St. Francis Remembered: LSM Celebrates Transitus
St. Francis Remembered: LSM Celebrates Transitus
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The Link, October 3, 2024
By Carlo Luis F. Villacorta
The Lourdes School of Mandaluyong community came together last October 3, 2024, to celebrate one of the most important events in the life of the institution’s patron saint, St. Francis of Assisi, and one of the most moving traditions of the school.
Just a day before his feast day, a re-enactment of the final moments of St. Francis, also known as the Transitus, was held at the St. Francis of Assisi Parish. This momentous occasion was attended by the students, teachers, non-teaching personnel, and administrators of the LSM community as well as the Inter-Franciscan Minister Conference Organization. Numerous devotees and congregations flocked from all over the Philippines to witness the transition of the Seraphic Father into eternal life.
As a yearly tradition of the school, select students from Grade 12, including Manuel Dela Fuente IV, acted as St. Francis and his other companions. This year, these said students were directed by Mr. Gomer Lejano and Mr. Michael Franks Pammit to create a truly moving depiction. Their handwork, along with the effort of the whole school community, really made this celebration even more special and inspiring. The re-enactment consisted of St. Francis’ final journey back to the Portiuncula, his final days, his farewell to his brothers, his acceptance of Sister Death, and his concluding embrace with Christ crucified on the cross.
This celebration, with its combination of acting, singing, prayer, reflection, and silence, brought the whole community together to the suffering of Christ and St. Francis. It reminded everyone to embrace hardship and be a light to others as well as to remember the actions, beliefs, and legacy of this extraordinary person. The saying attributed to him, “And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life,” was felt and encapsulated through this event.
Following the Transitus, a Novena Mass was held shortly after and was presided over by Rev. Fr. Norman Meram Gandia, the Parochial Vicar of the Archdiocesan Shrine of John the Baptist in San Juan. In his homily, he reiterated how truly remarkable Francis was, especially all his deeds and actions toward the poor and nature. As a final testament to his holiness, he did not just accept but embraced death and Christ’s suffering on the cross. Afterward, his holiness reminded everyone to try to imitate him and follow his example of humility, obedience, and love for creation.
As the celebration came to a close in the late evening, St. Francis and his mission lived on in every Lourdesian and attendee.
The celebration of the Transitus was led up to by the Pista ni Kiko held the day before. During this, activities like the blessing of pets and household plants were held in order to reflect St. Francis’ care for the environment. Additionally, seminars and talks were given about Laudato Si’ and the Live Pure Movement to Junior and Senior High School students, respectively.
These succeeding events helped relive the life of a pious man who motivates every Lourdesian to become like Christ in his example of holiness in simplicity.
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