May 25 - Dedication of the Patriarchal Basilica of Our Holy Father St. Francis at Assisi and Commemoration of the Transfer of the Body of St. Francis

This feast and commemorative are observed by all branches of the Franciscan Order. When St. Francis died in 1226, he was buried in the Church of St. George in Assisi (now a chapel in Santa Chiara, and the shrine of the original San Damiano Crucifix.) Two years later St. Francis was solemnly canonized, and the building of San Francesco at the other end of the town was begun. In May, 1230, the body of the saint was transferred to the new church; and in 1253, on the anniversary of the transfer, Pope Innocent IV consecrated the Church of San Francesco. Pope Benedict XIV (1740-1758) raised it to the rank of a patriarchal basilica and papal chapel.

from The Franciscan Book of Saints, edited by Marion Habig, OFM
Copyright 1959 Franciscan Herald Press
used with written permission of the publisher (via NAFRA)

Basilica of Our Holy Father St. Francis at Assisi

Since the Regional Annual Meeting took place May 23-25, and Corpus Christi occurred on May 25th,
Fr. Kevin, TOR (CNSA) celebrated the Dedication of the Patriarchal Basilica of Our Holy Father St. Francis at Assisi and Commemoration of the Transfer of the Body of St. Francis, on Saturday, May 24th at San Pedro Center.