St. Francis for Kids (Saint Francis Catholic Bedtime Story)
In this Juice Box bedtime story, kids meet St. Francis of Assisi and hear how a prayer before a crucifix changed his whole life, teaching families that God can call us to love, serve, and rebuild with joy. Stories like this help children make room in their hearts for the truth, because good stories capture attention and engage the imagination, giving families a fuller picture than short, scattered ideas.
Who Is St. Francis and Why Is He Important for Kids?
This Saint Francis story for kids begins with Francesco (Francis) praying in a quiet, broken church, staring at the crucifix. Then he hears Jesus speak: “Repair my Church.” Francis takes the words seriously and decides to start rebuilding.
Francis gives up his old life and tries to obey God, but people don’t understand him, especially his father, who is angry when Francis uses cloth and money to help repair the church of San Damiano. Francis is brought before the bishop, and in a brave moment, he chooses God over his old identity.
Francis returns to San Damiano and begins rebuilding stone by stone with his hammer, nails, and steady work. And he’s not alone for long; others begin to join him, and the work becomes bigger than one person.
For kids, St. Francis shows that following God can feel scary at first, but obedience brings freedom, courage, and a heart ready to serve.
Key Takeaways
- St. Francis of Assisi hears Jesus say, “Repair my Church,” while praying before the crucifix, and he chooses to listen.
- Francis gives up his old life to follow God, even when people don’t understand him and think he’s making a bad choice.
- Francis faces conflict with his father and learns that doing the right thing can cost something, but it can also make you truly free.
- With the bishop’s guidance, Francis lets go of what he once clung to and begins living for God with a new kind of joy.
- Francis rebuilds the church of San Damiano stone by stone, showing kids that big missions start with small, faithful steps.
- The moral is simple: when God asks you to love and serve, you don’t need to be “big” to begin, you just need to say yes and keep going.
Episode Summary
This story starts in silence. Francesco is alone in a broken church, gazing at the crucifix, remembering how empty his old life felt. Then everything changes with one sentence from Jesus: “Repair my Church.”
Francis looks around and sees missing stones and scattered pieces. So he starts there. He tries to gather what he can to rebuild San Damiano, but his new mission causes trouble. His father is furious and drags him before the bishop, accusing Francis of being reckless and untrustworthy.
Instead of answering with anger, Francis chooses a different kind of bravery. In front of the bishop and the town, he doesn’t try to “win” the argument. He lets go of who he used to be and chooses God as his Father. It’s a choice that shows faith sometimes means trusting God even when it feels uncomfortable.
Then Francis goes back to the church and begins rebuilding for real: hammer, stones, nails, and steady work. Soon, other people are inspired and join him. The episode lands a kid-sized truth: God often changes the world through humble people who keep doing the next right thing.
Episode Highlights
- 0:00 – St. Francis Prays Before the Crucifix
- 0:37 – Francis Remembers His Past
- 1:47 – Jesus Says Repair My Church
- 2:10 – Francis Sees the Broken Church
- 2:39 – Walking Through Assisi
- 3:18 – Francis Goes to His Father’s Shop
- 4:30 – Pietro Finds Francis Selling Cloth
- 5:23 – Francis Wants to Repair San Damiano
- 5:46 – Francis Is Taken to the Bishop
- 6:47 – Francis Explains What God Asked
- 7:15 – The Bishop Tells Francis to Trust God
- 7:46 – Francis Gives Everything Up
- 8:32 – Francis Walks Into the Woods
- 9:04 – Francis Feels Truly Free
- 9:37 – Francis Is Mocked and Hurt
- 10:19 – Francis Keeps Singing
- 11:00 – Francis Asks for Building Supplies
- 12:01 – Francis Starts Rebuilding San Damiano
- 12:20 – Bernard Joins Francis
- 13:01 – Let’s Rebuild
Transcript
[00:00:01 --> 00:00:02] (soft meditative music)
[00:00:02 --> 00:00:05] The silent echo of the hollow church resonated
[00:00:05 --> 00:00:08] in Francesco's ears.
[00:00:08 --> 00:00:11] His weary eyes would have fallen to the weight of sleep
[00:00:11 --> 00:00:13] had they not been fixed on the crucifix.
[00:00:14 --> 00:00:19] He stared at the image of Jesus, pierced, bleeding,
[00:00:19 --> 00:00:21] yet docile to the Father.
[00:00:22 --> 00:00:26] Francis looked down at his own hands, dry, healthy,
[00:00:26 --> 00:00:30] the hands which he had employed in so many sins.
[00:00:31 --> 00:00:33] He looked back up to the crucifix
[00:00:33 --> 00:00:36] and was flooded with memories from his life.
[00:00:37 --> 00:00:40] He remembered the foul stench of the dungeon.
[00:00:40 --> 00:00:43] His heart ached when he remembered sitting all alone,
[00:00:43 --> 00:00:45] cold and abandoned.
[00:00:45 --> 00:00:48] Only after a year was his ransom paid.
[00:00:48 --> 00:00:52] A whole year of his life with nothing to do but pray,
[00:00:52 --> 00:00:53] and he did it.
[00:00:55 --> 00:00:59] "Jesus, you were there and I didn't see you,"
[00:00:59 --> 00:01:00] he said to himself.
[00:01:02 --> 00:01:05] He remembered the many nights he had spent with friends
[00:01:05 --> 00:01:06] leading them into sin.
[00:01:07 --> 00:01:11] "Jesus, you were there and I spat on you,"
[00:01:11 --> 00:01:12] he said to himself.
[00:01:13 --> 00:01:14] He remembered the rush he felt
[00:01:14 --> 00:01:18] as he dawned his finest armor, mounted his donkey,
[00:01:18 --> 00:01:19] and rode off to battle,
[00:01:19 --> 00:01:22] a rush that was quickly put to an end
[00:01:22 --> 00:01:24] when he had that faded dream.
[00:01:25 --> 00:01:28] "Jesus, only then did I see you."
[00:01:29 --> 00:01:31] Francesco closed his eyes,
[00:01:31 --> 00:01:33] causing moisture to turn to tears,
[00:01:33 --> 00:01:35] which rolled down his unshaven cheeks.
[00:01:37 --> 00:01:38] He opened his eyes
[00:01:38 --> 00:01:41] and stared at the crucifix, saying nothing.
[00:01:41 --> 00:01:46] Only pondering the image of Jesus crucified for him.
[00:01:47 --> 00:01:50] "Francesco, repair my church."
[00:01:52 --> 00:01:55] Francesco stared at the crucifix.
[00:01:56 --> 00:01:59] "Francesco, repair my church."
[00:02:02 --> 00:02:06] Francesco stood up, genuflected, and left the church.
[00:02:08 --> 00:02:10] (door jostles)
[00:02:10 --> 00:02:12] Francesco turned around
[00:02:12 --> 00:02:15] and examined the large exterior of the church.
[00:02:15 --> 00:02:19] He noticed many stones missing from the facade.
[00:02:19 --> 00:02:22] He walked up and put his finger in one of the holes,
[00:02:22 --> 00:02:25] causing dust to sprinkle onto the ground.
[00:02:25 --> 00:02:27] "Hmm," he said to himself.
[00:02:28 --> 00:02:32] He reached into his empty pockets, feeling only cloth.
[00:02:33 --> 00:02:37] Francesco looked down the road as an idea came to mind.
[00:02:39 --> 00:02:42] He started walking down the winding roads of Assisi,
[00:02:42 --> 00:02:45] looking down the hillside at the rolling fields
[00:02:45 --> 00:02:48] and pondering the creative brilliance of God.
[00:02:48 --> 00:02:51] He looked up at the countless stars,
[00:02:51 --> 00:02:54] reflecting on how small he was in the scope of the world.
[00:02:55 --> 00:02:59] His mind flashed to an image of his old armor
[00:02:59 --> 00:03:00] decorated in gold.
[00:03:01 --> 00:03:04] Francesco The Great, he wanted to be called.
[00:03:06 --> 00:03:08] He looked back up at the sky.
[00:03:08 --> 00:03:12] "Have mercy, Lord," he whispered quietly.
[00:03:13 --> 00:03:15] Francesco turned around a sharp corner
[00:03:15 --> 00:03:18] and walked down another winding stone road.
[00:03:18 --> 00:03:22] He came to a small storefront with a red awning.
[00:03:22 --> 00:03:22] (keys jingling)
[00:03:22 --> 00:03:25] He reached in his pocket, pulled out his key,
[00:03:25 --> 00:03:26] and used it to open the door.
[00:03:28 --> 00:03:31] He extended his hands, feeling for his desk.
[00:03:31 --> 00:03:34] His hands found their way to the desk drawer.
[00:03:34 --> 00:03:37] He opened it, retrieved his matches,
[00:03:37 --> 00:03:39] struck one and lit a candle.
[00:03:39 --> 00:03:43] He turned around, opened the creaky closet door
[00:03:43 --> 00:03:45] and sifted through a pile of cloth.
[00:03:47 --> 00:03:51] "Hmm," he murmured to himself, looking for the perfect type.
[00:03:51 --> 00:03:52] "Hmm, hmm."
[00:03:54 --> 00:03:56] He kept looking and looking until...
[00:03:58 --> 00:04:00] "Pietro, how do you do?"
[00:04:00 --> 00:04:03] "Very well, and you," responded Pietro.
[00:04:04 --> 00:04:06] "Really? How interesting."
[00:04:07 --> 00:04:10] "Should I not be well," asked Pietro.
[00:04:10 --> 00:04:12] "Well, I thought with that boy of yours running around
[00:04:12 --> 00:04:16] like a mad man, you might be a bit ashamed."
[00:04:17 --> 00:04:20] Pietro stood silently, flinching his teeth.
[00:04:21 --> 00:04:24] "Francesco," he whispered angrily.
[00:04:26 --> 00:04:29] Pietro began to stomp down the Assisian roads,
[00:04:29 --> 00:04:30] breathing heavily.
[00:04:30 --> 00:04:33] He turned around when he heard a familiar voice
[00:04:33 --> 00:04:34] in the distance.
[00:04:34 --> 00:04:38] "Sir, I noticed you have a tear in your trousers.
[00:04:38 --> 00:04:40] I've got some cloth right here.
[00:04:40 --> 00:04:42] I'll sell it to you for a fair price."
[00:04:43 --> 00:04:47] Pietro fumed as he saw his son selling cloth on the streets.
[00:04:48 --> 00:04:50] "Francesco!"
[00:04:51 --> 00:04:53] "Papa?" asked Francesco.
[00:04:54 --> 00:04:55] "Francesco."
[00:04:56 --> 00:04:58] "Hello, Father."
[00:04:58 --> 00:05:01] "Francesco, what are you holding?"
[00:05:01 --> 00:05:03] "Money," said Francesco.
[00:05:03 --> 00:05:05] "Where did you get that money?"
[00:05:05 --> 00:05:08] "A sale," said Francesco.
[00:05:08 --> 00:05:10] "A sale of what?"
[00:05:10 --> 00:05:13] "Cloth," said Francesco.
[00:05:13 --> 00:05:15] "Cloth from where?"
[00:05:15 --> 00:05:16] "The business."
[00:05:16 --> 00:05:18] "My business?"
[00:05:18 --> 00:05:21] "I thought it was our business."
[00:05:21 --> 00:05:23] "What do you need the money for?"
[00:05:23 --> 00:05:27] "I want to repair the church of San Damiano.
[00:05:27 --> 00:05:29] It's very old, and Jesus told me."
[00:05:29 --> 00:05:33] Pietro inhaled sharply and grabbed Francesco by the hair.
[00:05:33 --> 00:05:35] "Get over here."
[00:05:35 --> 00:05:37] Francesco's father dragged him through town,
[00:05:37 --> 00:05:39] murmuring to himself,
[00:05:39 --> 00:05:42] "I can't believe my son is acting this way.
[00:05:42 --> 00:05:43] This is an embarrassment.
[00:05:43 --> 00:05:46] Nobody's going to respect me ever again."
[00:05:46 --> 00:05:49] As Pietro and Francesco arrived at the cathedral,
[00:05:49 --> 00:05:53] the bishop of Assisi was already on his way out.
[00:05:53 --> 00:05:57] "Your Excellency," shouted Francesco's father.
[00:05:57 --> 00:05:59] "Yes?" said the bishop.
[00:05:59 --> 00:06:02] "My son is a scoundrel."
[00:06:02 --> 00:06:04] "What did he do," asked the bishop.
[00:06:04 --> 00:06:08] "He, well, he sold cloth."
[00:06:09 --> 00:06:12] "He sold cloth," asked the bishop.
[00:06:12 --> 00:06:13] "Yes."
[00:06:14 --> 00:06:16] "Isn't that what you do for a living?"
[00:06:17 --> 00:06:22] "Yes, but he sold cloth from my business."
[00:06:22 --> 00:06:24] "Doesn't he work there?"
[00:06:24 --> 00:06:25] "Yes."
[00:06:26 --> 00:06:30] "Isn't that a job well done," asked the bishop.
[00:06:30 --> 00:06:33] "He took the cloth from my shop and sold it
[00:06:33 --> 00:06:36] so that he could repair some church."
[00:06:36 --> 00:06:37] "I see."
[00:06:37 --> 00:06:40] "He's a thief."
[00:06:40 --> 00:06:42] The bishop looked at Francesco.
[00:06:42 --> 00:06:44] "Hello, son."
[00:06:44 --> 00:06:47] "Hello, your Excellency," said Francesco.
[00:06:47 --> 00:06:50] "Why did you take the cloth from your father's shop?"
[00:06:50 --> 00:06:52] "Well, your Excellency,
[00:06:52 --> 00:06:55] the Lord asked me to repair his church.
[00:06:55 --> 00:06:56] I was trying to get some money
[00:06:56 --> 00:06:59] to do some work on San Damiano."
[00:07:00 --> 00:07:02] "I see," said the bishop.
[00:07:02 --> 00:07:05] "I did not mean any harm by it," said Francesco.
[00:07:05 --> 00:07:08] "I trust not," said the bishop.
[00:07:08 --> 00:07:09] "You're a good young man.
[00:07:09 --> 00:07:10] You're doing a good thing,
[00:07:10 --> 00:07:13] but it looks like you upset your father."
[00:07:13 --> 00:07:15] "You could say that again."
[00:07:15 --> 00:07:18] "Give him the money you made on the cloth
[00:07:18 --> 00:07:20] and trust that God will provide."
[00:07:20 --> 00:07:22] "He will, I know it."
[00:07:22 --> 00:07:25] Francesco looked at the bishop.
[00:07:25 --> 00:07:28] He looked deeply into his father's eyes.
[00:07:28 --> 00:07:31] The eyes of a father which looked only at his eyes,
[00:07:31 --> 00:07:34] but never at his heart.
[00:07:34 --> 00:07:37] The eyes of a mortal man that would one day die.
[00:07:37 --> 00:07:39] He looked down at the clothes
[00:07:39 --> 00:07:42] with which his father had provided him.
[00:07:42 --> 00:07:46] He looked back up at his father one last time
[00:07:46 --> 00:07:47] and began to take them off.
[00:07:49 --> 00:07:53] "Francesco, what are you doing," asked Pietro.
[00:07:53 --> 00:07:58] "Pietro Bernardone is no longer my father."
[00:07:58 --> 00:08:01] "What are you talking about?"
[00:08:01 --> 00:08:05] "From now on, I can say with complete freedom,
[00:08:05 --> 00:08:08] our Father, who art in heaven."
[00:08:08 --> 00:08:11] Francesco had stripped down only to rags.
[00:08:11 --> 00:08:15] Among the confused crowd, he saw a young man,
[00:08:15 --> 00:08:18] very short and thin, with a tear rolling down his cheek.
[00:08:18 --> 00:08:23] In his eyes, Francesco saw all the longing in the world.
[00:08:23 --> 00:08:27] Francesco smiled at the young man, then at his father,
[00:08:27 --> 00:08:30] turned away and began to sing.
[00:08:30 --> 00:08:32] ♪ Ah ♪
[00:08:32 --> 00:08:34] He walked off into the freezing woods,
[00:08:34 --> 00:08:37] leaving his father and his clothes behind.
[00:08:37 --> 00:08:41] Pietro stared, his mouth hanging open,
[00:08:41 --> 00:08:43] as his son left him.
[00:08:43 --> 00:08:46] He felt a tap on his shoulder.
[00:08:46 --> 00:08:49] He turned around and saw the thin teary-eyed young man.
[00:08:50 --> 00:08:54] "Pardon me," said the young man, "My name is Bernard.
[00:08:54 --> 00:08:56] I think you are misunderstanding what-"
[00:08:56 --> 00:08:59] "Don't pay any attention to him," yelled Pietro
[00:08:59 --> 00:09:02] as he stormed off, kicking his son's clothes in the dirt.
[00:09:04 --> 00:09:09] For the first time ever, Francesco truly felt free.
[00:09:09 --> 00:09:12] He looked up to heaven, threw his arms in the air,
[00:09:12 --> 00:09:15] and basked in the glory of God.
[00:09:15 --> 00:09:19] "Father, you are enough," he yelled.
[00:09:19 --> 00:09:20] As Francesco walked through the woods,
[00:09:20 --> 00:09:23] he looked down at the stones beneath his feet.
[00:09:24 --> 00:09:25] "Hmm."
[00:09:25 --> 00:09:27] He picked one up.
[00:09:27 --> 00:09:30] He examined the stone from every angle.
[00:09:30 --> 00:09:32] He picked up another and another and another.
[00:09:33 --> 00:09:36] Just as he was about to walk off with his stones,
[00:09:36 --> 00:09:37] he heard a voice behind him.
[00:09:37 --> 00:09:41] "Well, well, well, if it isn't Francesco."
[00:09:41 --> 00:09:45] Francesco turned and saw a group of three men.
[00:09:45 --> 00:09:46] He had seen these guys before
[00:09:46 --> 00:09:49] and knew they were up to no good.
[00:09:49 --> 00:09:51] "Gentlemen," he said as he nodded
[00:09:51 --> 00:09:53] and began to walk past them.
[00:09:53 --> 00:09:56] "What happened to his clothes," teased one of the men.
[00:09:57 --> 00:10:01] As Francesco passed by, one of the men stuck his foot out.
[00:10:01 --> 00:10:04] Francesco tripped and thudded to the ground.
[00:10:04 --> 00:10:06] "Get him," yelled the men,
[00:10:06 --> 00:10:09] as they hit him and punched him and kicked him.
[00:10:11 --> 00:10:14] They picked up Francesco and threw him in the snowbank.
[00:10:15 --> 00:10:19] The men ran away, leaving Francesco in the chilly snowbank.
[00:10:19 --> 00:10:22] But Francesco began to sing.
[00:10:22 --> 00:10:23] ♪ Ah ♪
[00:10:23 --> 00:10:24] Francesco pulled himself
[00:10:24 --> 00:10:26] out of the chilly snow.
[00:10:26 --> 00:10:30] "Cold and chill, bless the Lord," he exclaimed,
[00:10:30 --> 00:10:32] as he continued his song.
[00:10:32 --> 00:10:34] He walked through the snowy woods,
[00:10:34 --> 00:10:38] sticks crackling beneath his feet, singing all the while.
[00:10:38 --> 00:10:40] He kept his eyes on the ground,
[00:10:40 --> 00:10:42] searching for big round stones.
[00:10:44 --> 00:10:45] After collecting his stones,
[00:10:45 --> 00:10:49] Francesco sang his way back into the city of Assisi.
[00:10:49 --> 00:10:53] He heard a child say, "Mommy, why is that man singing
[00:10:53 --> 00:10:54] with no clothes on?"
[00:10:55 --> 00:11:00] He kept on singing, heading back up the winding road.
[00:11:00 --> 00:11:01] On his way back to the church,
[00:11:01 --> 00:11:04] he entered a small storefront.
[00:11:04 --> 00:11:07] "Excuse me, sir," he asked the shopkeeper,
[00:11:07 --> 00:11:08] "I don't have any money.
[00:11:08 --> 00:11:10] You see, I've given up everything to-"
[00:11:10 --> 00:11:13] "Everything," asked the shopkeeper.
[00:11:13 --> 00:11:16] "Everything," said Francesco, "For God."
[00:11:16 --> 00:11:17] "Wow."
[00:11:17 --> 00:11:19] "Could I take a hammer, some nails,
[00:11:19 --> 00:11:22] and a few other building materials."
[00:11:22 --> 00:11:25] "What are you going to do with it," asked the shopkeeper.
[00:11:25 --> 00:11:29] "San Damiano, the church, I'm going to fix it."
[00:11:29 --> 00:11:33] "Well, I guess I can't say no to that," said the shopkeeper
[00:11:33 --> 00:11:36] as he packed a basket full of building materials
[00:11:36 --> 00:11:38] and gave it to Francesco.
[00:11:38 --> 00:11:41] Francesco looked down at his pile of stones.
[00:11:41 --> 00:11:43] "I don't want to ask too much,
[00:11:43 --> 00:11:46] but do you have extra stones as well?"
[00:11:46 --> 00:11:48] "Sure," said the shopkeeper,
[00:11:48 --> 00:11:50] "I'll have some of my workers deliver it to you
[00:11:50 --> 00:11:51] at the church."
[00:11:51 --> 00:11:55] "Praise God for you, sir," said Francesco.
[00:11:55 --> 00:11:57] He took the basket and exited the shop.
[00:11:59 --> 00:12:01] He continued up the winding road.
[00:12:01 --> 00:12:04] When he arrived at the church of San Damiano,
[00:12:04 --> 00:12:06] he stood outside the door and looked up
[00:12:06 --> 00:12:08] at the exterior of the church.
[00:12:08 --> 00:12:11] He spotted a missing stone near the door.
[00:12:11 --> 00:12:14] "Hmm," he said as he looked down at his basket.
[00:12:14 --> 00:12:16] He removed a stone and a hammer,
[00:12:16 --> 00:12:18] approached the gap in the wall,
[00:12:18 --> 00:12:20] and began to hammer the new stone in.
[00:12:20 --> 00:12:22] "Francesco?"
[00:12:22 --> 00:12:26] Francesco stopped hammering for a moment, but heard nothing.
[00:12:26 --> 00:12:27] He continued.
[00:12:28 --> 00:12:29] "Francesco?"
[00:12:29 --> 00:12:32] This time Francesco was sure he heard something.
[00:12:32 --> 00:12:35] He turned around and saw a young man standing behind him.
[00:12:36 --> 00:12:40] "Hello," said Francesco, "What's your name?"
[00:12:40 --> 00:12:41] "Bernard."
[00:12:42 --> 00:12:44] His voice was so soft,
[00:12:44 --> 00:12:47] Francesco felt as though he was talking to a child.
[00:12:47 --> 00:12:49] "Hello, Bernard."
[00:12:49 --> 00:12:50] "May I join you?"
[00:12:51 --> 00:12:53] Francesco smiled.
[00:12:53 --> 00:12:55] He pointed at the basket.
[00:12:55 --> 00:12:58] The young man picked up a stone and hammer.
[00:12:58 --> 00:13:01] Francesco looked at young Bernard.
[00:13:01 --> 00:13:02] He looked up at the church.
[00:13:03 --> 00:13:04] "Let's rebuild."
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[00:00:02 --> 00:00:05] The silent echo of the hollow church resonated
[00:00:05 --> 00:00:08] in Francesco's ears.
[00:00:08 --> 00:00:11] His weary eyes would have fallen to the weight of sleep
[00:00:11 --> 00:00:13] had they not been fixed on the crucifix.
[00:00:14 --> 00:00:19] He stared at the image of Jesus, pierced, bleeding,
[00:00:19 --> 00:00:21] yet docile to the Father.
[00:00:22 --> 00:00:26] Francis looked down at his own hands, dry, healthy,
[00:00:26 --> 00:00:30] the hands which he had employed in so many sins.
[00:00:31 --> 00:00:33] He looked back up to the crucifix
[00:00:33 --> 00:00:36] and was flooded with memories from his life.
[00:00:37 --> 00:00:40] He remembered the foul stench of the dungeon.
[00:00:40 --> 00:00:43] His heart ached when he remembered sitting all alone,
[00:00:43 --> 00:00:45] cold and abandoned.
[00:00:45 --> 00:00:48] Only after a year was his ransom paid.
[00:00:48 --> 00:00:52] A whole year of his life with nothing to do but pray,
[00:00:52 --> 00:00:53] and he did it.
[00:00:55 --> 00:00:59] "Jesus, you were there and I didn't see you,"
[00:00:59 --> 00:01:00] he said to himself.
[00:01:02 --> 00:01:05] He remembered the many nights he had spent with friends
[00:01:05 --> 00:01:06] leading them into sin.
[00:01:07 --> 00:01:11] "Jesus, you were there and I spat on you,"
[00:01:11 --> 00:01:12] he said to himself.
[00:01:13 --> 00:01:14] He remembered the rush he felt
[00:01:14 --> 00:01:18] as he dawned his finest armor, mounted his donkey,
[00:01:18 --> 00:01:19] and rode off to battle,
[00:01:19 --> 00:01:22] a rush that was quickly put to an end
[00:01:22 --> 00:01:24] when he had that faded dream.
[00:01:25 --> 00:01:28] "Jesus, only then did I see you."
[00:01:29 --> 00:01:31] Francesco closed his eyes,
[00:01:31 --> 00:01:33] causing moisture to turn to tears,
[00:01:33 --> 00:01:35] which rolled down his unshaven cheeks.
[00:01:37 --> 00:01:38] He opened his eyes
[00:01:38 --> 00:01:41] and stared at the crucifix, saying nothing.
[00:01:41 --> 00:01:46] Only pondering the image of Jesus crucified for him.
[00:01:47 --> 00:01:50] "Francesco, repair my church."
[00:01:52 --> 00:01:55] Francesco stared at the crucifix.
[00:01:56 --> 00:01:59] "Francesco, repair my church."
[00:02:02 --> 00:02:06] Francesco stood up, genuflected, and left the church.
[00:02:08 --> 00:02:10] (door jostles)
[00:02:10 --> 00:02:12] Francesco turned around
[00:02:12 --> 00:02:15] and examined the large exterior of the church.
[00:02:15 --> 00:02:19] He noticed many stones missing from the facade.
[00:02:19 --> 00:02:22] He walked up and put his finger in one of the holes,
[00:02:22 --> 00:02:25] causing dust to sprinkle onto the ground.
[00:02:25 --> 00:02:27] "Hmm," he said to himself.
[00:02:28 --> 00:02:32] He reached into his empty pockets, feeling only cloth.
[00:02:33 --> 00:02:37] Francesco looked down the road as an idea came to mind.
[00:02:39 --> 00:02:42] He started walking down the winding roads of Assisi,
[00:02:42 --> 00:02:45] looking down the hillside at the rolling fields
[00:02:45 --> 00:02:48] and pondering the creative brilliance of God.
[00:02:48 --> 00:02:51] He looked up at the countless stars,
[00:02:51 --> 00:02:54] reflecting on how small he was in the scope of the world.
[00:02:55 --> 00:02:59] His mind flashed to an image of his old armor
[00:02:59 --> 00:03:00] decorated in gold.
[00:03:01 --> 00:03:04] Francesco The Great, he wanted to be called.
[00:03:06 --> 00:03:08] He looked back up at the sky.
[00:03:08 --> 00:03:12] "Have mercy, Lord," he whispered quietly.
[00:03:13 --> 00:03:15] Francesco turned around a sharp corner
[00:03:15 --> 00:03:18] and walked down another winding stone road.
[00:03:18 --> 00:03:22] He came to a small storefront with a red awning.
[00:03:22 --> 00:03:22] (keys jingling)
[00:03:22 --> 00:03:25] He reached in his pocket, pulled out his key,
[00:03:25 --> 00:03:26] and used it to open the door.
[00:03:28 --> 00:03:31] He extended his hands, feeling for his desk.
[00:03:31 --> 00:03:34] His hands found their way to the desk drawer.
[00:03:34 --> 00:03:37] He opened it, retrieved his matches,
[00:03:37 --> 00:03:39] struck one and lit a candle.
[00:03:39 --> 00:03:43] He turned around, opened the creaky closet door
[00:03:43 --> 00:03:45] and sifted through a pile of cloth.
[00:03:47 --> 00:03:51] "Hmm," he murmured to himself, looking for the perfect type.
[00:03:51 --> 00:03:52] "Hmm, hmm."
[00:03:54 --> 00:03:56] He kept looking and looking until...
[00:03:58 --> 00:04:00] "Pietro, how do you do?"
[00:04:00 --> 00:04:03] "Very well, and you," responded Pietro.
[00:04:04 --> 00:04:06] "Really? How interesting."
[00:04:07 --> 00:04:10] "Should I not be well," asked Pietro.
[00:04:10 --> 00:04:12] "Well, I thought with that boy of yours running around
[00:04:12 --> 00:04:16] like a mad man, you might be a bit ashamed."
[00:04:17 --> 00:04:20] Pietro stood silently, flinching his teeth.
[00:04:21 --> 00:04:24] "Francesco," he whispered angrily.
[00:04:26 --> 00:04:29] Pietro began to stomp down the Assisian roads,
[00:04:29 --> 00:04:30] breathing heavily.
[00:04:30 --> 00:04:33] He turned around when he heard a familiar voice
[00:04:33 --> 00:04:34] in the distance.
[00:04:34 --> 00:04:38] "Sir, I noticed you have a tear in your trousers.
[00:04:38 --> 00:04:40] I've got some cloth right here.
[00:04:40 --> 00:04:42] I'll sell it to you for a fair price."
[00:04:43 --> 00:04:47] Pietro fumed as he saw his son selling cloth on the streets.
[00:04:48 --> 00:04:50] "Francesco!"
[00:04:51 --> 00:04:53] "Papa?" asked Francesco.
[00:04:54 --> 00:04:55] "Francesco."
[00:04:56 --> 00:04:58] "Hello, Father."
[00:04:58 --> 00:05:01] "Francesco, what are you holding?"
[00:05:01 --> 00:05:03] "Money," said Francesco.
[00:05:03 --> 00:05:05] "Where did you get that money?"
[00:05:05 --> 00:05:08] "A sale," said Francesco.
[00:05:08 --> 00:05:10] "A sale of what?"
[00:05:10 --> 00:05:13] "Cloth," said Francesco.
[00:05:13 --> 00:05:15] "Cloth from where?"
[00:05:15 --> 00:05:16] "The business."
[00:05:16 --> 00:05:18] "My business?"
[00:05:18 --> 00:05:21] "I thought it was our business."
[00:05:21 --> 00:05:23] "What do you need the money for?"
[00:05:23 --> 00:05:27] "I want to repair the church of San Damiano.
[00:05:27 --> 00:05:29] It's very old, and Jesus told me."
[00:05:29 --> 00:05:33] Pietro inhaled sharply and grabbed Francesco by the hair.
[00:05:33 --> 00:05:35] "Get over here."
[00:05:35 --> 00:05:37] Francesco's father dragged him through town,
[00:05:37 --> 00:05:39] murmuring to himself,
[00:05:39 --> 00:05:42] "I can't believe my son is acting this way.
[00:05:42 --> 00:05:43] This is an embarrassment.
[00:05:43 --> 00:05:46] Nobody's going to respect me ever again."
[00:05:46 --> 00:05:49] As Pietro and Francesco arrived at the cathedral,
[00:05:49 --> 00:05:53] the bishop of Assisi was already on his way out.
[00:05:53 --> 00:05:57] "Your Excellency," shouted Francesco's father.
[00:05:57 --> 00:05:59] "Yes?" said the bishop.
[00:05:59 --> 00:06:02] "My son is a scoundrel."
[00:06:02 --> 00:06:04] "What did he do," asked the bishop.
[00:06:04 --> 00:06:08] "He, well, he sold cloth."
[00:06:09 --> 00:06:12] "He sold cloth," asked the bishop.
[00:06:12 --> 00:06:13] "Yes."
[00:06:14 --> 00:06:16] "Isn't that what you do for a living?"
[00:06:17 --> 00:06:22] "Yes, but he sold cloth from my business."
[00:06:22 --> 00:06:24] "Doesn't he work there?"
[00:06:24 --> 00:06:25] "Yes."
[00:06:26 --> 00:06:30] "Isn't that a job well done," asked the bishop.
[00:06:30 --> 00:06:33] "He took the cloth from my shop and sold it
[00:06:33 --> 00:06:36] so that he could repair some church."
[00:06:36 --> 00:06:37] "I see."
[00:06:37 --> 00:06:40] "He's a thief."
[00:06:40 --> 00:06:42] The bishop looked at Francesco.
[00:06:42 --> 00:06:44] "Hello, son."
[00:06:44 --> 00:06:47] "Hello, your Excellency," said Francesco.
[00:06:47 --> 00:06:50] "Why did you take the cloth from your father's shop?"
[00:06:50 --> 00:06:52] "Well, your Excellency,
[00:06:52 --> 00:06:55] the Lord asked me to repair his church.
[00:06:55 --> 00:06:56] I was trying to get some money
[00:06:56 --> 00:06:59] to do some work on San Damiano."
[00:07:00 --> 00:07:02] "I see," said the bishop.
[00:07:02 --> 00:07:05] "I did not mean any harm by it," said Francesco.
[00:07:05 --> 00:07:08] "I trust not," said the bishop.
[00:07:08 --> 00:07:09] "You're a good young man.
[00:07:09 --> 00:07:10] You're doing a good thing,
[00:07:10 --> 00:07:13] but it looks like you upset your father."
[00:07:13 --> 00:07:15] "You could say that again."
[00:07:15 --> 00:07:18] "Give him the money you made on the cloth
[00:07:18 --> 00:07:20] and trust that God will provide."
[00:07:20 --> 00:07:22] "He will, I know it."
[00:07:22 --> 00:07:25] Francesco looked at the bishop.
[00:07:25 --> 00:07:28] He looked deeply into his father's eyes.
[00:07:28 --> 00:07:31] The eyes of a father which looked only at his eyes,
[00:07:31 --> 00:07:34] but never at his heart.
[00:07:34 --> 00:07:37] The eyes of a mortal man that would one day die.
[00:07:37 --> 00:07:39] He looked down at the clothes
[00:07:39 --> 00:07:42] with which his father had provided him.
[00:07:42 --> 00:07:46] He looked back up at his father one last time
[00:07:46 --> 00:07:47] and began to take them off.
[00:07:49 --> 00:07:53] "Francesco, what are you doing," asked Pietro.
[00:07:53 --> 00:07:58] "Pietro Bernardone is no longer my father."
[00:07:58 --> 00:08:01] "What are you talking about?"
[00:08:01 --> 00:08:05] "From now on, I can say with complete freedom,
[00:08:05 --> 00:08:08] our Father, who art in heaven."
[00:08:08 --> 00:08:11] Francesco had stripped down only to rags.
[00:08:11 --> 00:08:15] Among the confused crowd, he saw a young man,
[00:08:15 --> 00:08:18] very short and thin, with a tear rolling down his cheek.
[00:08:18 --> 00:08:23] In his eyes, Francesco saw all the longing in the world.
[00:08:23 --> 00:08:27] Francesco smiled at the young man, then at his father,
[00:08:27 --> 00:08:30] turned away and began to sing.
[00:08:30 --> 00:08:32] ♪ Ah ♪
[00:08:32 --> 00:08:34] He walked off into the freezing woods,
[00:08:34 --> 00:08:37] leaving his father and his clothes behind.
[00:08:37 --> 00:08:41] Pietro stared, his mouth hanging open,
[00:08:41 --> 00:08:43] as his son left him.
[00:08:43 --> 00:08:46] He felt a tap on his shoulder.
[00:08:46 --> 00:08:49] He turned around and saw the thin teary-eyed young man.
[00:08:50 --> 00:08:54] "Pardon me," said the young man, "My name is Bernard.
[00:08:54 --> 00:08:56] I think you are misunderstanding what-"
[00:08:56 --> 00:08:59] "Don't pay any attention to him," yelled Pietro
[00:08:59 --> 00:09:02] as he stormed off, kicking his son's clothes in the dirt.
[00:09:04 --> 00:09:09] For the first time ever, Francesco truly felt free.
[00:09:09 --> 00:09:12] He looked up to heaven, threw his arms in the air,
[00:09:12 --> 00:09:15] and basked in the glory of God.
[00:09:15 --> 00:09:19] "Father, you are enough," he yelled.
[00:09:19 --> 00:09:20] As Francesco walked through the woods,
[00:09:20 --> 00:09:23] he looked down at the stones beneath his feet.
[00:09:24 --> 00:09:25] "Hmm."
[00:09:25 --> 00:09:27] He picked one up.
[00:09:27 --> 00:09:30] He examined the stone from every angle.
[00:09:30 --> 00:09:32] He picked up another and another and another.
[00:09:33 --> 00:09:36] Just as he was about to walk off with his stones,
[00:09:36 --> 00:09:37] he heard a voice behind him.
[00:09:37 --> 00:09:41] "Well, well, well, if it isn't Francesco."
[00:09:41 --> 00:09:45] Francesco turned and saw a group of three men.
[00:09:45 --> 00:09:46] He had seen these guys before
[00:09:46 --> 00:09:49] and knew they were up to no good.
[00:09:49 --> 00:09:51] "Gentlemen," he said as he nodded
[00:09:51 --> 00:09:53] and began to walk past them.
[00:09:53 --> 00:09:56] "What happened to his clothes," teased one of the men.
[00:09:57 --> 00:10:01] As Francesco passed by, one of the men stuck his foot out.
[00:10:01 --> 00:10:04] Francesco tripped and thudded to the ground.
[00:10:04 --> 00:10:06] "Get him," yelled the men,
[00:10:06 --> 00:10:09] as they hit him and punched him and kicked him.
[00:10:11 --> 00:10:14] They picked up Francesco and threw him in the snowbank.
[00:10:15 --> 00:10:19] The men ran away, leaving Francesco in the chilly snowbank.
[00:10:19 --> 00:10:22] But Francesco began to sing.
[00:10:22 --> 00:10:23] ♪ Ah ♪
[00:10:23 --> 00:10:24] Francesco pulled himself
[00:10:24 --> 00:10:26] out of the chilly snow.
[00:10:26 --> 00:10:30] "Cold and chill, bless the Lord," he exclaimed,
[00:10:30 --> 00:10:32] as he continued his song.
[00:10:32 --> 00:10:34] He walked through the snowy woods,
[00:10:34 --> 00:10:38] sticks crackling beneath his feet, singing all the while.
[00:10:38 --> 00:10:40] He kept his eyes on the ground,
[00:10:40 --> 00:10:42] searching for big round stones.
[00:10:44 --> 00:10:45] After collecting his stones,
[00:10:45 --> 00:10:49] Francesco sang his way back into the city of Assisi.
[00:10:49 --> 00:10:53] He heard a child say, "Mommy, why is that man singing
[00:10:53 --> 00:10:54] with no clothes on?"
[00:10:55 --> 00:11:00] He kept on singing, heading back up the winding road.
[00:11:00 --> 00:11:01] On his way back to the church,
[00:11:01 --> 00:11:04] he entered a small storefront.
[00:11:04 --> 00:11:07] "Excuse me, sir," he asked the shopkeeper,
[00:11:07 --> 00:11:08] "I don't have any money.
[00:11:08 --> 00:11:10] You see, I've given up everything to-"
[00:11:10 --> 00:11:13] "Everything," asked the shopkeeper.
[00:11:13 --> 00:11:16] "Everything," said Francesco, "For God."
[00:11:16 --> 00:11:17] "Wow."
[00:11:17 --> 00:11:19] "Could I take a hammer, some nails,
[00:11:19 --> 00:11:22] and a few other building materials."
[00:11:22 --> 00:11:25] "What are you going to do with it," asked the shopkeeper.
[00:11:25 --> 00:11:29] "San Damiano, the church, I'm going to fix it."
[00:11:29 --> 00:11:33] "Well, I guess I can't say no to that," said the shopkeeper
[00:11:33 --> 00:11:36] as he packed a basket full of building materials
[00:11:36 --> 00:11:38] and gave it to Francesco.
[00:11:38 --> 00:11:41] Francesco looked down at his pile of stones.
[00:11:41 --> 00:11:43] "I don't want to ask too much,
[00:11:43 --> 00:11:46] but do you have extra stones as well?"
[00:11:46 --> 00:11:48] "Sure," said the shopkeeper,
[00:11:48 --> 00:11:50] "I'll have some of my workers deliver it to you
[00:11:50 --> 00:11:51] at the church."
[00:11:51 --> 00:11:55] "Praise God for you, sir," said Francesco.
[00:11:55 --> 00:11:57] He took the basket and exited the shop.
[00:11:59 --> 00:12:01] He continued up the winding road.
[00:12:01 --> 00:12:04] When he arrived at the church of San Damiano,
[00:12:04 --> 00:12:06] he stood outside the door and looked up
[00:12:06 --> 00:12:08] at the exterior of the church.
[00:12:08 --> 00:12:11] He spotted a missing stone near the door.
[00:12:11 --> 00:12:14] "Hmm," he said as he looked down at his basket.
[00:12:14 --> 00:12:16] He removed a stone and a hammer,
[00:12:16 --> 00:12:18] approached the gap in the wall,
[00:12:18 --> 00:12:20] and began to hammer the new stone in.
[00:12:20 --> 00:12:22] "Francesco?"
[00:12:22 --> 00:12:26] Francesco stopped hammering for a moment, but heard nothing.
[00:12:26 --> 00:12:27] He continued.
[00:12:28 --> 00:12:29] "Francesco?"
[00:12:29 --> 00:12:32] This time Francesco was sure he heard something.
[00:12:32 --> 00:12:35] He turned around and saw a young man standing behind him.
[00:12:36 --> 00:12:40] "Hello," said Francesco, "What's your name?"
[00:12:40 --> 00:12:41] "Bernard."
[00:12:42 --> 00:12:44] His voice was so soft,
[00:12:44 --> 00:12:47] Francesco felt as though he was talking to a child.
[00:12:47 --> 00:12:49] "Hello, Bernard."
[00:12:49 --> 00:12:50] "May I join you?"
[00:12:51 --> 00:12:53] Francesco smiled.
[00:12:53 --> 00:12:55] He pointed at the basket.
[00:12:55 --> 00:12:58] The young man picked up a stone and hammer.
[00:12:58 --> 00:13:01] Francesco looked at young Bernard.
[00:13:01 --> 00:13:02] He looked up at the church.
[00:13:03 --> 00:13:04] "Let's rebuild."
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is St. Francis for kids?
St. Francis of Assisi is a Catholic saint who followed Jesus in a simple, joyful way. He listened to God's call, gave up his old life, and chose to serve others. Kids remember him for courage, humility, and a heart ready to help.
What is the Saint Francis story for kids about?
It's about a young man who hears Jesus say, "Repair my Church," while praying in front of a crucifix. Francis gives up his old life, faces misunderstanding, and starts rebuilding the church of San Damiano stone by stone. His story shows how obedience to God can lead to freedom and joy.
What does "Repair my Church" mean?
In the story, Francis starts by literally repairing a broken church building. But it also points to something bigger: helping God's people grow stronger in faith and love. It means rebuilding what's broken, inside and outside, with God's help.
Why is St. Francis important for kids?
Because kids often feel small, Francis shows that God can use humble people to do big good. His story teaches kids to listen to God, be brave when others don't understand, and take small steps that matter. It's courage with a gentle heart.
Why are Catholic bedtime stories for kids helpful?
Because stories help kids remember faith with their hearts, not just their brains. Good stories capture attention and engage the imagination, and they can offer a fuller context for truth than short, scattered messages. This is exactly why saints like Francis can feel close and real, like companions on the road of trust, prayer, and love.
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Free Sacred Heart of Jesus Worksheet For Kids
This worksheet helps kids remember his story in a fun and hands-on way. Follow along with the video as they color, cut, and act it out.
What's Inside:
Color and Cut
Create the Puppets
Perfect to use while watching the companion Juice Box video
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