Eight hundred years ago, St. Francis of Assisi embraced Sister Death and passed to eternal life. The founder of the Franciscan Order spent his life caring for the poor and promoting peace during a turbulent time, all while accompanied by his Franciscan brothers, sisters and friends.
Centuries later, the Franciscan Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe are proud to carry on his legacy through humble service to the people of God throughout the United States, from Alaska to Puerto Rico, and through missions in Cuba and Jamaica.
As we commemorate the 800th anniversary of the Transitus of St. Francis on October 3, 2026, we join Pope Leo XIV in his hope that St. Francis’s message of peace will find “a profound echo in the Church and society today.”
May the Lord give you His peace!
Below are resources to commemorate the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’s passing from the Committee of the Franciscan Family for the Franciscan Centenary:
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.
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.
