Transitus at Divine Mercy Fraternity 2007

DIVINE MERCY FRATERNITY – SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER

The Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi
October 3

Leader: From the earliest days of the Franciscan Order, the followers of St. Francis have gathered on the anniversary of his death to celebrate his Transitus, that is, St. Francis' passage from earthly life into everlasting life. Here in this place, we, too, gather to celebrate the light which Francis was to his world. But, this celebration is not only a memorial, a remembering of one who has gone before us. It is also a celebration of the spirit of Francis in our midst today, in each of us. This is a time when we, inspired by Francis, consider how we can be light for our world.

Hymn: (421*) "Where Charity and Love Prevail" (Benoit) Verse 1, 2, 4 & 5

During the hymn, the candle bearer carries a large lighted candle symbolizing the light of St. Francis' life to the candle stand.

Narrators: The Story of the Death of St. Francis

1. At this time Francis was staying in the palace of the Bishop of Assisi, and he therefore asked the brothers to take him as quickly as possible to the place of St. Mary of the Portiuncula. For he wished to give back his soul to God in that place where, as has been said, he first knew the way of truth perfectly. The Life of Saint Francis by Thomas of Celano, The Second Book, Chapter VII #108, p. 277 or The Assisi Compilation, # 5, p. 120.

2. Then blessed Francis, despite the overpowering burden of his sickness, praised the Lord in a great joyful outburst of body and soul, saying to his companion: "Since I must soon die, have Brother Angel and Brother Leo come and praise our Sister Death for me." Both arrived and, forcing back their tears, sang the "Canticle of Brother Sun" and of the other creatures, which the saint had composed during his sickness for the glory of God and for the consolation of his soul and of that of the others. The Assisi Compilation, # 7, p. 121.

3. While therefore the brothers were weeping very bitterly and grieving inconsolably, the Holy Father commanded that bread be brought to him. He blessed and broke it and gave a small piece of it to each one to eat. Commanding also that a book of the Gospels be brought, he asked that the Gospel according to St. John be read to him from the place that begins: "Before the feast of the Passover." He was recalling that most holy supper which the Lord celebrated as his last supper with his disciples. He did all of this in reverent memory of that supper, showing thereby the deep love he had for his brothers. The Remembrance of the Desire of a Soul by Thomas of Celano, The Second Book, Chapter CLXIII, #217, p. 387.

4. Then [Francis] spent the few days that remained before his death in praise, teaching his companions whom he loved so much to praise Christ with him. He himself, in as far as he was able broke forth in this psalm, "I cried to the Lord with my voice: with my voice I made supplication to the Lord." He also invited all creatures to praise God. He exhorted death itself, terrible and hateful to all, to give praise, and going joyfully to meet it, he invited it to make its lodging with him.

5. Then Francis said to the brothers: "When you see that I am brought to my last moments, place me naked upon the ground just as you saw me the day before yesterday; and let me lie there after I am dead for the length of time it takes one to walk a mile unhurriedly." The hour therefore came, and all the mysteries of Christ being fulfilled in him, he winged his way happily to God. The Remembrance of the Desire of a Soul by Thomas of Celano, The Second Book, Chapter CLXIII, #217, p. 388.

Reading: John 13: 1-17

"Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Master, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later." Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me." Simon Peter said to him, "Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well."

Jesus said to him, "Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all." For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, "Not all of you are clean." So when he had washed their feet (and) put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, "Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me 'teacher' and 'master,' and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do. "Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it." "Liguori Faithware Bible, Bible on disk for Catholics, © 1995, Liguori Publications and CTI.

Response: Psalm 142. Pray antiphonally.

I pray, I plead,
I cry for mercy, Lord;
I pour out all my troubles,
the story of my distress.
My spirit fails me.

You know the road I walk
and the traps hidden from me.
See what they are doing!
No one befriends me
or cares for me.

There is no escape,
so, I turn to you, Lord.
I know you are my refuge,
all I have in the land of the living.
I am pleading, hear me!
I have no strength.
God, rescue me!

They hunt me down,
and overwhelm me.
Free me from this cage!
Then I will praise your name
and gather with the just
to thank you for your kindness.

Glory be to God, our Creator, to Jesus, the Christ,
and to the Holy Spirit
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be forever. Amen.

Leader: In John's Gospel we heard Jesus' words, "What I just did was to give you an example: as I have done, so you must do." St. Francis has told us, "I have done what is mine to do. May Christ teach you what is yours." Take time to consider these mandates. How has my life changed since I met Francis? Who is St. Francis for me?

After some time for quiet reflection, take a few moments to share what you wish of your reflection with the person next to you. At the conclusion of the sharing, we will light candles as a sign of Christ's light, passed on through Francis, now shining in us. When all the candles are lit, we will remain seated and sing.

Hymn: (524*) Blest Are They (Haas)

Intercessions: All stand.

Response: Merciful One, hear our prayer.

That Christians of every culture, race, and nation joyfully bring the gospel
to the whole world, we pray...

That all of us as followers of Christ show compassion to people who are poor or suffering, we pray...

That those who serve the common good, elected officials and public servants might serve in wisdom and love, we pray...

That all who work, nurture, teach, sustain and guide may recognize the good they do, and be themselves nurtured and sustained, we pray...

That all of us who are called to prayer and contemplation find refreshment, wonder and transformation in the experience, we pray...

Leader: Loving and Merciful God, you have gifted your mystical body with the life of Francis, a light for us on our journey to you. Continue to pour out your Spirit on all creation, reconciling all in love and in the peace which you promised us. We ask this in your name. Amen.

Leader: As a sign of the blessing and peace we are for each other, let us extend our hand in blessing and pray...

All: May God bless and protect you,
May God look on you with mercy,
May God give you peace.

Leader: Let us offer each other a sign of that peace.

After a sign of peace is exchanged, the leader concludes...

Leader: In the footsteps of Christ, Francis did what was his to do. Let us
celebrate this gift and go forth in the footsteps of Francis, to do what
is ours!

Hymn: (549*) God of Day and God of Darkness (BEACH SPRING)

(*) "Today’s Missal – Music Issue 2003" Oregon Catholic Press (These copies belong to the Fraternity)

This Transitus service is based on the format published at http://www.osfphila.org/sp/pryr_svcs/prayer_transitus.html
(Used with permission)