Help and Getting Started
Welcome to Servus Dei. Here you can explore Catholic writing, find stories to share with children, download free teaching materials, and listen to music inspired by the faith.
Where would you like to begin?
Finding articles and videos
Where can I read your writing?
Start on the home page. Browse the latest articles, choose a subject such as Scripture, Grace, or Moral Theology, or use Next and Previous to move through the pages. More reveals additional categories.
The home page normally shows written posts without video posts. Turn on Include video posts if you would like to see both together.
How do I search for something?
Select Search in the site header and enter a name, topic, or phrase. Choose a suggested result, or select Show All Results to see more matches.
For a particular video, the Videos page has its own Search this library box. You can also choose a Subject and change Sort by. If a search is too narrow, use Clear filters and try a shorter term, such as “Rita” or “Jacob.”
What are the two video libraries?
The Videos page has two tabs:
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On this site lists stories you can open in the Servus Dei player. Choose Watch on site. Access depends on the video's available preview, rental, purchase, or subscription options.
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Free on YouTube helps you find videos to watch through YouTube. Choose Watch free to open the linked YouTube destination.
Choose More videos to see additional entries. Where a card includes Free lesson, that link opens the companion story page and its teaching resources.
When will an Early Preview story be free on YouTube?
Look for the free YouTube release date on the story page or its video-library card. A future date means the public YouTube release is still ahead. The Early Access plans let you watch included stories on Servus Dei before their public release.
If a link opens the channel instead of the story, search the channel for its title and check the release date on the companion story page. Please let us know if a link appears incorrect.
Video access and subscriptions
What is Early Preview or Early Access?
Early Preview is the name used for the site's advance-viewing video collection. Early Access is the annual subscription, and Monthly Early Access is the monthly option. They provide advance access to included stories before those stories become free on YouTube.
The Plans & Pricing page currently lists:
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Early Access: $25 each year; advertised free trial: 30 days.
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Monthly Early Access: $3 each month; advertised free trial: 7 days.
Use that page to compare the current offers. Review the price, trial, and billing terms shown during signup before completing your subscription.
Can I watch one story without subscribing?
Some stories offer an individual rental or purchase. Open the video and check its available options and terms. For example, the Jacob and Esau story page currently advertises a free 20-second preview, a $0.99 rental for 72 hours, and a $2.99 purchase.
Check the particular story's offer before paying; a single-video purchase and an ongoing subscription are different options.
Does creating an account give me paid video access?
An account lets the site recognize you and connect you with your purchases or subscription. Full access to a paid video also requires a qualifying subscription, rental, or purchase. Signing in by itself does not buy access.
Use the same account you used when subscribing or purchasing. If the player asks you to sign in, follow its sign-in prompt, then reopen the video if necessary.
How do I manage or cancel my subscription?
Open your account menu in the site header and choose My Subscriptions, or go directly to My Subscriptions.
This page shows your purchased subscriptions, status, and available details. Open the relevant subscription and use Cancel Subscription if you want to begin cancellation. Read any confirmation and effective-date information before completing it.
For questions about a charge, renewal, or when access will end, contact us.
Is the email signup the same as a paid subscription?
No. The Stay up to date email form on the home page is for joining the mailing list. Paid video subscriptions are selected separately on the Plans & Pricing page. Joining the mailing list does not purchase video access.
Free teaching resources
Where are the lesson plans and printable activities?
On the Videos page, choose Free lesson where that link is available. On the companion story page, look for Free teaching resources or Free lesson plan and printable activities.
The teaching materials are free, including the materials accompanying an Early Preview story. You can download the lesson materials separately from purchasing video access.
Which download should I choose?
Where offered, the downloads include:
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Complete lesson packet: the leader guide and both student activities together.
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Leader guide: help planning the lesson, with discussion prompts, activities, prayer, and teaching notes.
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Draw & Tell: an activity for children who prefer drawing and spoken responses.
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Read & Write: an activity for children ready to respond in writing.
Choose the pages that suit your children or group. You do not need to use both student activities.
How do I save or print a lesson?
Select its download link or Download PDF button. Depending on your browser, the PDF may open in a viewer or save to your Downloads folder. Use the PDF viewer's download or print controls to save a copy or print the pages you need.
If a download does not open, try the text download link beside the PDF attachment, or open the story page in your regular browser.
What ages are the stories and lessons for?
Many of the children's stories and accompanying lessons are intended for approximately ages 7–11, with adaptations for different reading levels. Check the individual story's age guidance and parent or teacher notes. Preview the story before sharing it with younger or sensitive children.
Listening to music
How do I find and play an album or song?
Open Music. Choose an album, or use Find an album or song to narrow the list. Select Play album or choose a song from the track list. Use Clear to remove your search.
The page provides playback through YouTube. You can also use Open on YouTube to open the album there. YouTube may display ads or sign-in prompts.
The site footer also links to Servus Dei on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
When something is not working
I have paid, but the video still offers a preview or asks me to buy
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Check that you are signed in with the account used for the subscription or purchase.
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For a subscription, open My Subscriptions and check its status.
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Refresh the story page after signing in. You can also find the same title on the Videos page and choose Watch on site.
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If access still does not appear, contact us before purchasing again.
Include the story title, its page link, the email address used for your account, and what you see on screen. Please do not send your password or full payment-card details.
A video is blank or will not load
Refresh the page and give the player a moment to load. If the video embedded in a story page still does not appear, open the Videos page, find the title, and choose Watch on site.
For a YouTube video, use its YouTube link to try playback there. If the problem continues, tell us the title, page link, device, browser, and any error message.
I cannot sign in or find my subscription
Check that you are using the account associated with your purchase. If you still cannot reach your account or locate the subscription, contact us so we can help you investigate.
Contact Servus Dei
Use the Contact page, or email mfierro@servus-dei.com.
Questions about the writing, videos, lessons, or music are welcome. Teachers and catechists are especially welcome to share what would help their ministry. You can also ask about a translation or a video dubbed into another language.