Today, October 3rd, marks the Transitus of Saint Francis. In Latin, transitus means “crossing over,” and today we celebrate Francis’ crossing over from life on earth to life in Heaven with God.
Tomorrow, October 4th is Saint Francis’ feast day. We are reminded of his great faith, his humble heart, and the great example he set for Franciscans for centuries to come. He began the Franciscan friars, and it is because of this we have our own friary today.
Saint Francis’ Early Life
Francis was born around 1181 in Assisi, Italy to a prosperous family. Even as a child he showed a deep pull for nature and spirituality and yearned for a life beyond material comforts. This would foreshadow his choices later in life.
Saint Francis’ Conversion
Saint Francis was called upon by the Holy Spirit to rebuild the church. Francis accepted this call humbly and decided to lead a life focused on poverty, leaving behind the comforts of his prior life.
Francis is also known for his immense respect for God’s creation. He recognized Christ’s divinity in every living thing, especially nature and animals.
From this point Francis founded the Franciscan Order, which has continued to this day. His deep devotion to God and his simple lifestyle grew a following, and they followed Francis in his lifestyle and vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
Francis’ Legacy Today
To this day Saint Francis of Assisi remains a symbol of humility. He humbly rejected the material world, accepted the calling God gave him, and served all the living things around him. Since then, he has inspired centuries of individuals to take up a more devotional life.
Today, on the anniversary of Saint Francis’ death, we are thankful that his teaching and legacy are still alive and well. His order of Franciscan friars is not only thriving today, but laypeople also remember his focus on simplicity and great attention to the spirit and beauty of God’s creation.