Tonight, we gather together in a spirit of reverence and joy to celebrate a significant moment in the life of our beloved Saint Francis of Assisi—the “Transitus.” This term, derived from the Latin "transitus," means "the passage." On this night, we remember the moment in 1226 when Saint Francis transitioned from this earthly life to eternal union with God. We don't merely commemorate his death this night, but rather the life he lived which makes this such a joyous and special transition that continues to inspire countless individuals across the globe.