Dear Parishioners and Friends,
With our plans for the celebration of the 800th anniversary of the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi in place, and announced last week (just look at the column to the right), I am delighted to invite you to take part in as many events as you can.
We will start things off with a little show-and-tell program I’ve put together, called “Picturing Francis.” We’ve all seen different images of St. Francis – either a statue in a birdbath or a church; maybe a large stained-glass window or just tiny medal. I’ve have assembled a delightful collection of images, some of which might be very familiar, and others which will be entirely new. So I invite you to come along on Friday evening, October 2nd, at 7 PM in the Franciscan Center, as we look at how St. Francis has been pictured over the past eight centuries.
Although his feast is celebrated on October 4th, the third of October has been the day on which the death of St. Francis is traditionally observed by Franciscans around the world for centuries. This year will mark 800 years since Francis of Assisi passed from earthly life to eternal life in heaven. So, our Transitus service, which recounts his final hours, will be especially significant and meaningful in 2026.
All our Masses on the weekend of October 3 and 4 will celebrate the Solemnity of St. Francis of Assisi. During my vacation in August I composed some new music pieces for the occasion: a Festival Alleluia for the Gospel and a setting of the Introit or Entrance Antiphon: “Let us all rejoice in the Lord, and keep a festival in honor of blessed Francis. Let us join with angels in joyful praise of the Son of God.” This call to worship will lead us into the processional hymn, “All Creatures of Our God and King.”
Stay tuned for more information about our “Francis 800” celebration, but in meantime, mark your calendars for October 2, 3 & 4 and join us for this unique opportunity to celebrate St. Francis of Assisi.
Blessings on your week ahead!
Fr. Tim Shreenan, O.F.M.
Pastor
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