Transitus, derived from Latin, means “passage” or “crossing,” signifying the transition from our earthly existence to a new life in heaven.
On the evening before St. Francis’s feast day, Franciscans around the world come together to celebrate the Transitus of St. Francis. This sacred occasion invites us to pray, reflect, and express gratitude for the life and teachings of St. Francis, the founder of the Franciscan order.
This year, we marked the Transitus in a particularly meaningful way during the October Come & See retreat. Coinciding with St. Francis’s feast day, retreatants were blessed with the relic of St. Francis, allowing them moments of veneration during their discernment retreat in Berkeley, CA.
On the Feast of St. Francis, the retreatants and friars took to the streets of Berkeley with the relic. As they sang, “Jesus, Remember Me When You Come Into Your Kingdom,” passersby paused to observe the procession. Several neighbors who witnessed our gathering approached us later that weekend, inquiring about its significance, leading to powerful conversations and moments of evangelization.
A central theme during the Transitus was the concept of “Sister Death.” St. Francis is often depicted with a skull in various artworks, symbolizing his understanding of death not as something morbid, but as a means of detaching from worldly attachments—such as clothes, money, material possessions, and even one’s ego. This detachment allows for a deeper relationship with God.
The retreat emphasized that even attachment to our own lives can hinder our closeness to God. This powerful idea encouraged the men to consider what they might need to relinquish to more fully follow Christ, including worldly pursuits in the journey toward religious life.
Please keep our retreatants in your prayers.
Another highlight from Transitus was at St. Lawrence of Brindisi Church, Watts, CA. Auxiliary bishop Matthew Elshoff, Fr. Moses Khisa, Fr. Hung Nguyen, Br. Mark Mance, Br. Robery Sewe and many more gathered to celebrate Transitus.
St. Francis, pray for us as we strive to follow Christ in your footsteps.
