Answer Pope Leo’s call to Live Like Francis this Jubilee Year. Learn more.
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NAVIGATION

Answer the pope’s call to live like Francis

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Live Like Francis reflections

May 1, 2026

Pray for guidance like Francis

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April 7, 2026

Begin anew like Francis

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800th anniversary of the Transitus

The 800th anniversary of the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi will be commemorated on October 3, 2026, by Franciscans around the world. The Transitus is observed through an evening prayer service that commemorates St. Francis’s passage from death to eternal life, and you are invited to participate at a Franciscan church. Click here to find churches in the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe. 

During the service, we read and reflect on the Gospel passage that Francis asked his brothers to read aloud while he was on his death bed: John 13: 1-17. In this passage, Jesus washes the feet of the disciples – an act of humble service that Francis used as a model for his life. Through the Transitus service, we renew our own commitment to following Jesus through the example of St. Francis of Assisi. 
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Resources for the 800th anniversary of the Transitus of St. Francis

Below are resources to commemorate the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’s passing from the Committee of the Franciscan Family for the Franciscan Centenary: 

 

The Death of St. Francis in 1226: Looking Back after 800 Years

 

Diverse historical documents describe the death of St. Francis in 1226 in very different ways.  Who was present?  What did he say? Where was he buried? As we begin this year of remembering Eighth Centenary of his death, what can we learn about his final days and his peaceful passing? Br. Bill Short, OFM, explores these questions in a lecture hosted by the Franciscan School of Theology. 

Pope Leo’s Prayer to St. Francis of Assisi

 

Saint Francis, our brother, you who eight hundred years ago
went to meet Sister Death as a man at peace, 
intercede for us before the Lord. 
 
You recognized true peace in the Crucifix of San Damiano, 
teach us to seek in Him the source of all reconciliation 
that breaks down every wall. 
 
You who, unarmed, crossed the lines of war 
and misunderstanding, 
give us the courage to build bridges 
where the world raises up boundaries. 
 
In this time afflicted by conflict and division, 
intercede for us so that we may become
peacemakers: 
unarmed and disarming witnesses of the peace that
comes from Christ. 
 
Amen

Francis of Assisi: A Seed for Eternal Life – The Spiritual Legacy of a Christian Man

 

Eight hundred years ago, St. Francis left this world, but the seed he planted continues to germinate. This reflection guide provides an introduction to St. Francis’s spirituality so that we can better understand his intentions and, in doing so, renew our call to follow Christ.

This resource is available in Italiano - English - Español - Deutsch - Français - Hrvatski - Polski - Português - Magyar

Guidelines to Celebrate the Easter of St. Francis 

 

This document outlines helpful themes for those who are planning commemorative events. 

This resource is available in Italiano - English - Español 

Centenary of the Transit of St. Francis Worksheets 

 

Drawing on the richness of the Franciscan sources and the Bible, these worksheets are tools for individual or communal reflection on the life of St. Francis.  

This resource is available in Italiano - English - Español - Deutsch - Français - Hrvatski - Polski - Português - Slovenščina
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Upcoming Events

2026

June 29

Festive Mass: Feast Day of Sts. Peter and Paul

11:40 a.m.
Click here for more information
St. Peter’s in the Loop 110 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60602
July 5

Movie on Saint Francis

2–4 p.m.
Click here for more information
Church of the Transfiguration, 25225 Code Rd., Southfield, MI 48033
July 15

St. Bonaventure: Franciscan, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

12:15-1 p.m.
Click here for more information
St. Peter’s in the Loop 110 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60602
Aug. 1

A Pilgrimage of Prayer: Feast day of Our Lady of The Angels of the Portiuncula

9-11:30 a.m.
St. Peter’s in the Loop 110 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60602
Aug. 5

Recital: Beautiful City: A Sacred Music Cabaret

12:15-1 p.m.

Featuring settings of traditional hymns in both familiar and contemporary arrangements. Charles Thomas, baritone, performing. Julian Davis Reid, piano.

Click here for more infomation

St. Peter’s in the Loop 110 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60602
Aug. 9

Franciscan Intellectual Contributions to the Church

2–4 p.m.
Click here for more information
Church of the Transfiguration, 25225 Code Rd., Southfield, MI 48033
Aug. 11

Festive day: Feast of St. Clare

11:40 a.m.
Click here for more information
St. Peter’s in the Loop 110 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60602
Aug. 19

Talk: A view of St. Francis of Assisi

12:15-1 p.m.

Robert Hutmacher, OFM, serving. Thirteenth-century hymn texts written after St. Francis’ death reveal what his contemporaries thought of him. Br. Robert translating; spectacular medieval images bring Francis alive in new ways. 

Click here for more information

St. Peter’s in the Loop 110 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60602
Aug. 26

Recital: Celebrating the art of American musical theater during our nation’s semiquincentennial

12:15-1 p.m.

Michael Novak, tenor, performing. Keith Kalembo, piano 

Click here for more information


St. Peter’s in the Loop 110 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60602
Sept. 2

Talk: Minority as Evangelical Joy in the Life and Death of St. Francis

12:15-1 p.m.

Gilberto Cavazos-Gonzales, OFM, presenting.

Click here for more information


St. Peter’s in the Loop 110 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60602
Sept. 13

The Stigmata of Saint Francis

2–4 p.m.

Click here for more information

Church of the Transfiguration, 25225 Code Rd., Southfield, MI 48033
Sept. 16

Talk: The Franciscan Message for Today’s World

12:15-1 p.m.

Joseph Chinnici, OFM, presenting.

Click here for more information


St. Peter’s in the Loop 110 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60602
Sept. 17

Festive Mass: Stigmata of St. Francis

11:40 a.m.

Click here for more information

St. Peter’s in the Loop 110 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60602
Sept. 19

The Bas Reliefs of St. Peter’s in Word and Music

7-8:30 p.m.

Megan Wells, storyteller, and musicians of St. Peter’s perform.

Click here for more information 


St. Peter’s in the Loop 110 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60602
Sept. 21-22

An Exhibition of Historical Franciscan Art Treasures at St. Peter’s

10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Click here for more information 

St. Peter’s in the Loop 110 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60602
Sept. 23

Recital: Autumnal Delights

12:15-1 p.m.

Margie Arito, oboe; Denise LaGiglia, flute; Bob Hutmacher, OFM, piano; Michael Silhavy, piano, performing. 

Click here for more information 


St. Peter’s in the Loop 110 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60602
Sept. 30

Talk: The Role of Secular Franciscans Today

12:15-1 p.m.

Dr. C. Vanessa White, FSO, D-Minn., presenting. 

Click here for more information 


St. Peter’s in the Loop 110 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60602
Oct. 3

Transitus with Music

7-8:30 p.m.

A musical prayer remembering St. Francis’ death. 

Click here for more information 


St. Peter’s in the Loop 110 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60602
Oct. 4

Feast of Saint Francis: Sunday Mass

Church of the Transfiguration, 25225 Code Rd., Southfield, MI 48033
Oct. 4

Feast Day of St. Francis

12:30 p.m.

Blessing of animals outdoors on Madison Street 

St. Peter’s in the Loop 110 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60602
Oct. 4

Feast of Saint Francis

9 and 11 a.m.
St. Peter’s in the Loop 110 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60602
Oct. 4

Transitus of Saint Francis

7 p.m.

Click here for more information

Church of the Transfiguration, 25225 Code Rd., Southfield, MI 48033
Oct. 14

El Corazón de mi entrana

12:15-1 p.m.

A program of bolero, danza and art song of Puerto Rican composures that weaves together tales of love, loss, heartbreak and nostalgia. Eric Miranda, baritone; Gabrielle Timofeeva Lopez, mezzo soprano; Paula Gelpi, piano, performing. 


St. Peter’s in the Loop 110 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60602
Nov. 8

A Musical Tribute to Saint Francis

2–4 p.m.
Click here for more information 
Church of the Transfiguration, 25225 Code Rd., Southfield, MI 48033
Dec 13

The Christmas Crib at Greccio

2–4 p.m.
Click here for more information 
Church of the Transfiguration, 25225 Code Rd., Southfield, MI 48033
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