SYLVANIA—The Sisters of St. Francis gathered May 10 to offer prayers for peace and understanding and to bless an icon in Queen of Peace Chapel in Sylvania.

The icon, created by Franciscan Friar Robert Lentz, depicts an event that took place in the life of Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of the Sylvania Franciscan Sisters. In 1219 Francis traveled to Damietta, Egypt, and requested a meeting with Sultan Malek al-Kamil.

“In the midst of war and conflict, these two men were able to dialogue peacefully, brother-to-brother. They came away from the encounter, not only sharing their beliefs, but also learning from one another,” says Sylvania Franciscan Sister Barbara Vano, director of campus ministry at Lourdes College.

The icon was acquired after four Sylvania Franciscans traveled to Colorado Springs in 2007 to participate in a workshop titled “Daring to Embrace the Other: Franciscans & Muslims in Dialogue.” The original icon was created for this workshop. Brother Lentz explained he wanted to create an image highlighting the fact that Francis and the sultan approached each other as equals, as brothers.

Imam Farooq Aboelzahab and other representatives from the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo were invited to participate in the gathering to bless the icon, which was open to the public.