Franciscans are known to nurture a nature-loving spirituality, so it makes good sense that as we enter autumn, a time of seasonal change, we set aside time and space to remember and reflect on the passing of Francis of Assisi on the evening of October 3 before we jump ahead and celebrate his feast day on October 4. At many Franciscans parishes, communities, and households, followers of the Poverello—the little poor man, as Francis is often called—will pause on October 3 to commemorate the final passing—or Transitus—of the saint from this life to the next.
While the liturgies vary, there is a common feature of the receptions that follow the Transitus: almond cookies. Francis’ trusted friend, generous benefactor, and faithful caregiver, Lady Jacoba, brought the saint’s favorite cookies when she came to visit him one last time on his deathbed. We enjoy the cookies, that’s for sure. But this year, perhaps we can pause and consider the significance of the cookies in the relationship between saint and friend; saint and benefactor; saint and caregiver.
How we choose to commemorate this poignant transition in Francis’ life speaks volumes about our own faith. I invite you to read this article in the October 2024 issue of St. Anthony Messenger that takes us into the side of the Franciscan tradition that often gets overlooked: the relationship behind the cookies.
