St. Francis of Assisi and the Franciscans

A 13th century saint who dedicated his life to radical poverty as the path to the kingdom of heaven, the story of St. Francis of Assisi--whose austere lifestyle inspires not only the faithful but many environmentalists as well--is told here by members of the religious order that he founded, The Franciscans, as well as through dramatized reenactments featuring Tom Melissis as the young saint. Viewers will follow Francis Bernardone's religious conversion, witness the formation of his religious community, and learn about his spiritual charisma, most supremely manifested in his display of Christ's wounds, known as stigmata. We also see his work carried on both in Assisi and in Toronto, where members of the Franciscan order run St. Francis' Table, a restaurant dedicated to the homeless and needy, and we briefly glimpse sisters at a monastery founded by St. Clare, another follower of St. Francis. Beautifully photographed, this overly pious, intellectually-lite program will mostly only appeal to the devout. Optional. Aud: P. (J. Reed)