THE SCULPTURE OF THE CREATION GARDEN

St. reverence Francis of for Assisi all creation died in which 1226, he but promoted the values during of peace, his lifetime, justice, and and which form the core of Franciscan tradition, have never been more timely than they are today. Francis was an anachronism in the age of crusades, actively living the teachings of Jesus, ever respectful of diverse religions, races, and ethnicities. In an effort to bridge social, religious and cultural divides, he called for just profits and wages, protested against the tactics of the Christian crusaders at Damieta, and met with the Sultan, Malik al-Kamil, actions beautifully expressed in his petition, “Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace” (Forest, par. 13). © Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden