An American friar’s encounter with St. Francis in Assisi

Author: Teresa Peterson

Date Published: March 30, 2026

More than 370,000 people made the pilgrimage to Assisi from Feb. 22 to March 22, 2026, for the first-ever public veneration of St. Francis’ remains, including Br. Greg Friedman, OFM, a Franciscan friar of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe. 

Already in Italy on assignment, he seized this historic opportunity and traveled by bus to Assisi on March 7 with members of the General Curia – the Rome-based headquarters of the worldwide Franciscan Order of Friars Minor. 

Once there, Br. Greg saw the massive crowds and entered a line that brought him into the lower church of the Basilica of St. Francis, a dark, intimate space that holds the crypt of St. Francis. The saint’s remains, also known as relics, were moved from his tomb to a specially prepared table with a glass case to commemorate the 800th anniversary of his passing into eternal life in 1226.  

“One of the ways we connect as human beings is with the physical. So, visiting a tomb, visiting a holy place, being a pilgrim, that has a value,” said Br. Greg about why so many have traveled to this site.   

Friars who serve at the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi pause to pray, reflect and even touch the glass case that holds the remains of the Poor Man of Assisi who continues to inspire with his message of friendship, selflessness and hope. (Courtesy photo from Sala Stampa del Sacro Convento)
Pilgrims wait in long lines to venerate the bodily remains of St. Francis, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. (Courtesy photo from Sala Stampa del Sacro Convento)

A stark reminder

Inside the Basilica, the realization of the saint’s physical mortality becomes overwhelmingly clear.  

“Over the 800 years, there's precious little left,” said Br. Greg. This morbid reality, however, is not the end of the story. “It was a pretty stark reminder that a person lives and dies, does amazing things by the grace of God and leaves a legacy." 

After his encounter with St. Francis, Br. Greg and the friars who were with him paused by the altar nearby and relished in the moment. 

“We all gathered there, we prayed and we sang a hymn. We were all together for a time of prayer and silence in that area so you could reflect on what this was about,” said Br. Greg. 

Friars who serve at the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi pause to pray, reflect and even touch the glass case that holds the remains of the Poor Man of Assisi who continues to inspire with his message of friendship, selflessness and hope. (Courtesy photo from Sala Stampa del Sacro Convento)
Pilgrims wait in long lines to venerate the bodily remains of St. Francis, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. (Courtesy photo from Sala Stampa del Sacro Convento)

What is yours to do

For Br. Greg, this experience brings a renewed appreciation for his ministry as a friar following in the footsteps of St. Francis. 

“As Francis himself would tell us, ‘I have done what is mine to do. Now, may God show you what is yours to do.’ And that's where we are today. What is God showing us contemporary Franciscans? We must discover what Francis’ legacy means for us,” said Br. Greg. 

Not only did he have a close connection with this humble saint, who continues to inspire countless people, but Br. Greg also enjoyed the fraternity of his friar brothers, who were by his side. He joined approximately 100 friars to concelebrate Mass with Minister General Br. Massimo Fusarelli, OFM, in the upper church of the Basilica. During his homily, Br. Massimo provided insight into why St. Francis has captured the hearts and imaginations of so many. 

“We continue to be drawn to this man. In Francis, each of us has seen and recognized, even if it has only been a glimpse, the face of Christ. It is Christ himself who, through Francis, draws us and calls us together in this place, for nothing else than to see him,” said Br. Massimo. 

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