Transitus prayer service recalls 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s death

“Every year the Franciscans celebrate Transitus, bringing together the three groups of Franciscans: friars, sisters and lay/secular for a prayer service with readings from the life of St. Francis, prayer and music,” said Father Dave Domanski, OFM Cap, pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Cleveland.

This year’s event commemorating the death of St. Francis in 1226, took place the evening of Oct. 3 at the Conversion of St. Paul Shrine, one of the diocesan pilgrimage sites for the Jubilee Year of St. Francis. A large group gathered for the prayer service with Bishop Edward Malesic as presider and homilist.

The reading, which was from the life of St. Francis according to St. Bonaventure, recalled what happened as the saint’s death drew near. The friars were called to his side and “he spoke to them gently, with fatherly affection, consoling them for his death and exhorting them to love God.” He “mentioned especially poverty and patient endurance and the necessity of holding to the faith of the Church and gave the Gospel preeminence over any other rule of life.”

St. Francis blessed the friars, bid them goodbye and urged them to “remain in him always … I am on my way to God and I commend you all to his favor.”

In his homily, the bishop said the four seasons remind us of life, noting it is a temporary thing. “We pass from life to death,” he said, with the hope of everlasting life with the Lord.

“Why are we still celebrating St. Francis’ death 800 years later?” the bishop asked. He noted the saint, who lived an authentic life, was beloved by not only Catholics, but people of other faiths, also.

He said Francis embraced poverty and the Gospel. “He discovered Jesus Christ and learned nothing else could satisfy his heart. He embraced Christ and Christ embraced him … Francis knew he was loved and wanted his whole life to reflect that love. That is what’s at the heart of every Franciscan vocation,” the bishop said.

He noted that Jesus is with us always and he saved us by his death. “He’s with us in our poverty. He will be with us when we take our final earthly breath and when we take our first breath of eternity,” the he said. Bishop Malesic said Francis didn’t fear death, he embraced it. “He knew who he was and what he was. He followed Christ from life into death.”

The bishop thanked the Poor Clare sisters for their unceasing prayer, explaining “it is the fuel for the engine of our diocese … May others receive what we have to give … It’s not silver or gold, but Jesus. Let’s ask for grace so we’re not afraid to die but to walk in the direction of eternal life.”

After the prayer service, all were invited to a reception hosted by the sisters that featured desserts, beverages and the special Transitus ice cream – an almond ice cream with pieces of almond cookies and almonds – that was created by Father Damian Ference, diocesan vicar for evangelization, and Country Parlour Ice Cream.

Watch the website news page for additional Transitus coverage, including more photos.