As part of the celebration of the eighth centenary of the passing of our father St. Francis, an especially important component is the exposition of the remains of the Poverello of Assisi, promoted by the Friars Minor Conventual at St. Francis Basilica, from February 21 to March 22. Standing before his relics we come face to face with the mysteries of his entire life, spurring us on to personal reflection that helps us to see ourselves in light of him and to renew our resolve to be more authentic Franciscans.
Many Capuchin friars have already made pilgrimages during this period, either individually or as fraternities or provinces. It is important that all those who have the opportunity and desire follow suit. We remind you to respect the procedures indicated for a visit: namely, to book an appointment on the established days and times via the website www.sanfrancescovive.org.
To mark this great occasion, our General Minister Br. Roberto Genuin will celebrate Holy Mass on Saturday, March 14, at 11:00 a.m. Therefore, the friars of the General Curia and the houses dependent on it (International College, Frascati, Garbatella, and Consolazione, etc.) and other friars are organizing a “Capuchin visit” to our Father Francis. The meeting point will be at the Basilica of St. Clare at 9:00 a.m. (the ancient church of St. George, where St. Francis was initially buried). From there, we will go to the Basilica of St. Francis, where we will have the opportunity to venerate his remains in the Lower Church, and then go up to the Upper Church to celebrate Holy Mass together.
This centenary is interlaced with the journey that we Capuchins are making towards the 500th anniversary of our Reform. We remember that it was precisely in the years leading up to the celebrations for the third centenary of the death of St. Francis that some friars chose to reform Franciscan life, giving rise to our Capuchin family. Therefore, the present year is a time of special grace, which shouldn’t be passed in vain: let us reclaim the values that Francis lived and modeled for us to ever better “enlighten our minds and inflame our hearts.” We are, still and always will be on a journey: let us temper our steps on the way of the Gospel according to the example and manner that Francis left us as a legacy.