Transitus

Transitus in candle-light

Today is the Transitus or Passing of St. Francis which we celebrate in the evening. For 800 years it's been the same moving liturgy ... the reading of the last hours of St. Francis' life ... the singing of the Canticle of the Sun, the lights are turned off leaving only the candle-light in our hands as we sing the ancient hymn to send the soul of St. Francis to heaven O Sanctissima Anima and the final when all the sons and daughters of St. Francis hail as our common father. It's very moving.

The special altar to St. Francis' relic was created by an italian artiste and the Custos who presided over the liturgy blessed everyone with the relic. The Church of St. Savior was packed to standing room only.

The Custos gives the blessing

Our young friars ... 26 of them ... renewed their profession during the liturgy. This year again we have  an abundant flow of vocations and our seminaries are full to over capacity. There's been so many young vocations that we had to divide the seminary into 2 locations and now even that's not enough so we have to house some of our seminarians in the guest-house. That good and hopeful sign.

After 2 days in bed, my sprained back is alot better. I managed to walk and stand ... so I slowly made my way to St. Saviour's for the Transitus. It was worth it. Now it's time to go home slowly ... and rest till tomorrow for the feast.