The universal Church remembers the poverello of Assisi, Saint Francis, these days. Loved by millions throughout the world, it is a special privilege to celebrate his feast day in the town he loved so much, and close to the many sights connected to his earthly life.
On a night like tonight, October 3rd, 1226, twenty years after his conversion to Christ, Francis asked to be taken to the chapel of Saint Mary of the Portiuncula located a walking distance from Assisi in the middle of the woods. This small chapel had been one of the chapels he rebuilt after hearing God’s call to rebuild the Church. A chronicle of that time states that he wished to give back his soul to God in the very same place where he had received the spirit of grace.
Halfway to the chapel, Francis asked to be turned around so he could see Assisi one last time. Raising himself slightly, he blessed his city.
Arriving to the chapel, he was placed naked on the earth, hiding with his left hand the wound which had appeared on his side (stigmata). It is recorded that he “praised the Lord in a great joyful outburst of body and soul, saying to his companion: ‘Since I must soon die, have Brother Angel and Brother Leo come and praise our Sister Death for me.’ Both arrived and, forcing back their tears, sang the ‘Canticle of Brother Sun’ and of the other creatures, which the saint had composed during his sickness for the glory of God and for the consolation of his soul and of that of the others.”
He then asked for bread, which he blessed and broke, giving a piece to each of the brothers present. A passage from the Gospel of John was read.
It was in that small chapel on a night like tonight that Saint Francis was born into eternal life. Franciscan communities throughout tonight celebrate the Transitus of Saint Francis, or his passage from this life onto the next. When I was in college at Franciscan University, a group of friars would carry a small cot with a Franciscan habit from the chapel to the replica of the Portiuncula that is found on campus. This symbolized the carrying of Francis to the outskirts of Assisi where he died. It was always a special and solemn occasion.
Today I had the opportunity to visit the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels where the Portiuncula is today. The Basilica was built to enclose the small chapel. In the evening, I concelebrated Mass along with Bishop Hartmayer at the Basilica of Saint Francis. After Mass, we processed to the Tomb of Francis where we prayed and were blessed by a relic of the saint.
Tomorrow thousands will come to Assisi seeking to connect with Saint Francis and to increase their love of the same Jesus Christ whom Francis loved. There will be a Mass celebrated every hour starting at 6am at the Basilica, and at 10am a solemn Mass will be held at the Upper Basilica of Saint Francis with many dignitaries and pilgrims who have come from the Province of Piemonte. Each pilgrim will come with his or her intentions, and for different reasons. The life of the poverello of Assisi continues to resound in a modern world that seeks mostly honors and riches. His example of simplicity and fidelity to Christ is one we need today more than ever. These days are blessed days, may the prayers of Saint Francis help follow his example, so that we too may be embraced by Christ on the day we meet him face to face.
All the pictures are mine (except the last one belongs to Martin Breski, OFM Conv). All rights reserved.
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