Franciscans celebrate the Transitus on Oct 3

Each year on the evening of October 3, the Franciscan family throughout the world celebrates the solemnity of St Francis’ Transitus, that is the passing over from this life to the next. The line Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whom no one living can escape in St Francis’ famous Canticle of the Creatures, reflects the importance and natural character of death in the life of all creation. Francis did not fear death as he recognised it as a transition from one way of living to another.

This year, the Transitus was celebrated by the Franciscan family in the Church of the Risen Christ, Air Itam. Franciscan friars, religious sisters, postulants and laity gathered to mark the passing of Francis as a reminder to renew their own commitment to follow Christ in the same way as the poor man of Assisi. A key part of the celebration is the reading and reflecting upon the Gospel passage that Francis asked his brothers to read aloud at his death bed.

The Gospel passage is taken from John 13:1-20 where Jesus washes the feet of his disciples. The readings gave a glimpse into the life that the poor man from Assisi sought to live and which the Franciscan family has inherited. At the heart of the reading stands the example of the servant leadership modelled by Jesus Christ Himself.

The celebration drew to an end with those present placing lighted candles at the foot of the statue of St Francis.

The evening continued with Fr Arul Mariadass, OFM, parish priest of Risen Christ Church, introducing members of the Franciscan family who attended the celebration. The members came from the Order of Friars Minor (OFM), Order of Friars Minor Capuchins (OFM, Capuchins), Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (FSIC), Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood (FMDM), and the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS).

It was indeed a most meaningful and enriching celebration. For the non-Franciscans present, this celebration may, perhaps, lead them to emulate St Francis in loving God, being faithful to the Catholic Church, giving precedence to the Holy Gospels and living a life of simplicity.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online