully: "Put thy trust in the Lord, brother, for in us is fulfilled those words of His: 'Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves.'"

Presently, however, there came out men against them who began to handle them roughly, not understanding their speech. But Francis cried out all the time:

"Sultan! Sultan!"

So they took him to the Sultan's tent.

Now the Sultan, who had been warned of his approach, had ordered a carpet, covered with crosses, to be spread on the floor of the tent. For he said:

"If he treads on the crosses I will accuse him of insulting his God; if he refuses to walk on it I will accuse him of insulting me."

But Francis, when he entered, walked upon the carpet without hesitation.

"See, you have trodden on the Cross that you profess to honour," said the Sultan.

But Francis answered and said:

"You must know Our Lord died between two thieves, who also hung upon crosses. We Christians have the true Cross; but the crosses of the thieves we leave to you, and these I am not ashamed to tread upon."

Then the Sultan was so struck by his courage and wit that he began to listen to his teaching; and he prayed him to come often, and gave him and his companions free leave to preach wheresoever they pleased. And he gave them a password whereby they would be protected from injury.

At length, however, Francis saw that he could reap no more fruit in these parts, and that God willed him to return to his native land. So he went for the last time to the Sultan to take leave of him. Then said the Sultan to him:

"Brother Francis, I would willingly turn to the faith of Christ , but I fear to do so now. For, if it became known, they would kill both me and thee and thy companions. I would not, therefore, at this time bring death upon thee and upon myself, but teach me how I may be saved; I am prepared to do all that thou mayst lay upon me."

Then Francis said:

"My lord, I must now depart from thee; but after I shall have returned to mine own country, and shall have gone to heaven, by the Grace of God, after my death, I will send thee two of my Brothers from whom thou shalt receive the baptism of Christ , and so shalt thou be saved, as has been revealed to me by the Lord Jesus. And do thou meantime keep thyself free from all that shall hinder the Grace of God."

And this he promised to do.

So Francis departed with his companions, and after several years, he passed from this earth into the hands of God.

Now after that time the Sultan became extremely ill, and expecting the promise of Francis to be fulfilled, he had guards placed at certain passes of the hills, and commanded that if two Brothers should appear in the habit of the Friars Minor, they should forthwith be brought to him.

At the same time the spirit of Francis appeared to two Brothers, commanding them to go without delay to the Sultan and to give him Holy Baptism for the salvation of his soul.

In haste they departed and went across the sea and were at once conducted into the Sultan's presence.

And when he saw them he was filled with joy, saying:

"Now I know of a truth that God has sent His servants for my salvation, according to the promise of Francis."

Therefore he received instruction in the Faith and Baptism from those two Brothers; and, dying soon after, of the illness from which he suffered, his soul was saved by the promise and prayer of holy Francis.

- text taken from A Little Book of Saint Francis and His Brethren, by Ethel Mary Wilmot-Buxton