Archbishop Lori delivers homily for Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi

Archbishop William E. Lori delivered a homily for the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi at the Conventual Franciscans in Ellicott City on October 3, 2026.

The Archbishop described the Transitus as a moment to accompany the saint on his final journey. He noted that friars, sisters, and lay faithful gather on this evening to hear the story of Francis lying upon the bare earth, the reading of the Passion, his final blessing, and the singing of Psalm 141.

Lori highlighted the saint's final words, which ask that Christ teach others what is theirs, as a theme for the Franciscan family. He stated that the anniversary serves as a reflection on what Christ asks of Franciscans today and what kind of witness is needed in an age marked by division, anxiety, loneliness, and distrust.