The Transitus of St. Francis

Sunday, October 3, 2027Evening

Friars gather around the body of St. Francis while angels carry him up to heaven. — Giotto, *Death and Ascension of St. Francis*, about 1297 to 1299, Upper Basilica, Assisi. Public domain.

The Transitus is the evening service that remembers the death of St. Francis. This year marks the jubilee of his death: he died 800 years ago, on the evening of October 3, 1226.

The Year of St. Francis

Pope Leo XIV opened a Year of St. Francis for the 800th anniversary of his death. During the Year of St. Francis, through January 10, 2027, the Church grants a plenary indulgence for a pilgrimage visit to a Franciscan church or a church dedicated to St. Francis, spending time there in prayer for charity and peace and closing with the Our Father, the Creed and prayers to Mary, St. Francis, St. Clare and the saints of the Franciscan family. The usual conditions apply (confession, Communion, a prayer for the pope’s intentions, and being free of attachment to any sin, even venial). The sick, the elderly and those who care for them can gain it at home by uniting their prayers and sufferings to the Jubilee, intending to meet the usual conditions as soon as they can.

Source: Year of St. Francis decree, Apostolic Penitentiary, 2026.

How to Celebrate the Transitus

Watch the service, a ten-minute evening prayer service read by The Ordinary Times, with readings from Thomas of Celano, Psalm 142 and John 13. Watch on YouTube
Join a Transitus service on the evening of October 3. Services near you
Or keep it at home. The Secular Franciscans’ Transitus service for the home (PDF)The Franciscan home service: it opens with Evening Prayer, then his Testament, Psalm 142 and the account of his death.
Readings from his first biographers on his last day, with Psalm 142 and John 13. Print our order of service
Print the family blessing, the blessing St. Francis gave Brother Leo, set as a printable card. Download and print