From October 2 to 4, 2026, the Sf. Francisc de Assisi Friary in Roman, Romania, joyfully hosted a relic of St. Francis of Assisi during the final stop of its pilgrimage through the Diocese of Iași, Romania.
The event was part of a national pilgrimage organized by the Sf. Francisc de Assisi Friary of the Province of St. Joseph, Spouse of the B.V.M. in Romania in collaboration with the General Custody of the Sacred Convent of St. Francis in Assisi, Italy, to mark the 800th anniversary of the Transitus of the Seraphic Father.
On the afternoon of October 2, the friars of the Sf. Francisc de Assisi Friary, joined by young seminarians from the local Conventual Franciscan seminary, joyfully welcomed the bust containing a relic of St. Francis of Assisi. Friars Claudiu ILIEȘ and Bogdan-Cristian MÂRȚ accompanied the relic.
The Guardian of the Sf. Francisc de Assisi Friary, Friar Alexandru OLARU, recited the prayer prescribed by the rite for the reception of the relics. The procession then continued to the seminary chapel, where the relic was placed for veneration on a pedestal in front of the altar.
The program of celebrations surrounding the relic included various moments of prayer, such as the Liturgy of the Hours, the Rosary, the Franciscan Crown, Eucharistic Adoration, and Masses, with a large turnout of faithful devoted to St. Francis of Assisi.
On the evening of October 3, the friars commemorated the transitus of St. Francis, or the Transitus Sancti Francisci. At the end of the commemoration, Friar Eusebiu-Ciprian SOLOMON made his Profession of Faith and took his Oath of Fidelity in preparation for his ordination to the diaconate the following day.
On October 4, the Solemnity of St. Francis of Assisi, the pilgrimage concluded with a Mass of Ordination presided over by the Most Reverend Iosif PĂULEȚ, Bishop of Iași, Romania. The Mass was celebrated in the chapel of the Franciscan Theological Institute in Roman. It began with a procession to the chapel consisting of the bishop, priests, and altar servers, accompanied by the solemn singing of the choir directed by Friar Cristian DUMEA.
Those attending the Mass included the Minister Provincial of the Province of Romania, Friar Damian-Gheorghe PĂTRAȘCU, approximately fifty priests, and many faithful.
After the introductory rites and a greeting from the Superior of the community, the Mass continued with the Liturgy of the Word. The Rector of Formation then called the candidate for the diaconate and publicly attested to his suitability, based on information gathered from the People of God and the judgment of those who had overseen his formation.
In his homily, Bishop PĂULEȚ spoke about the example of holiness set by St. Francis of Assisi, in whom he saw the words of the psalmist fully reflected: “The Lord is my inheritance.” He then urged the candidate to model his life on the witness of St. Francis by putting on the “apron” of service and dedication to the lesser ones, the poor, and those in need.
The Rite of Diaconal Ordination continued with the candidate’s promises; his pledge of obedience and respect for the diocesan bishop and his legitimate Superior; the invocation of the saints; the bishop’s laying on of hands; the Prayer of Ordination; the vesting in diaconal garments; and the presentation of the Book of the Gospels, accompanied by the exhortation: “Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.”
The Mass continued with the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
At the conclusion, the community thanked God for the gift of St. Francis, for the new deacon, and for all those who had contributed to the success of the pilgrimage. Bishop PĂULEȚ congratulated the friars and thanked them for their service in the local Church and throughout the world. He also urged the new deacon not to forget the image of service evoked in his homily and to see the diaconate not as a “step to climb,” but as the act of putting on an “apron” of service toward others.
The Mass and the pilgrimage of the relic of St. Francis through the Diocese of Iași concluded with a blessing imparted with the relic of St. Francis of Assisi.
Friar Virgil BLAJ
