Book II · Francis and Jesus
The Gospel
grows feet
Explore Saint Francis’s relationship with Jesus, the Gospel, San Damiano, Greccio, the cross, and the Eucharist.
Sources, context, and contemplation
A story brought close without losing the truth.
Every page is written to be clear and welcoming without flattening the complexity of history.
We distinguish documents, traditions, and legends, and always explain the origin of prayers and quotations.
Complete contents
12 paths to explore
Choose a page to begin. Follow the order or enter through the story you need most today.
The Gospel without shortcuts
Saint Francis of Assisi did not want merely to admire Jesus. He wanted every word of the Gospel to become a path, a choice, and a way of life.
Read now →Matthew 10:7–10; Matthew 19:21; Mark 8:3402
The voice of San Damiano
Before the Crucifix, Francis begins by repairing a chapel and discovers that following Jesus means rebuilding people, relationships, and communion.
Read now →John 12:24–2603
The poor God of Bethlehem
Saint Francis of Assisi discovered an immense mystery in the manger: the Son of God came without noise—small, close, and in need of care.
Read now →Luke 2:1–20 · John 1:1–1804
The night of Greccio
On Christmas night in 1223, Francis gathered a village around the manger and altar so that everyone could contemplate the humility of Jesus together.
Read now →Luke 2:1–20 · 1 Corinthians 11:23–2605
Finding Jesus among the forgotten
Francis learned that mercy does not happen from a distance: when we draw near to those left aside, Jesus himself comes to meet us.
Read now →Matthew 25:31–46 · Luke 10:25–3706
Following without possessing
Francis discovered that Gospel poverty is not abandonment: it is living with hands free to work, share, receive care, and trust God and one another.
Read now →Matthew 6:19–34 · Matthew 10:7–10 · Luke 12:13–3407
The fraternity of the disciples
Jesus gathered different people and knelt to serve them. Francis received his brothers as God’s gift and learned that fraternity means never giving up on love.
Read now →John 13:1–17, 34–35 · Acts of the Apostles 2:42–47; 4:32–3508
Bread, presence, and gratitude
Francis recognized Jesus present in the Eucharist and turned that faith into gratitude, care for simple things, and love for the Church.
Read now →John 6:51–58 · 1 Corinthians 11:23–2909
Proclaiming with your life
Francis teaches that mission begins in truthful actions, matures in listening, and finds humble words to present Jesus without placing anyone beneath us.
Read now →Matthew 5:13–16 · 10:7–14 · 28:16–20 · 1 Peter 3:15–1610
Forgiving and rebuilding peace
The peace of Jesus neither hides truth nor abandons those who were hurt: it interrupts revenge and opens a path of mercy, justice, and protection.
Read now →Matthew 5:9 · 18:15–22 · Romans 12:9–2111
Love all the way to the cross
Francis contemplated the Passion of Jesus as love that remains, descends to those who suffer, and opens a passage to the new life of the Resurrection.
Read now →John 13:1; 15:9–17; 19:25–30; 20:1–29 · Philippians 2:5–1112
Following in the footsteps of Jesus today
The final page opens into life: the way of Jesus can gain feet in the family, at school, online, in the community, and in care for all creation.
Read now →Luke 9:23 · Matthew 5:1–12 · Matthew 25:31–46 · John 13:1–17