This year on October 3, 2009 as well as every year on the vigil of the Feast of St. Francis, the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity along with the entire Franciscan Family gather to celebrate the Transitus of St. Francis. This devotion ritually remembers Francis’ passing from this life into God. It is a ritual that has survived three decades.
Fr. Daniel Grigassey, OFM writes:” the Transitus has become a significant and even necessary annual event. To ritually revisit the story of Francis’ passing is vital; without it something significant is missing. It specifies the living memory of Francis; it intensifies our commitment to follow Christ in the way of the poor man of Assisi.”
This year marks the first time that chaplain Fr. Finian Zauch, OFM, celebrated the Franciscan ritual at the Motherhouse in Manitowoc. A member of the Franciscan Friars of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Province, Father Finian arrived in Manitowoc in mid-September after serving in numerous administrative posts including Provincial Librarian, Archivist, Principal of St. Bonaventure High School, substitute chaplain, teacher of religious education to both elementary and high school students and assisting in Byzantine parishes.
At 4 p.m. on October 3, Postulants, Novices and some professed Sisters also led music for the Saturday evening Eucharist at Holy Cross Parish, Mishicot, WI. Father Paul Paider, pastor, and parish members welcomed the music troupe on the vigil of St. Francis and united their voices in song during the liturgy. This Franciscan vocation ministry of presence and music outreach in parishes begins its fifth year.
How did you celebrate the feast of St. Francis?
