On the night of 3 October, at the Parish of St Bernadette’s, Dundas Valley, there was darkness. Nothing but a few candles could be seen glowing in the church sanctuary as silence penetrated the air. All of a sudden, the distinct sound of rustling cloth could be heard, slowly making its way up the main aisle towards the warmly lit crucifix before the altar. The four, pointed hoods of Franciscans were raised, carrying between them a litter with what looked like a sleeping friar. As they reached the altar, they carefully lay down the body before the crucifix. The face of Christ is gentle, his expression resigned with His arms outstretched, bearing the marks of His love for humanity, and embracing the friar placed in front of Him into eternal life.
There is an ancient tradition going back to the 13th century of honouring Saint Francis of Assisi by a public re-enactment of his passing from death into the eternal kingdom of heaven. St Francis was a young, Italian man and son to a successful cloth merchant. After having experienced a call by God to rebuild the Church which was falling into ruin, he turned from a life of wealth, extravagance and self-indulgence to one of poverty and humility. His love of God was deeply rooted in the Incarnation, his adoration of the Blessed Eucharist and the Passion and sufferings of Our Lord. This man considered himself the greatest sinner in the world, yet is arguably one of the most influential models for holiness. He started the religious order of Franciscans, calling them the Friars Minor to indicate that they would be the lowest of all people, teaching his friars to serve all, especially the poor, and to give witness to the Gospel of Christ.
A Franciscan robe representing St Francis of Assisi is seen during the commemoration of the transitus of the saint at St Bernadette’s Parish, Dundas Valley, in October 2023. Image: Friars of St Francis/Supplied
The Latin word, ‘transitus’, or ‘passage’, refers to the period when someone transitions from death to eternal life. Every year, the Friars of St Francis hold a nine-day Novena in honour of St Francis, going through the life of the Saint, participating in adoration of the Blessed Eucharist, and finally ending on the feast of his transitus, his glorious entrance into eternal splendour. Each of the stories of the life of St Francis gives extraordinary testimony to the power of God. He lay in a fire to convert a prostitute, came into contact with a savage wolf that was attacking and killing people and tamed it, and he convinced the Muslim Sultan, al-Malik al-Kâmil, to renounce Islam and be baptised before his death.
St Bernadette’s Parish has grown to appreciate the great saint, and every year, stories of miracles attributed to the novena have come to pass. Four years ago, a couple were pregnant and went to the doctor for an ultrasound to check on the progress of their child, but were given the news that their baby was going to be born with Down syndrome. On top of that, the nasal cartilage and arm were missing, at which the doctor recommended the couple have an abortion. The uncle of the couple heard of this news and, having come in previous years to the novena at St Bernadette’s, prayed for the special intention of the healing of their child. On the ninth night of the novena, he went back home and checked his phone to see that he had received a message. The couple had gone in for an ultrasound earlier that day and to the shock of both the couple and doctor, discovered that the baby had no sign of Down syndrome or any missing limbs. St Francis had answered their prayer.
The celebration of the feast concluded this year on the following Sunday where parishioners gathered outside the church, bringing along their pets. The parish priest, Father Christopher, called to attention all the people with their animals; colourful birds in their cages, adorable kittens, excited and smiley dogs, and even (unfounded) rumours of a crocodile on the way. The blessing of the animals is a special commemoration of St Francis’ love for the animals he encountered, his favourite animal being the Lark, a bird which sung sweetly as it flew heavenward and which served as an example to the friars that they too should sing their praises to God, and have their conversation in things of Heaven.
Br Anthony of the Sacred Heart FSP is a member of the Friars of St Francis community at St Bernadette’s Parish, Dundas Valley.
