The celebration of The Transitus of Saint Francis honors his last moments at the Porziuncola, the little chapel where he started the Franciscan Order in Assisi, Italy. Francis chose to die in his little chapel in in absolute poverty, laid on the bare earth, surrounded by his followers. During his final hours, Francis requested the reading of the Gospel account of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet and recited Psalm 142 with his companions. In his humility, Saint Francis removed his habit, blessed his community, and welcomed death not with fear but with peace and praise, marking his transition to eternal life.
Franciscans worldwide hold prayer services on October 3rd, gathering in chapels by candlelight to recount Francis’s death through Scripture, song, and storytelling. The ceremony typically includes readings from Saint Francis’s biographers, hymns echoing his love for creation, and the sharing of bread as a symbol of community. Rather than mourning, the Transitus is a celebration of hope, joy, and the enduring legacy of Francis’s message of simplicity, humility, and love.
We hope you will join us Friday, October 3ra in the National Shrine of Saint Francis, 610 Vallejo Street, San Francisco, CA.
Service begins at 7:00 pm and will process next door to the Porziuncola Nuova, an exact replica of Saint Francis’ first church. We are fortunate to have the replica of the chapel here in San Francisco!
Please join us for a most holy and joyful service!
