Transitus 2011: Honoring St. Francis of Assisi
On the evening of Monday, October 3, 2011, mission candidates and staff members of Franciscan Mission Service (FMS) attended the Transitus ceremony at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America in Washington, D.C. The Transitus ceremony, which annually commerates the passing of St. Francis from earthly life to eternal life, was attended by Franciscans from each of the three orders and secular Franciscans, as well as members of the public. The event included a gathering inside of the Memorial Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a candlelight procession, a gathering around the Portiuncula church, the sharing of bread, and refreshments afterwards.
Candlelight procession through the Monastery’s gardens.
Photo: Kitzi Hendricks
Gathering and the sharing of bread around the Portiuncula.
Photo: Kitzi Hendricks
This year’s Transitus ceremony was very special for FMS because its Executive Director Kim Smolik was the guest speaker during the ceremony. Giving credit to the lives and ministries of current Franciscans, as well as lay missioners, she focused on how to live a Franciscan life through 4 “R’s”:
Reconciliation
Relevancy to people’s lives
Radical solidarity with the poor; and
Maintaining a relational presence.
Radical solidarity with the poor; and
Maintaining a relational presence.
FMS Executive Director Kim Smolik delivers a special
presentation during the Transitus ceremony.
Photo: Kitzi Hendricks
Kim’s complete talk can be found here.
For Reflection: Within the Christian tradition, what are some of your examples of what it means to be a reconciler, relevant, radical, or relational? Is one more important than the others in living out Franciscan ideals?
By: Matt Lorch
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