On Oct. 3, 1226, St. Francis of Assisi passed from this life. Eight hundred years later, the Franciscan community still commemorates his passing, or Transitus, with a solemn evening service on the eve of his feast.
The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America on Saturday, Oct. 3, will host a celebration of the 800th Anniversary of the Transitus of St. Francis, and on Sunday, Oct. 4, will host a celebration of the Jubilee Year of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.
The celebration will begin on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 9:30 a.m. with the Blessing of the Animals. The faithful are invited to bring their pets to receive a blessing from the friars and give thanks to God for the gift of His creation.
Later that evening, the celebration will continue with a procession to the monastery through the neighborhood often called “Little Rome” because of its many Catholic institutions and apostolates. Pilgrims will gather at 5:45 p.m. on the lawn of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception at the Catholic University of America (CUA). The procession to the monastery will begin at 6 p.m., arriving in time for the Transitus prayer service at 7 p.m..
Guardian Father Ramzi Sidawi will preside over the liturgy, which will include the recitation of Psalm 142, which St. Francis prayed as he lay dying; a reflection by Capuchin Brother Thomas Piolata, assistant professor of systematic theology at CUA; and solemn vespers.
The evening will continue with a candlelit procession to the monastery’s Portiuncula, a replica of the small chapel St. Francis restored early in his vocation and near which he died 22 years later. Pilgrims will have the opportunity to receive a blessing with a relic of St. Francis of Assisi. Also, light refreshments will be served,
On the Feast of St. Francis, Oct. 4, Franciscan Father John Puodziunas, Commissary of the Holy Land, will celebrate Mass at 11 a.m., followed by another opportunity to receive a blessing with a relic of St. Francis.
Afterward, for a light reception featuring almond cookies – traditionally remembered as one of St. Francis’s favorite treats – will be served. Lady Jacoba of Settesoli, a Roman noblewoman and devoted follower of St. Francis, prepared these cookies for him and brought them to him as he lay dying. She is remembered in the Franciscan tradition as Blessed Jacoba of Settesoli.
The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America is located at 1400 Quincy Street, N.E., Washington, D.C.
