The Feast of St. Francis

Today is the day that many churches celebrate the Feast of Saint Francis.  It is a day to remember Giovanni Francesco di Bernardone.  St. Francis grew up the son of a wealthy cloth merchant, living the good life as the leader of a band of soldiers.  One day, while returning from a battle, he heard a voice and gave it all up.  He realized that he had to say no to the world in order to say yes to God.  From there he wrote an order of life and the order of Franciscans were for born.

Each year, there are many different celebrations to commemorate the life of St. Francis.  In many Episcopal churches this is done with the blessing of animals.  Within the Franciscan tradition, the transitus is celebrated.  I had the privilege of attending a transitus this year at the Franciscan School of Theology here at the GTU.  In the transitus, the story of St Francis is told, hymns are sung and a meal is shared.  It is both a solemn and celebratory service all at the same time.  After attending the transitus this year, I have decided that the service will become an annual event for me.  It was a moving experience in which I was able to celebrate the life and death of St. Francis with my Franciscan seminary counterparts.

As John Kater, a member of our faculty stated in his sermon on Thursday night, "I want to free St. Francis from the birdbath."  While many people love the blessing of the animals, St Francis was much more than just animals.  St Francis is credited with creating the first Nativity Scene.  St. Francis was a man that not only honored God but also the world in which we all live.

For more information on St. Francis, click here.
For more information of the Transitus, click here.

The centerpiece of the Transitus at Franciscan School of Theology
 a Franciscan Habit laid out as if it was St. Francis

A Prayer Attributed to St. Francis

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

The Canticle of the Sun 

by Francis of Assisi

Most high, all powerful, all good Lord! All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing. To you, alone, Most High, do they belong. No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.
Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.
Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in the heavens you have made them, precious and beautiful.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and clouds and storms, and all the weather, through which you give your creatures sustenance.
Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you brighten the night. He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.
Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and rules us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of you; through those who endure sickness and trial. Happy those who endure in peace, for by you, Most High, they will be crowned.
Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whose embrace no living person can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Happy those she finds doing your most holy will. The second death can do no harm to them.
Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks, and serve him with great humility.

(translated by Bill Barrett from the Umbrian text of the Assisi codex.)