BROTHER FIRE | Saint Francis of Assisi | EP. 8 - Clara's choice | Christian cartoons

St. Francis of Assisi presents Clara's Choice. Best rider in the village! My Broco is the best horse in the world. He's the real champion in this race. To Broco! This was the finest race we've had in years. Yes, it was very good. I still say that Nicholas is the best rider in the valley. And I would also like to add, if you don't mind, that I couldn't possibly have won if any of you were any good at riding. Seriously, though, it was great fun. I don't think you'd have had a chance without Broco. In that last curve, your horse was able to take the turn so tightly. Any other horse would have had to slow down. Who cares about races? I've won in love. I'm going to marry the beautiful Giardina. Yes, and I'll be marrying her even more beautiful sister. And when are you and Clara going to be wed? I don't know. She still hasn't given me an answer. I think she's changed her mind. Ah, women are like that. Just when you think you've caught them, they escape and become more attractive than before. But Clara isn't a superficial woman. You're right. Clara is already quite lovely. A man like you would have a much easier time with someone a little less beautiful. Very amusing, Girard. In fact, why don't we toast to her? To Clara, the love of my life! To Clara! Yes? Hello, Ortolana. Hello, Rosa. Please come in. The priest is waiting. Good afternoon, Father. What did you wish to see me about, Ortolana? They're trying to steal my daughter away. Can't you do something? I think you must alert the authorities. This isn't a church matter. But it is a church matter. I've locked my daughter in the house, but I can't lock her up forever. And who's the kidnapping lover? It's not a lover. It is the Lord Jesus who wants to kidnap her. Are you out of your mind, Ortolana? Accusing God of trying to kidnap your child? I am just an old widow who needs your help. You can't deny me. You've always been a devout woman. Nobody has ever come to your door without being offered something to eat, even if all you had was a loaf of bread. This is why I have come to you. I want you to speak with the bishop and save my daughter. I can't do this by myself. I'm at my wit's end. We have to stop Clara from joining Brother Francis and his friars. What does this have to do with Brother Francis? He wants her to live like a filthy beggar the way he does. He's somehow convinced her it's the right thing to do. So your daughter is the crazy one. Your story touches me. You're right, and I will personally speak with the bishop and ask him to intervene with Francis on her behalf. I have spoken of all I've seen, and I mourn for their grave sins. Sinners all, sinners. But if the Lord cries, you must bend your knees and mourn with Him. He is the one that calls them. He is the one that loves them. And you must follow Him as those who followed Him to the holy mountain. How many times have you heard me preach what is written in the Gospel? Five thousand people followed Him up to the mountain. You have also followed Him. You followed Jesus, because He is the one who called you. You also shared the bread of life, the same bread that He gave those five thousand who followed Him. You should pray with me, good people. Repeat with me. Have mercy on me, Lord. Have mercy on me, Lord. I entrust my soul to You, Lord Jesus. I am in Your hands. In the shadow of Thy wings will I make my refuge until these calamities be overpassed. I cry out to You, my Father, my Father Almighty, my Lord who loves me. Place my soul in Your hands, O Lord, in Your hands alone. I cry out to You, my Father, my Lord who loves me. Send from heaven and save me from the reproach of my enemies. My heart is ready. My heart is ready. I put my heart into Your hands, Lord, because my heart is ready. Brothers, I'm going to row us to the other side of the lake. I think we'll have better luck there. It's a shame the fish don't seem as hungry as us this afternoon, isn't it? Huh? Maybe you could do us a favor, brother. Why don't you just talk to the fish like you do with all the other animals? What? Sure, I have been told that Francis can speak with the birds. Well, I don't find that strange, but I would rather he talk to some fish. I've never seen a fish this big in this lake. He's big enough for all of us. Brother Fish, Jonathan is good. He's just very hungry, but I'm sure he'd be just as happy to eat something other than you. What did you do that for? He was perfect. I think we can find something else to eat if we just go ashore. It's incredible. The fish almost seems to be saying thank you. Take a look in your satchel, brother. It's bread, but where did it come from? Please give the bread to Jonathan so that he will not be hungry. Thank you. Pray for me, Holy Friar. With pleasure, Jonathan. God be with you. I'll go. No, Clara. I'll go. You know your mother doesn't want you by the door. I'm not trying to disobey my mother. It just seemed rude to leave that person knocking. That's all. Oh, it's you. I don't like to brag, but the embroidery I did on your gown is truly wonderful, Clara. You're right. It's wonderful. You're already so pretty, but this dress will make you even more beautiful. I'm positive that when the boys see you in this dress, they will be dazzled. But my new husband will not even be at the party. Then you have already found a husband? Do I know this boy? Is he a local? He's not exactly from around here. I don't think I understand. There's nothing to understand. She's crazy. What are you laughing at? Good night, Gaspar. I'll have to play you again sometime. You know, I think he used loaded dice. Pacifica! Pacifica! Clara, I'm coming. Is it okay that I'm still afraid? No, you mustn't be afraid. Right now, I have enough fear for the both of us. Let's go. I'm coming. Hello, Brother Francis. We finally made it. I'm happy to be here with you two. Yes, our parents wouldn't give us their permission, so we had to run away from home. Thank you. Nobody ever would have believed that two girls as young as you could have such courage. You both have such great strength. Brother, what are two girls doing in the convent here at this hour? It's simple. They are following the will of the Lord. These girls have been called, and they will stay here and become like brothers. Who are we to oppose the will of the Lord? Thank you. That's what we want. We want to follow Jesus, just like your friars. These sisters have done all that God has ordained. They have obeyed, they have left everything they had, and come to join our path. Now it is our path to help them. Are you ready to join your husband's sisters? My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. Thank you, Brother Francis. Thank you, Brother Francis. Thank you, Lord Jesus. And now let us pray together, sisters. Let us pray to all the saints in heaven, to come and help our sisters who have asked to be admitted among the holy. Now say the words. Holy Mother of God, pray for us. Holy Virgin of Virgins, pray for us. Archangel Michael, pray for us. Archangel Gabriel, pray for us. All holy angels and archangels, pray for us. All holy and blessed spirits, please bless and pray for us. Who is it? It is Brother Francis, sister. Don't you recognize me? I need to speak with the Mother Superior. Of course I know you, Brother Francis. I can only imagine the importance of your visit. Thank you. I've brought you two new applicants, Reverend Mother. Claire of Assisi and Pacifica of Guelphuccio. They have chosen Lady Poverty as their companion for life, and taken Lord Jesus as their husband. Of course, Francis. They may live here according to our rules for as long as they wish. Follow me, sisters. God bless you, Francis. May the Lord be with you, Clara. And so, Clara began her path besides her husband, Jesus. You are the salvation of our souls, Lord Jesus. Save us, save us, O Lord, save us. My poor baby. She will be returned, and you must punish her without leniency, because a daughter must not be allowed to leave her home against the wishes of her mother. I thought she was kidnapped. It was so obvious I would have sworn it on a stack of Bibles. The past is the past, but you're still going to have to punish her. She's a bad example for others. Now I just want my baby to come home. You don't know the heart of a mother. I just want her safe and sound. Oh. Who is that? What now? Good day to you. I just spoke with Francis. He told me that Clara is free to return home any time. She's not following him, she follows another. If not Francis, then who is... Whoever it is, it better make her daughter go back home. I'm not so sure of that. My daughter is as stubborn as a mule. Then let me try to speak with her. I can be very persuasive. I'm riding off to the monastery. I want to speak with Clara. How else could I have followed my heart, Nicholas? Lord Jesus is my husband now. I tried to explain, but my mother wouldn't let me leave. It was difficult to leave my family, but I had no choice. I did what I had to, and so did Pacifica who joined me. We belong to Jesus. I must admit to you that on balance, it really doesn't bother me to hear you say such things. If this is what you want, and nobody has forced you to make this decision, and if you think that this will make you happy, then I'm happy too, Clara. Happy to see you follow the Lord. You're a good man, Nicholas. May Jesus bless you. Nobody was kidnapped. Nobody was forced here. The girl came of her own volition. I just gave her my consent. You mean I'll never be able to see my little daughter again? She'll spend the rest of her days in this monastery? Clara's mother has the right to see her daughter, and she has the right to question her in front of us as witnesses. She has the right to determine if she came here freely, or whether she's being held here against her will. Therefore, Mother Superior, I ask that this whole affair be investigated further. But no one here wants to deny Ortolana the right to visit. Mother? Oh, my blessed daughter! Why these terrible clothes, my daughter? You have such lovely dresses and gowns at home. Mother, this is the only dress I need to wear. It is for my husband, Lord Jesus Christ. Remember what the Bible says. Honor thy father and thy mother. But it is also written, who loves their father and mother more than me is not worthy of me. Oh, Clara! What did you do to your hair? You will not be alone. I'll come with you. Let's go, Clara. My dear mother! Clara! The little doggy prefers the sisters! Now go, and may God be with you, sisters. After she was provided shelter by the nuns of the Benedictine Monastery of St. Paul, Clara and Pacifica were transferred to the church of St. Angel of Ponzo, and shortly after, under the advice of Brother Francis, went to live at the old church of St. Damian, which had years earlier been restored by Brother Francis and his friars, the very place where Jesus had spoken and asked that Francis rebuild his church which was in ruins. In this very small and impoverished place, Clara founded the Order of the Poor Clares in Assisi. Send us more sisters, Lord Jesus. In fact, the fame of her holiness spread like wildfire. In all the neighboring regions, and later, from all over the world, many went to live with her. Girls, childless women, and those that were recently widowed. Wealthy women and poor women of all kinds. Welcome, sisters. I embrace you all. I'm Clara. This is my sister, Blanca. And what are all your names? My name is Antonia. My name is Jacoba. My name is Simona. My name is Monica. I see that you have brought an escort with you. Oh, yes. I came with my donkey and a servant. But you know, if I hadn't brought them, my mother wouldn't have let me even leave our house. Do you think you're ready to leave them now? If my new husband wishes it, then I will send them away. It was our Lord who said, Sell all you have, give the proceeds to the poor, and come follow me. I know. You're right. I do not have to bring anything as my father and mother wished. Nothing. They will remain rich. But I wish to be as poor as my husband Jesus. But wait, Sister Clara. I did forget something. I won't be long. A moment, please. Give me your hands. Here are some of the things that I no longer need. Please bring them to my father and my mother. Are you sure of all this, madam? Yes. I want to learn to be poor. It will be hard. You've always been wealthy. I know, my friend. Peace be with you. Goodbye. Now let's join the other sisters, Jacoba. They have left all they once knew. They have left behind everything. They now live in poverty, though once they were rich. They have embraced a new life here in the convent, because they have the same fiery spirit that inspires Brother Francis and his friars.