The Transitus of St. Francis

On October 3rd each year, Franciscans around the world gather to commemorate the passing of St. Francis of Assisi from earthly life to eternal life with God. This commemoration has been named the Transitus of St. Francis, coming from the Latin word for “passing over.”

Giotto,_Lower_Church_Assisi,_Franciscan_Allegories-St_Francis_in_Glory_02

“The Glory of St. Francis” by Giotto Lower Basilica of St. Francis, Assisi

This prayer service isn’t intended to dwell on the death of St. Francis but rather to celebrate Francis’ journey into the fullness of life and calls us to reflect upon our own journey and how we are called to follow Christ.

St. Francis, in his desire and passion for Christ Jesus, chose a life of simplicity, service and total surrender to God’s love. He accepted Sister death, just as he embraced his life with total trust in God and His will. This embrace was a journey of conversion that lasted his entire life.

St. Francis serves the poor and marginalized

St. Francis embraces Jesus on the cross

Two years before the passing of St. Francis, he received the Wounds of Christ. It was this total love and surrender to God that this love broke through his own body in the form of the sacred stigmata. St. Francis bore this pain along with the pain of his declining health. St. Francis fully accepted this pain as his God-Given journey.

St. Francis received the Stigmata - the wounds of Christ

One of the brothers once asked St. Francis what kind of death he hoped for, whether it be a quick one or a prolonged and painful one. St. Francis answered, “Brother, I want whatever death God wants for me,” just as Jesus lamented on the cross, “Father, not my will, but yours be done.” Nearing death, St. Francis asked to be placed naked on the ground in total poverty just as Jesus died on the Cross.

St. Francis spent his last days surrounded by his brothers praising God through all of creation, reciting his Canticle of the Creatures which ends with St. Francis joyfully inviting and welcoming Sister Death.

The dying St Francis blessing the town of Assisi

St. Francis blessing Assisi as he lay dying surrounded by his brothers.

Praised be you, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death From whom no one living Can escape. Woe to those who die In mortal sin! Blessed are those whom she will find in your most holy will, For the second death Will do them no harm. Praise and bless my Lord, And give him thanks and serve him Humbly but grandly!

Peter Paul Rubens, Last Communion of Saint Francis_Flemish, c. 1619_Antwerp, Musee royaux des BEaux-Arts de Belgique03

St. Francis left us with this final
message:
“I have done what is mine; may Christ
teach you what is yours.”

The Last Communion of St. Francis by Peter Paul Rubens, c.1619

The Transitus of St. Francis

Blessing of the Animals at Mission San Luis Rey: Celebratingthe Spirit of St. Francis