St. Francis of Assisi is considered by Edmond Bordeaux Szekeley to be a modern Essene, as he embodies the love of God in nature. He sought to live like the fowls of Heaven and the lilies of the field, applying to himself literally Christ’s saying , “Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” In so doing, he provoked the rage of Church and State, but has come to be loved by people of all faiths for his simple love of God, nature, and suffering humanity. Come be inspired by one who gave up all to follow Christ, as you watch Franco Zeffirelli's moving musical portrait of the original "own nothing and be happy" man.