"I was touched by the fittingness of this act at a time when we were on the brink of war," she said.

Madison hopes to spread the word that the soft-spoken saint was really a bit of a revolutionary and a friend to Muslims.

The subject of mutual respect and dialogue between Christianity and Islam continues to be a hot topic in today's world, but not what comes to mind when one thinks of the unassuming St. Francis, who was said to be able to quiet a flock of birds so he could talk.

"Everyone thinks 'nature mystic,'" said the professor of literature. "It's more than that."

But let's go back into Madison's own history with St. Francis.

A clipping of a quote attributed to St. Francis of Assisi used to hang on her fridge: "Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly, you are doing the impossible."

About five years ago, Madison had a cancer scare. She went to schedule the date for a biopsy, and it fell right around the time of his feast day, Oct. 4.

"It turned out no sign of cancer or pre-cancer," she recalled. "It felt miraculous. I think he looked after me."

That's why something clicked late last year, when she was looking through a list of National Endowment for the Humanities seminars for college teachers. There, listed among the workshops, was a chance to go to Assisi to study St. Francis through the frescoes of the city.

She wrote up a proposal for a different NEH grant, about St. Francis and Islam in the 13th century, and that was accepted.

One area she intends to cover in her lecture is St. Francis' acceptance of the unbelievers of his day.

"He preached, 'God is with them, treat them as your brothers and sisters," explained Madison.

Reach Mary Kaye Ritz at mritz@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8035.

Bring your pet to be blessed

In honor of St. Francis of Assisi, pet blessings will be held at these locations*:

• Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church, 5339 Kalaniana'ole Highway, has its fifth annual Pet Blessing at 10 a.m. today. There will be pet treats and activities. 486-1606.

• St. Clement's (Episcopal) Church, 1515 Wilder Ave., will hold its Blessing of the Animals at 10 a.m. today. Pets will be give them a certificate. All animals must be leashed, boxed, caged, or restrained.

• St. Andrew's Cathedral will invite churchgoers and their "guests" to the Chancel Steps for a blessing at the 10 a.m. service today. Pets must be safe and secured by a leash or cage. Stuffed toy animals and photos of your pets are welcome, too.