by Theresa Cavicchio, OFSEach year, the October 4th feast of Saint Francis of Assisi (1182 - 1226 A.D.), is celebrated by Christians, non-Christians, and non-believers alike; not only in Franciscan circles but all over the world. The beloved “Little Poor Man” of Assisi -- gentle, humble, and joyful -- has gathered quite a diverse following indeed!
For example, animal lovers look forward to the annual Blessing of the Animals which in modern times has become a much-anticipated feature of Francis’ feast day. This reflects the saint’s reputation as a lover of all Creation -- a gift of Almighty God in all its varied manifestations -- as featured in his famous Canticle of the Creatures.
This year, however, the time leading up to Saint Francis’ feast takes on even more wide- ranging significance in this 800 th anniversary of his passing from this world.
Among Franciscans, October 3rd is a noteworthy date in its own right, often marked with solemn liturgies. On that date in 1226 A.D., Francis of Assisi was fully aware that his time on this earth was drawing to a close. Surrounded by his friars, he prepared for his Transitus, or passing, from life on earth to new life in heaven.
The setting was the Portiuncula, or “Little Portion,” a tiny chapel outside of Assisi where Francis had asked his friars to carry him. Ever faithful to his Lady Poverty, he stated his desire to lie naked on the ground, giving all back to God.
Francis lay in severe bodily pain, as recounted by Saint Bonaventure, an early biographer. His suffering “was so great that there was not a single part of him which did not have its share of agony; he had no flesh left and his skin seemed to cling to his bones.”
Having devoted his life totally to Jesus and His Gospel right to the end, Francis requested that his friars read aloud the account of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples on the night before He died (John 13:1 - 15). He stretched out his arms in the form of the Cross, blessing his brothers in the name of Jesus Crucified.
As Francis of Assisi breathed his last, poverty, humility, joy, simplicity, forgiveness, peace -- these and other important elements of Franciscan spirituality would live on in his countless followers down the centuries.
When Francis’ Transitus had been accomplished, and his earthly journey had come finally to its end, the change in his physical appearance was remarkable. Saint Bonaventure states that Francis’ skin “became shining white, giving us some idea of the beauty which will belong to the bodies of the saints in heaven.”
Saint Bonaventure eulogizes Francis as one who “attained the height of sanctity. He was a model of penance, a herald of truth, a mirror of holiness, and an example of
Gospel perfection, but poverty was his profession … he was marked out by the practice of all the virtues.”
The sanctity of Francis’ life was so clearly evident that it did not take long for the Church to act. The canonization process was swift. Less than two years after Francis’ death -- on July 16, 1228 -- Pope Gregory IX raised him to the altar of sainthood.
In light of this 800 th anniversary of Saint Francis’ Transitus, Pope Leo XIV proclaimed 2026 as the Jubilee Year of Saint Francis. Many special events have taken place so far this year and will continue as we make our way to its conclusion on January 10, 2027.
We close with the prayer which Pope Leo XIV composed for this most memorable year.
Prayer of Pope Leo XIV announcing The 2026 Jubilee Year of Saint Francis on the 800 th anniversary of his death
Saint Francis, our brother,
You who 800 years ago went to meet Sister Death as a man at peace, intercede for us before the Lord.
You recognized true peace in the Crucifix of San Damiano, teach us to seek in Him the source of all reconciliation that breaks down every wall.
You who, unarmed, crossed the lines of war and misunderstanding, give us the courage to build bridges where the world raises up boundaries. In this time afflicted with conflict and division, intercede for us so that we may become peacemakers: unarmed and disarming witnesses of the peace that comes from Christ.
Amen.
