Transitus of Saint Francis: Welcoming Sister Death

Seven hundred ninety-nine years ago this evening, October 3, 1226, Francis of Assisi passed from this life into the fullness of the Divine.

Yielding up the spirit of life

Francis' health had been sharply declining, and several months earlier, he had asked to come home to Assisi. According to St. Bonaventure’s account, Francis was being nursed in the bishop’s residence in the city, but aware that his death was imminent, “he asked to be carried to St. Mary of the Portiuncula so that he might yield up the spirit of life where he had received the spirit of grace.” There he was cared for in a special way by four friar companions—Leo, Rufino, Angelo, and John 'de Laudibus'—and his close friend from Rome, the noblewoman Lady Jacoba di Settesoli.

Francis was surrounded by his loved ones at his hour of death.

Falling asleep in the Lord

After exhorting and consoling his companions, “he asked that the book of the Gospels be brought and the Gospel according to John be read from the place that begins ‘Before the Feast of Passover’ (Jn 13:1). He himself, insofar as he was able, broke out with the Psalm: ‘I have cried to the Lord with my voice’ (Ps. 142). . . .At last, when all God’s mysteries were fulfilled in him, the blessed man fell asleep in the Lord.” (Bonaventure, “Major Legend,” 14.5-6)

The Transitus of St. Francis, by the late David Haack, OFM (c. 2010). St. Bonaventure University, New York

Testimony to the glory of the saint

Bonaventure adds: “Larks are birds that love the light. . . but at the hour of the holy man’s passing, although it was twilight and night was to follow, they came in a great flock over the roof of the house and, whirling around for a long time with unusual joy, gave clear and evident testimony to the glory of the saint.” Since Francis passed away in the evening hours, it was, liturgically speaking, already October 4, which is when we celebrate Francis’ feast day.

Stained glass window depicting the passage from Francis's Canticle of the Creatures: "Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whom no human living can escape." Artist: Scott Parson, Franciscan Renewal Center, Scottsdale, Arizona

Significant, even necessary annual event

For centuries now, Franciscan men and women throughout the world begin our observance of the feast of St. Francis by gathering the evening of the 3rd for a reflective paraliturgical ritual to mark his passover to eternal life. As Daniel Grigassy, OFM, remarks: "The Transitus has become a significant, even necessary annual event. To ritually revisit the story of Francis's passing is vital. Without it something significant is missing (from our celebration of his feast). It specifies the living memory of Francis; it intensifies our common commitment to follow Christ in the way of the poor man of Assisi."

The chapel of the Transitus within the basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Assisi, near the Portiuncula chapel. This little chapel was built over the spot where Francis passed away.

A life in process of dying to self and being born to deeper life

Indeed, what kind of person could say, "Welcome Sister Death"? This ritual reminds us that Francis’s whole life, once he began following in the footsteps of Jesus, had been a process of dying to self and being born to newer, deeper levels of life. This last step would complete that journey and bring him to total union with the Risen Christ and with all people in the fullness of God's life.

Saint Clare nursing Saint Francis and seeing the wounds of the Stigmata. Historically speaking, this moving image depicts something that "might have happened"—we know that when Francis was very ill and depressed in 1225, he went to San Damiano where he was nursed by the Poor Sisters, but we also know that he always took care to conceal the wounds while he was alive. What is certain, though, is the deeper meaning: the vessel of water Clare is using is engraved with a phrase from the Gospel passage that Francis asked to be read at his death: the Washing of the Feet at the Last Supper: "I have given you an example that you also should do." (Artist Karen Schmidt, Franciscan Renewal Center, Scottsdale, Arizona) 

A social, celebratory element for the community

This is why contemporary Transitus services generally have a social, celebratory element for the community after the solemn marking of Francis’s death. These usually include delicious almond cookies—St. Francis’ favorite. Lady Jacoba would often serve these cookies to her friend, Francis. He asked for them as he lay dying, surrounded by friends.

A Transitus service would not be complete without almond cookies!

Main image: The moving image is a detail from a fresco by Giotto in the Bardi Chapel, Santa Croce, Florence (1325-28).