Province celebrates St. Francis with prayer, joy and hope

Author: Eli Pacheco

Date Published: October 14, 2026

Around the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, friars and the communities they serve marked the 800th anniversary of the Transitus and feast of St. Francis in many beautiful ways, gathering in prayer, celebration and fraternity.

Br. Javier Del Ángel De los Santos, OFM, stands in prayer in front of the Chapel of the Transitus in the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, which marks the spot where Francis passed to eternal life on Oct. 3, 1226. (Photo courtesy of Br. Javier)

Across the province and beyond

Assisi, Italy

Experiencing the Transitus in Assisi – site of Francis’ birth, lifelong conversion and passing – provided Br. Javier Del Ángel De los Santos, OFM, a compelling lens for this point in the life of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

At the Porziuncola, where Francis asked to be laid naked on the bare earth as he prepared to greet Sister Death, Br. Javier reflected on the little poor one’s total surrender to God and Jesus’ image of the grain of wheat that falls to the soil and bears fruit. For Br. Javier, the recent unification of five provinces into a single fraternity brings a similar invitation: to honor cherished histories while trusting in God’s promise of new life amid change.

That hope gained deeper meaning as Br. Javier prayed at Francis’ tomb in the Lower Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. The Transitus became not simply a remembrance of death, but a reminder that passage can lead to new life.

“Bringing five distinct provincial legacies into one single fraternity is not a fraternal burial of our past, but a resurrection into a broader, more vibrant witness,” Br. Javier wrote. “It callsf us to trust that the God who sustained Francis through his passage is the same God leading us through our own Transitus.”

St. Isidore's College, Rome

Many gathered in Assisi for the feast of St. Francis, but Br. Greg Friedman, OFM, and the friars at St. Isidore’s College in Rome, a historic Franciscan community established in 1625, celebrated the Transitus with local friends and guests from the Franciscan Pilgrimage Programs. The community at St. Isidore’s includes Franciscans from Germany, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Poland, Slovenia and the United States.

Four new brothers from Africa led various parts of a Transitus service drawn from the Irish Province. Celebrations continued Sunday, when the community welcomed local friends and American visitors for an English-language Mass.

“As always, the Transitus is very personal to each local community,” Br. Greg said.

Br. Seraphim Gonzalez, OFM, gives a reading at Duns Scotus Friary. (Photo courtesy of Duns Scotus Friary)

Br. Michael Fowler, OFM, celebrated Mass for the feast of St. Francis. (Photo courtesy of Duns Scotus Friary)

Brothers Juan Luis Guerrero, OFM, on guitar, and Br. Tyler Grudi, OFM, on cello, provided the musical accompaniment to the feast day activities. (Photo courtesy of Duns Scotus Friary)

Duns Scotus Friary, San Antonio

Friars at Duns Scotus Friary, the Province’s house of studies in San Antonio, commemorated the feast of St. Francis with fraternity, Mass and music. Brothers Seraphim Gonzalez, OFM, Michael Fowler, OFM, and Jesus Lara Romero, OFM, were among those participating. Named for the influential medieval Franciscan philosopher Blessed John Duns Scotus, the formation house offered a joyful setting for friars in formation to celebrate the founder of the Order with their brothers.

Br. Carlos Portillo, OFM, stopped short of puddles for poodles at the pet blessing event in Durham, NC. (Photo courtesy of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church)

Br. Gonzalo de Jesús Torres-Acosta, OFM, blesses several dogs – and their two-legged companions. (Photo courtesy of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church)

Br. Gonzalo de Jesús Torres-Acosta, OFM, gives a blessing to the people and creatures assembled for the blessing of the animals. (Photo courtesy of Immaculate Conception Church)

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Durham, North Carolina

Dogs and other furry companions received a generous blessing at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Durham, North Carolina. Families and pets gathered on the school playground Oct. 3 for the parish’s Blessing of the Animals in honor of St. Francis and his love for God’s creatures.

Mission San José Church, San Antonio

Parishioners at Mission San José Church in San Antonio, a historic Texas mission established in 1720, brought furry friends of all sizes for the blessing of the animals. Cats and dogs arrived on leashes and in loving arms as the community gathered in the mission’s distinctive stone courtyard for the annual Franciscan tradition. (Photos courtesy of Mission San José Church)

Br. Stephen Kluge, OFM, shares a blessing with a terrier. (Photo courtesy of Sacred Heart Parish)

Br. Michael Jones, OFM, provides the hooved helpers in law enforcement with a St. Francis blessing. (Photo courtesy of Sacred Heart Parish)

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Tampa, Florida

More than 100 neighbors and their pets gathered at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tampa, Florida, for the blessing of the animals. Friars and friends from the Franciscan Center welcomed the community to kick off Sacred Heart’s Franciscan celebrations. By the looks of the photos, the pups received their blessings in very good spirits.

Parishioners carry an effigy of St. Francis during a feast day procession at San Xavier del Bac Mission in Tucson, AZ. (Photo courtesy of San Xavier del Bac Mission)

Br. Christopher Kerstiens, OFM, pastor of San Xavier del Bac Mission in Tucson, AZ, leads a feast day Mass. (Photo courtesy of San Xavier del Bac Mission)

San Xavier del Bac Mission, Arizona

San Xavier del Bac Mission near Tucson, Arizona, hosted several days of celebration and prayer for the feast of St. Francis. Pastor Br. Christopher Kersteins, OFM, celebrated Mass during a busy weekend that included a blessing of animals, processions carrying an image of St. Francis, the rosary, community meals at the Feast House and the Transitus. The historic mission has been home to Franciscan ministry since the 18th century.

Brothers Larry Ford, OFM, left, and Kevin Kriso, OFM, blessed students as part of Francis Week at St. Bonaventure University’s campus chapel. (Photo by Br. Jud Weiksnar, OFM)

Br. Kevin Kriso, OFM, blesses Parker, with his person, Mike Kelley. (Photo courtesy of St. Bonaventure University)

St. Bonaventure University

Francis Week brought the St. Bonaventure University campus community together around themes of care for creation, compassion, peace, service and presence with those on the margins. Events included daily Mass, service opportunities, a blessing of the animals, and Transitus and feast day liturgies. Br. Kevin Kriso, OFM, blessed animals; he and Br. Larry Ford, OFM, also offered a blessing to students in the university chapel.

The brothers of St. Clement Friary, ready for Mass. (Photo by Br. Frank Jasper, OFM)

Just one of many sweet puppies who received a special blessing in Cincinnati – this one from Br. Manuel Viera, OFM. (Photo by Br. Frank Jasper, OFM)

Br. Joshua Richter, OFM, kneels in prayer before a Franciscan habit placed at the altar during the Transitus. (Photo by Br. Frank Jasper, OFM)

St. Clement Friary, Cincinnati

Friars at St. Clement Friary in Cincinnati came together for prayer and the traditional blessing of animals. Among them was Br. Joshua Richter, OFM, a Cincinnati-area native who professed solemn vows in 2025 and was ordained in August. Br. Joshua Richter, OFM, led the Transitus prayer service.

Left, Br. James Gannon, OFM, and Br. Matthew Ryan, OFM, commence blessing canines in New Jersey. (Photo courtesy of St. Francis of Assisi Parish)

As Br. Francis Di Spigno, OFM, administered blessings to the tiniest of pets, at least one postulant pup candidate emerged. (Photo courtesy of St. Francis of Assisi Parish)

Feast day activities such as the pet blessing were a joy for Br. Francis Di Spigno, OFM, and friends. (Photo courtesy of St. Francis of Assisi Parish)

St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Long Beach Island, New Jersey

Four-legged friends highlighted feast day at St. Francis of Assisi Parish on Long Beach Island, New Jersey. Families and pets big and small gathered outside the Brant Beach church Oct. 3 for the annual blessing of the animals. Donations of pet food and supplies were collected for a local animal shelter, and the celebration included a pet contest.

Br. Tony Posadas, OFM, blesses animals outside of St. Peter’s Church in Chicago. (Photo courtesy of St. Peter’s in the Loop)

Br. Bob Hutmacher, OFM, led the Transitus service at St. Peter’s Church. (Photo courtesy of St. Peter’s in the Loop)

Br. Thom Smith, at the ambo, co-lead the Transitus services. (Photo courtesy of St. Peter’s in the Loop)

St. Peter's in the Loop, Chicago

The St. Peter’s in the Loop community in Chicago commemorated St. Francis’ feast with a blessing of animals, music and prayer. The 800th anniversary of the Transitus came as the historic downtown church celebrates 150 years of Franciscan ministry; friars have served there since 1875. Br. Bob Hutmacher, OFM, led the Transitus service, with Br. Thom Smith, OFM, co-presiding and Music Director Michael Silhavy leading a 12-piece choir.