Francis was born into a wealthy merchant family in 1182. He was a frivolous and carefree youth when a civil war broke out in his hometown of Assisi. The commoners were fighting the nobles to win the right of full participation in government. Eventually the class warfare spilled over into the neighbouring town of Perugia. Francis went to battle, was captured, and remained a prisoner-of-war for a year. After his release, Francis no longer sought the meaningless pleasures of his youth. He wandered aimlessly, asking what God wanted him to do. This scene shows Francis kneeling before a leper. It is the beginning of his "new" life, a life totally committed to the Lord.

In his zeal for gospel perfection, Francis literally strips himself of all earthly possessions. The resulting clash of values with his parents leaves him with only the mercy of God's providence. The bishop of Assisi does not fully understand Francis' actions, but he is convinced that this earnest young man was being led by the Spirit.

Here Francis is shown with his first follower, Bernard of Quintavalle, who is a knight from a powerful noble family. They stand in the church of Saint Nicholas seeking direction from the Gospel. A dream-vision given to Francis is beginning to come true. Christ had promised Francis that if he would give up his quest for military glory, the Lord would send him many new "knights."

Francis and his first followers live in the tiny donkey shed of Rivo Torto after having their way of life officially approved by the pope in 1209. In their enthusiasm, the friars fast with great severity after the example of Francis. One brother wakes up in the middle of the night screaming that he is dying of hunger. Francis immediately wakes the others and bids them all to eat grapes with him. As they laugh and tell stories, Francis chides them not to imitate him, but rather to imitate Christ, each in his own way.

The young and noble Clare comes to Francis to begin a similar community for women. Francis cuts her hair as a sign of total consecration to God. As Francis holds the cross and scissors in his hands, his attention is drawn to her uncle Monaldo wielding his sword in the distance. Clare's family is violently opposed to her decision to become a nun, but she remains steadfast in her intimate union with Christ.

Francis journeys to the Holy Land trying to bring peace. He is standing between a Christian crusader and the Muslim sultan, Melek-el Khamil. Impressed by this holy man, the sultan honours Francis by listening to him preach the Gospel, something strictly forbidden by Muslim law. Although he does not convert, the sultan and Francis open a door of dialogue and mutual respect between different faith traditions.

In the upper half of this scene, Francis is dramatizing the nativity on Christmas eve in the little town of Greccio. According to legend, Francis' portrayal of a father carrying the infant Jesus was so tender that people miraculously saw the Christ Child come to life in Francis' arms. The lower scene shows Francis on Mount La Verna receiving the stigmata, the five wounds of Christ. This painful but loving union with Christ Crucified occurs two years before Francis' death.

The last scene is Francis' transitus, his passing from death to eternal life. He is surrounded by his brother friars, the pope, and two significant women in his life - the Abbess Clare and the Lady Jacoba. Saint Clare holds a candle to signify that she carries the light of Christ that will guide the Franciscan family after the death of its founder. The birds flying overhead form a cross, reminding us that the Gospel is to be lived and proclaimed to the ends of the earth.

Francis of Assisi was canonized a saint in 1228, two years after his death.

Clare of Assisi was canonized a saint in 1255, two years after her death.