MERIDEN, CT (October 2020) – St. Francis of Assisi could easily be named “the people’s favorite saint.” On October 3, all Franciscans remember his death, his “transitus” with special services that commemorate the blessings he gave to his Brothers, St. Clare and her Sisters, and all his followers. The next day, St. Francis Day, October 4 is a major feast day for Franciscans and for the Church. Masses are offered in remembrance of him who renewed religious life and who upset the norms of the 13th century by living a life of poverty and “rebuilding the Church.”
This year, Pope Francis chose Assisi as the place to sign and launch for the world his new encyclical, All Brothers on October 3. Assisi also was chosen for the beatification of Carlos Acutis, an Italian teenager who is on the way to becoming a saint. All of these events point to the universal love for St. Francis and his special place in the Church.
We offer a series of “Reflections on St. Francis” as part of the celebrations during October focused on St. Francis: