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On the evening of October 3rd, Franciscans around the world observe the “Transitus”, or passing of St. Francis of Assisi as he welcomed Sister Death.
LECTOR:
The death of Francis makes us question ourselves: what is the foundation of my life? How have I nurtured my life?
Some time before his death, while Saint Francis was in Siena seeking treatment for an eye ailment, his overall physical condition began to deteriorate: his stomach—ravaged by long-standing illness—compounded by hepatitis and severe vomiting of blood, suggested that his death was imminent. Then his abdomen began to swell; the swelling spread to his legs and feet, and his stomach grew so weak that he could barely take any food. Later, he asked Brother Elias to take him to Assisi. That dutiful son did as the loving Father commanded; having made all the necessary arrangements, he brought him to the place he desired. (1 Celano 105)
Realizing that his final day was imminent, the Seraphic Father Saint Francis called the friars of his choosing and blessed each one as he was inspired from heaven. Knowing that death was very near, he summoned all the friars and the local inhabitants, bidding them—with spiritual joy—to sing the praises of the Lord aloud in anticipation of the death awaiting him, or rather, of the life so close at hand. And with all the strength he could muster, he intoned that psalm of David: “I cry aloud to the Lord; I plead aloud with the Lord; I pour out my troubles before him; I lay my anguish before him, as my breath fails me.” (Psalm 141) 1 Celano 108 and 109
ANTIPHON:
Francis, a man truly Catholic and apostolic in every way, sent with the good news of peace.
Antiphon 2.
During his lifetime he supported the house of God, and in his days, he strengthened the temple.
Psalm 147
O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!
Zion, praise your God.
He has strengthened the bars of your gates,
He has blessed the children within you.
He established peace on your borders,
He feeds you with finest wheat.
He sends out his word to the earth,
and swiftly runs his command.
He showers down snow white as wool,
He scatters hoar-frost like ashes.
He hurls down hailstones like crumbs.
The waters are frozen at his touch; He sends forth his word and it melts them; at the breath of his mouth the waters flow.
He makes his word known to Jacob, to Israel his laws and decrees.
He has not dealt thus with other nations; He has not taught them his decrees.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Antiphon.
During his lifetime, he supported the house of God, and in his days, he strengthened the temple.
LECTOR:
When Francis sensed his death was near, he joyfully exclaimed: “Welcome, Sister Death.” Indeed, for him, death was not the end but rather the Passover—the passing or transition—from this world to the Father. It happened at sunset on October 3rd, yet for us, it remains ever relevant, in imitation of the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus.
Reading from the Life of Saint Francis, by Thomas of Celano (1 Cel 109-112): Twenty years had already passed since his conversion. Thus, what had been revealed to him by the will of God was fulfilled. He had rested for a few days in that place so dear to him; knowing that death was very near, he called two brothers—his beloved sons—and bade them sing the praises of the Lord aloud with spiritual joy, in anticipation of the approaching death—or rather, the Life that was so imminent.
And he himself intoned, with all the strength he could muster, that psalm of David: “I cry aloud to the Lord; I plead aloud with the Lord.”
Among those present was a brother whom the Saint loved with a special affection; he was deeply devoted to all the brothers. Witnessing this scene and aware that the Saint’s life was drawing to a close, he said to him: “Kind Father, look how your children are left without a father, deprived of the true light of their eyes! Remember the orphans you are leaving behind; and, having forgiven all their faults, gladden both those present and those absent with your holy blessing.” “My son,” the Saint replied, “God is calling me. I forgive all offenses and faults to my brothers—both those absent and those present—and, as far as I am able, I absolve them; when you convey this to them, bless them all in my name.”
He then asked for the Book of the Gospels to be brought to him and requested that the Gospel of Saint John be read, beginning with the words: “Before the feast of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father…” He then ordered that a hairshirt be placed upon him and that ashes be scattered over him, for soon he would be dust and ashes.
As many of the brothers—to whom he was father and guide—were gathered together, all reverently awaiting the blessed passing and the joyful consummation of the saint’s life, he fell asleep in the Lord. 1 Celano 109-110
The Procession to the Old Mission Church Follows.
SOLEMN BLESSING OF THE COMMEMORATIVE IMAGE OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI FOR THE 800TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH (BISHOP MICHAEL PHAM)
Almighty everlasting God, who do not forbid us to carve or paint likenesses of your saints, in order that whenever we look at them with our bodily eyes we may call to mind their holy lives, and resolve to follow in their footsteps; may it please you to bless + and to hallow + this statue of Saint Francis of Assisi, which has been made in commemoration of the 800th anniversary of his death and the commemoration of the Jubilee year in his honor. Grant that all who in its presence pay devout homage to the poverello of Assisi obtain your grace in this life and everlasting glory in the life to come; through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
Magnificat Antiphon: Francis, wholly submissive to the Creator, held creatures in submission: he made use of them for the glory of God.
MAGNIFICAT:
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
Magnificat, magnificat, magnificat anima mea Dominum. Magnificat, magnificat, magnificat anima mea!
From now on, all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me: his name is holy, and his mercy extends from generation to generation.
Magnificat, magnificat, magnificat anima mea Dominum. Magnificat, magnificat, magnificat anima mea!
He has shown the strength of his arm, He has scattered the proud in their conceit, He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.
Magnificat, magnificat, magnificat anima mea Dominum. Magnificat, magnificat, magnficat anima mea!
He helps Israel, his servant, remembering his mercy, —as he had promised our ancestors— for the sake of Abraham and his descendants forever.
Magnificat, magnificat, magnificat anima mea Dominum. Magnificat, magnificat, magnficat anima mea!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. as it was in the beginning is now and will be forever. Amen.
Antiphon: Francis, wholly submissive to the Creator, held creatures in submission: he made use of them for the glory of God.
Presider:
Let us implore God the Father,
the source of all holiness,
to bring us to a holy life through the example and intercession of our holy father Saint Francis and say:
Lord, hear our prayer, Deus ex audino, Señor, escúchanos.
Holy Father, you made your servant Francis a perfect follower of your Son, grant that we too may faithfully observe the Gospel and follow his example: let us pray to the Lord.
R. Lord, hear our prayer, Deus ex audino, Señor, escúchanos.
Merciful Father, guide our steps along the path of peace, following the example of our father Saint Francis, so that with sincere hearts we may live in obedience, without personal possessions, and in chastity: let us pray to the Lord.
R. Lord, hear our prayer, Deus ex audino, Señor, escúchanos.
Heavenly Father, you deposed the proud and exalt the humble of heart, grant that we may follow our seraphic Father in humility: let us pray to the Lord.
R. Lord, hear our prayer, Deus ex audino, Señor, escúchanos.
Father of goodness, who marked your servant Francis with the wounds of the Passion of your Son Jesus Christ, grant that we may always glory in the Cross of Christ: let us pray to the Lord.
R. Lord, hear our prayer, Deus ex audino, Señor, escúchanos.
Holy Father, you granted pardon to sinners through the prayers of our blessed Father Francis, in your mercy show our deceased sisters and brothers the light of your countenance: let us pray to the Lord.
R. Lord, hear our prayer, Deus ex audino, Señor, escúchanos.
Presider:
With confidence let us pray as Jesus taught us: Our Father…
Presider: Lord God, on this night you gave to our holy father Francis, the Poverello of Assisi, the reward of perfect beatitude. In your love, lead us who celebrate his Transitus, to follow closely in his footsteps, and come, in our turn, to worship you face to face, in a joy that knows no ending. Through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
Presider: The Lord be with you!
R. And with your Spirit.
Presider: May the Lord bless you and keep you.
R. Amen.
Presider: May He make his face shine upon you and be merciful to you.
R. Amen
Presider: May He turn his countenance toward you and give you his peace.
R. Amen.
Presider: May almighty God bless you, the Father✠, and the Son ✠ and the Holy Spirit✠.
R. Amen.
Presider: Let us go in peace.
R. Thanks be to God.
