6 October 2026

On Saturday 3 October 2026, the Franciscan family gathered at the Church of Saint-Germain-l’Auxerrois in Paris to celebrate the Transitus of Saint Francis of Assisi, 800 years after his death. This prayer vigil brought together different branches of the Franciscan family to remember the man who, eight centuries later, continues to unite them.

The Transitus: a passage into eternity

In Franciscan tradition, the word “Transitus”, from the Latin, refers to the act of “passing over” or “going beyond”. Every year, on the evening of 3 October, the eve of the feast of Saint Francis, Franciscans commemorate his death, which took place on 3 October 1226. For Christians, death is an end, but it is not the end: it is a passage into eternity.

Francis lived his final moments in this hope. As his life drew to a close, he sang Psalm 141 and welcomed death as the fulfilment of his vocation. In remembrance of this passage, the Office of the Transitus is celebrated every year on the evening of 3 October, with hymns, psalms and the Word of God.

The whole Franciscan family gathered in Paris

At Saint-Germain-l’Auxerrois, the vigil was prepared and led by representatives of several branches of the Franciscan family: Sister Fanny, a Franciscan Missionary of Mary; Sister Claire Lucie de l’Espérance, a Franciscan Sister Reparatrice of Jesus-Host; Sister Léa, a Franciscan Missionary of Our Lady; Catherine, a Secular Franciscan; Brother Elvin and Brother Joseph, Capuchins; and Brother Vianney and Brother Christophe, Franciscans. Sister Fanny represented the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary.

Accompanied by beautiful singing, the vigil offered an opportunity to rediscover the story of Saint Francis. Children, an OFM Franciscan friar and Sister Fanny told the story of his life like a large book whose pages were gradually turned, with each page projected onto a screen.

Stories and testimonies led the participants into the liturgy of the Transitus. The evening continued with the veneration of the relic of Saint Francis’s habit, before concluding with a time of fellowship.

The Transitus celebrated in FMM communities

The Franciscan Missionaries of Mary also celebrated the Transitus in their various communities.

At the Manoir des Châtelets in Ploufragan, the Sisters welcomed members of the diocesan Franciscan family, friends, visitors and people passing through for a meditative walk through the forest. Listening to the Testament of Saint Francis, participants were invited to reflect on their relationship with others, their view of the Church, their fraternal relationships and their relationship with Creation. The gathering concluded with refreshments, followed by the celebration of the Passover of Saint Francis in the chapel.

At La Madeleine, near Lille, the Sisters also celebrated this 800th anniversary. At Saint-Maurice Church in Lille, prayer and conversation brought together people from different backgrounds, including Catholics, Evangelical Protestants and atheists.

These celebrations offered an opportunity to remember Saint Francis’s passage into eternity and to recognise that, 800 years after his death, his path continues to bring people together and to challenge us.

See photos of the vigil at Saint-Germain-l’Auxerrois – Diocese of Paris