October 3, the day before the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, marks the day on which the saint passed from the world to eternal life. He bade his brothers to lay him naked on the ground so that he would depart this world as he came into it. They were to leave his lifeless body on the ground for as long as it takes “to walk a leisurely mile.”
Tonight the entire Franciscan Family will sing Psalm 142 in which we hear St. Francis ask the Lord: "Release my soul from this prison. . ."
The antiphon for that psalm reads as follows: O sanctissima anima, in cuius transitu cœli cives occurrunt, angelorum chorus exsultat, et gloriosa Trinitas invitat dicens: mane nobiscum in æternum. “
O most holy soul, upon whose passing from this life the citizens of heaven rush to greet you, the choir of angels shout with joy, and the glorious Trinity bids you come, saying: stay with us forever.
The thirteenth century biographies of this saint, written by men who actually knew St. Francis, tell us that his death took place where the Order was begun, the chapel of Our Lady of the Angels of the Portiuncula (Little Portion). The story is both inspiring as well as humorous as well. After all, how can we ever forget that this man, who spent most of his adult life fasting, asked his brothers to call Lady Jacoba to his side and to bring with her his favorite treat, her almond cookies.
As he lay dying he asked his brothers to read the Gospel of John to him beginning at chapter thirteen: 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. (John 13:1)
“Salve, Sancte Paer, patriae lux, forma Minorum, virtutis speculum, recti via, regula morum; catenis ab exsilio duc nox ad regna polorum.” Hail, Holy Father, light of your land, model of the Friars Minor, mirror of virtue, path of goodness, rule of right relationship; from our exile here below and from our earthly bonds, lead us to the kingdom of heaven.
Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator