As the popularity of Pope Francis continues to grow right around the world, local Catholics took part in an ancient tradition in honour of the saint whose name the Holy Father chose when he was elected.
The Secular Franciscan Order in Perth celebrated the Transitus of St Francis of Assisi on October 3 at Our Lady Queen of Poland church in Maylands.
About 30 members of the Order joined members of Perth’s Polish community for the Mass, during which they professed a renewal of commitment.
To symbolise the death and transition of St Francis from earth into heaven, an empty Franciscan habit was laid at the foot of the altar.
Fr Tomasz Bujakowski OFM, who celebrated the Mass along with Fr Stanislaw Tomasiak OFM and Fr Marcellinus Meilak OFM, told the congregation that they could learn from the way St Francis lived “in transit”.
“It’s our way to follow. It’s not easy, it’s very challenging and difficult for us to really believe that we are only pilgrims in the world,” Fr Thomasz, who is the Secular Franciscan’s spiritual assistant, said.
“The time here is really only a transfer time. If we try to live as a pilgrim on the earth it will be easier to cope with difficulties and problems in our lives.”
Member of the Secular Franciscan Order for the past seven years Angela McGuire said St Francis’ transition from earth to heaven was an important event.
There are about 120 members of the Secular Franciscan Order in Perth, although many of those are unable to attend meetings, Mrs McGuire said.
“Each member is required to attend a meeting once a month, plus the special occasions like the Transitus of St Francis and the Transitus of St Clare,” she said.
The Mass included three unique readings recounting the saint’s illness and suffering at the time of his death and his final actions.
It is believed the celebration of the Transitus first became common in France in the 18th century.
During his pastoral visit to Assisi, which coincided with St Francis’ feast day, Pope Francis warned against a spirit of “worldliness”.
“Today [the Church] must strip herself of a very grave danger, which threatens every person in the Church, everyone: the danger of worldliness,” he said.
“The Christian cannot coexist with the spirit of the world, with the worldliness that leads us to vanity, to arrogance, to pride.”
St Francis of Assisi was born in 1181 and died on October 3, 1226.