St. Francis of Assisi marks 800th anniversary of saint’s death

Bishop Frank J. Caggiano celebrated Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Church on Sunday, September 27, to mark the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi. Parishioners gathered for the liturgy, which honored the patron saint of the church.

During his homily, Bishop Caggiano spoke about the life of St. Francis and the distinction between human wants and spiritual needs. He described how the saint, born into a wealthy family, experienced a life-changing encounter with a leper that led him to see Jesus in outcasts. The bishop noted that Francis abandoned material wealth to serve Jesus and responded to the call at San Damiano to rebuild the Church through holiness and service to others.

Father Augustine Nguyen, the pastor, described the celebration as a beautiful day for the parish community.