Saint Francis of Assisi
vatican.va, Benedict XVI, general audience of January 27, 2010
Francis, the son of a rich merchant of Assisi, left everything to follow Jesus in poverty. He loved the poor and all creatures, and at Christmas in 1223, in Greccio, he set up the first Nativity scene. vatican.va, Benedict XVI, general audience of January 27, 2010
The story, in plain words
Francis was born in Assisi, in Italy, around the year 1182. His father was a cloth merchant, and the family was rich. vatican.va, Benedict XVI, January 27, 2010
As a young man he went to war and was taken prisoner. When he came back to Assisi, little by little his life changed. vatican.va, Benedict XVI, January 27, 2010
One day he got down from his horse and gave the kiss of peace to a man with leprosy. vatican.va, Benedict XVI, January 27, 2010
It is said that in the little church of San Damiano, Christ spoke to him from the crucifix. He asked Francis to repair his Church, which was in ruins. vatican.va,…
The rest of the story is part of the subscription.
See the mapTo talk about together
- Francis gave up his father’s inheritance to follow Jesus. What things are hardest for us to let go of?
- Francis called the sun, the water and the earth his brothers and sisters. How do we take care of what God created, here at home?
- For the child: When you set up the Nativity scene, which figure do you want to put in place?