CONCORD — St. James the Greater in Concord held a transitus prayer service to commemorate the death of St. Francis of Assisi on the eve of his feast day, Oct. 3.
The Maximilian Kolbe Region of the Order of Franciscan Seculars (OFS) hosted the service celebrating the peaceful and happy death of the saint who was the leader of a spiritual movement that Catholics around the world continue to follow 800 years later.
The service was presided over by Father Stephen Hoyt, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo in Morganton, who, before serving as a diocesan priest, was a religious Capuchin friar and now serves as the spiritual director of the secular order.
During the entrance procession, the empty brown habit, laid on a canvas stretcher, was placed on the steps of the altar. The empty habit represents “the little poor man” who entered heaven just as he entered religious life - stripped of all earthly possessions, even his clothes.
While the secular Franciscans read the historical accounts from the night of his death, hymns were sung, just as they were on his deathbed - St. Francis is known for his fondness of music.
Franciscan Friars Minor, Father Casey Cole and Father Tito Serrano, also took part in the festivities.
Father Cole, read John 13:1–15, known as “The Washing of Feet,” the precise reading St. Francis requested on his deathbed. Father Cole knows why so many still make the pilgrimage to a small crypt in Italy to venerate the man - his humility.
“It is that humility that made him so attractive then and so inspiring to us today,” Father Cole said. “But humility is not simply littleness…not simply poverty, and certainly not passivity… He was humble before God, who stands for the truth. In fact, if we know him well, we know he was a bit fiery sometimes. He was a man with conviction that stood against the world, against sin, and against greed and had no problem talking about it.”
Father Cole explained that even facing death or disapproval, St. Francis stood up for truth.
“He had no problem correcting, no problem standing up for the truth. Not to put
people down or make people feel bad but to inspire us to reach higher,” he said. “What good is it if we don’t correct someone that is in sin?”
After the service there was a reception where the attendees celebrated with light refreshments. One was St. Francis’ favorite dessert, almond mostaccioli, which he was brought on his deathbed but unable to consume.
— Lisa M. Geraci
