After spiritual conversion, St. Francis spent rest of life seeking to live Gospel, rector says

Catholics gathered at the National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi in San Francisco on Oct. 3 to observe the Transitus, the commemoration of the passing of St. Francis of Assisi. The service included Capuchin Franciscans, Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, Dominican friars, Salesian sisters, sisters of the Fraternité Notre Dame, and laypeople traveling from locations as far as San Diego.

The Transitus service featured seven readings and hymns that recounted the life of St. Francis and the elements that formed his spirituality. During the service, a Franciscan habit was placed on a makeshift bier with an Easter candle behind it to symbolize the resurrection.

Father Bobby Barbato, the Capuchin Franciscan rector of the National Shrine, delivered a homily reflecting on the conversion of St. Francis. Father Barbato noted that while Francis had heard the Gospel for the first 24 years of his life, he did not seriously practice it until his encounter with a leper transformed his perspective. Father Barbato stated that Francis spent the remainder of his life attempting to live according to the Gospel.