The Return of St. Francis’ Tunic to Egypt: A Spiritual Journey
By Joseph Tulloch
Imagine following in the footsteps of a legendary figure from history. That’s exactly what is happening as St. Francis’ tunic, worn during his visit to Egypt in 1219, is making a return to the country that holds so much significance in his life.
Almost 800 years later, a piece of the humble garment – now considered a second-class relic of the saint – arrived in Cairo on the 23rd of May. From there, it will travel to Alexandria, Minya, Assiut, Qena, Luxor, and then back to Italy on the 2nd of June.
Walking in St. Francis’ Footsteps
The relic, now in possession of Franciscan friars from Tuscany, marks the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ stigmata. Anthony Amen, a youth representative for the Egyptian Franciscans, expressed the event’s purpose of bringing back the spirituality of Saint Francis. He hopes that this encounter with the relics will inspire the Church in Egypt to walk in St. Francis’ footsteps.
The Saint’s Encounter with the Sultan
St. Francis’ visit to Egypt is famously remembered for his meeting with Sultan al-Kamel, the ruler of Egypt at the time. Despite the tensions of the Crusades, the saint ventured behind enemy lines to spend time with the Muslim leader. This act of dialogue and understanding set a powerful example.
Anthony Amen highlights the progress made in interreligious dialogue between Christians and Muslims in Egypt, especially in recent years. Commemorating the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ encounter with the Sultan has paved the way for meaningful dialogues between leaders and youth representatives from both communities.
Listen to our interview with Anthony Amen
This journey of the relic signals a renewed commitment to fostering peace and understanding between different faiths, carrying forward the legacy of St. Francis in a world that continues to seek unity and harmony.
