October 3rd and 4th are special days for Franciscans! St. Francis died on the night of October 3rd, 1226, so it is on that night that Franciscans around the world celebrate the Transitus, a special prayer service commemorating his last moments and passing. After a quiet, solemn night, his feast day on October 4th is celebrated with special prayers, food, and festivities.
For the early years of our little community here at Our Lady of the Angels, we celebrated in-house. Our little band of Franciscans would have our normal holy hour and dinner, and then proceed to the church. The lights would be dimmed, and a candelabra with seven candles would be displayed. In this solemn, yet simple environment, we would read select passages on St. Francis’ last moments on earth from the writer Celano, the earliest biographer of St. Francis. On his deathbed, he requested the passage to be read from the Gospel of St. John where the Lord washes the feet of His disciples. In like manner to Christ, St. Francis urged his brethren to go and do likewise – to be humble servants of Christ and of one another. After these moving readings, Bishop Bob would preach us a ferverino, exhorting each of our members to live the Gospel, for — as St. Francis said close to the time of his death — up to now, we have done little, or nothing! The Transitus would conclude with the extinguishing of the candelabra candles, and strict silence until a celebratory breakfast following Mass the next morning.
In the last few years, we have had the privilege of celebrating the Transitus with other Franciscans in the Chicagoland area. It has been a great joy to share our traditions and love for St. Francis over pasta, dessert, and beautiful prayer services.
In addition to the Transitus, we pray special prayers in the Liturgy of the Hours from the Vigil through Night prayer on October 4th, as well as make a large, festive (and typically Italian) dinner. Often, friends and benefactors will add to the solemnity by sending us a message, dropping by with some dessert, or sending some flowers to decorate our chapels.
As we celebrate this feast during this time of the Eucharistic Revival, may you reflect on these words of St. Francis as He praised the gift of the Lord’s humility in the Eucharist:
“Look at the humility of God, and pour out your hearts before Him! Humble yourselves, that you may be exalted by Him! Hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves, so that He Who gives Himself totally to you may receive you totally!” – From the Letter to the Entire Order, 1225-1226