After renouncing everything, Francis began his new life!

He had no plan! No strategy! Just one order from Jesus: "Repair my house!"

So Francis did exactly that - literally!

He began rebuilding the church of San Damiano with his own hands!

The Begging Mason

Francis didn't know how to build! He had never worked with stones!

But he learned! He carried stones! He mixed mortar! He laid bricks!

How did he get the materials? By begging!

He went through the city singing: "Whoever gives me one stone will receive one blessing! Whoever gives me two will receive two blessings!"

People laughed! "The rich Bernardone's son became a beggar!"

But some were moved and gave stones, wood, lime.

Francis worked joyfully, singing hymns to God!

Gradually, the little church of San Damiano was restored!

Then Francis rebuilt another church: Saint Mary of the Angels (the Portiuncula)!

It was a tiny little church, abandoned in the middle of the woods!

Francis rebuilt it with love! He cleaned, repaired, made it beautiful!

And this little church became the heart of the future Franciscan order!

The Mission Revealed

One day, Francis was at the Portiuncula attending Mass.

The priest read the Gospel where Jesus sends out the apostles:

Francis was electrified! "That's it! That's what Jesus wants from me!"

He threw away his shoes! He threw away his staff! He kept only a simple tunic!

He tied a rope around his waist as a belt!

"I will live the Gospel literally!" Francis decided.

And he went out preaching: "Repent! The Kingdom of God is near! Peace and good!"

The First Followers

At first, people thought Francis was crazy!

"Look at the madman who gave up everything to live like a beggar!"

But some perceived something different in him! An inexplicable joy! A deep peace!

In 1208, a rich man named Bernard of Quintavalle was intrigued.

"Why is Francis so happy being so poor? I must find out!"

He invited Francis to dinner and to sleep at his house.

During the night, he pretended to sleep, but watched Francis.

Francis spent the entire night praying!

Kneeling, with his arms open, he repeated: "My God and my All! My God and my All!"

Bernard was deeply touched! "This man truly knows God!"

The next day, Bernard said: "Francis, I want to live like you! Teach me!"

Francis was happy! "Let's ask Jesus what He wants!"

They went to the church, randomly opened the Gospel three times, and read:

1. "If you would be perfect, sell all and give to the poor!"

2. "Take nothing for the journey!"

3. "Whoever would follow me, let him deny himself!"

Bernard sold everything he had and gave to the poor!

He wore a simple tunic like Francis!

Thus was born the second Franciscan!

Soon came the third: Peter Catani, a priest and Doctor of Law!

Then came Giles, a simple man from the countryside!

In a few months, there were 12 friars! Like the 12 apostles!

Francis called them Friars Minor - because they should be the lesser ones, the most humble!

The Radical Life

The friars lived in a radically simple way!

They had no house! They slept in barns, caves, under trees!

They had no money! They begged for food or worked for it!

They had no property! Everything was everyone's!

They spent the day preaching, helping the poor, caring for lepers!

And praying much! Constantly praising God!

People were scandalized: "These men are crazy!"

But others were moved: "These men are saints!"

Saint Clare

In 1212, a young noblewoman from Assisi named Clare heard Francis preach.

She was 18 years old, beautiful, rich, from an important family!

Her parents wanted to marry her to a wealthy nobleman!

But Clare didn't want that! She wanted to follow Jesus like Francis!

Secretly, she met with Francis: "I want to live like you!"

Francis was surprised! "But you're a woman! You can't live like us in the woods!"

Clare insisted: "Jesus also calls me! I must follow!"

Francis and Clare planned everything in secret!

On Palm Sunday night, when everyone was sleeping, Clare ran away from home!

She ran through the dark to the Portiuncula!

There, Francis and the friars waited for her with lit candles!

Clare knelt! Francis cut her long golden hair!

He gave her a simple tunic and veil!

Clare had become the bride of Christ!

Clare's family was furious! "Come home immediately!"

They came armed to get her! But Clare clung to the altar!

"I won't! I belong to Christ now!"

She showed her shaved head! Her relatives were shocked!

They couldn't drag her from the altar - it would be sacrilege!

They had to accept it! Clare was free!

Papal Approval

In 1209, Francis had 12 friars! He decided: "We need the Pope's approval!"

He wrote a simple Rule - basically, to live the Gospel to the letter!

He went with the friars to Rome, walking on foot!

When they arrived before Pope Innocent III, they were dirty, poor, ragged!

The cardinals laughed: "Who are these beggars?"

But the Pope looked at Francis attentively...

The night before, the Pope had a dream!

He dreamed that the Basilica of St. John Lateran (Rome's cathedral) was falling!

And a small, poor man was holding it on his shoulders, preventing its fall!

When he saw Francis, the Pope recognized: "It's him! The man from the dream!"

Francis humbly asked: "Holy Father, we only want to live the Gospel!"

The Pope was touched! "You are crazy... but it's the madness of Christ! I approve!"

And thus, the Order of Friars Minor was officially approved!

Francis and the Sultan

In 1219, during the Fifth Crusade, Francis did something extraordinary!

He went to Egypt during the war! He wanted to preach to Sultan Al-Kamil!

Everyone said: "Francis, you'll be killed! The Muslims won't listen!"

But Francis went! He crossed the battle lines!

He was captured! Brought before the Sultan!

The Sultan was intrigued by this strange, poor, but joyful man!

"Why did you come? To convert me?"

Francis answered with respect: "I came to tell you about Jesus Christ!"

And he preached about Jesus with so much love that the Sultan was enchanted!

He didn't convert, but he became Francis's friend!

He offered him gifts! Francis refused everything!

"I don't want gold! I only want you to know Jesus!"

The Sultan was impressed: "I've never met a Christian like this! If all were like you, I would convert!"

He set Francis free and protected Christians in his lands!

The Growth of the Order

When Francis returned from Egypt, he was shocked!

The Order had grown to thousands of friars!

There were convents, schools, organized structures!

Francis was sad: "We're becoming rich again! We're losing simplicity!"

He tried to return to radical poverty! But the Order was too large!

Francis understood: he needed to let others lead!

He resigned from governing the Order and returned to being a simple friar!