On September 5, 2022, at noon, Friar Marco MORONI, the Custos of the General Custody of the Sacred Convent of St. Francis in Italy (Assisi), took part in a press conference in Rome organized by the Italian Episcopal Conference to promote this year’s celebration of the feast of St. Francis on October 3-4.

His Eminence, Matteo Cardinal ZUPPI, Archbishop of Bologna and President of the CEI also attended the press conference along with the two Custodes of Assisi, Friar Marco MORONI, OFM Conv., and Friar Massimo TRAVASCIO, OFM. The Mayor of Assisi, Professor Stefania PROIETTI, was also present and delivered a message from the Most Reverend Domenico SORRENTINO, Bishop of Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Gualdo Tadino and Foligno.
This year’s celebrations for the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint of Italy, will be unprecedented. In fact, innovating on tradition, the pilgrimage to the site of the Transitus and the gesture of offering oil at the Tomb of St. Francis, will not involve a single Region this year. Instead, as a sign of gratitude to those who have done their utmost in dealing with the pandemic, the Italian Episcopal Conference is inviting the participation of civil and military institutions, health workers, families, volunteers, school employees, and charitable and ecclesial organizations.
The event will also be an occasion to offer a special prayer for Italy and for peace, particularly during the Mass on October 4.
The President of the Republic, Sergio MATTARELLA, will also be present for this year’s celebration. On October 4, he will light the “Votive Lamp of the Municipalities of Italy” in the name of all the people of Italy and deliver a speech to the nation from the loggia of the Sacred Convent of St. Francis.
“We want, through this gesture of ours,” said Cardinal ZUPPI, “to become a sign for Italy and we also want to pray for Italy, so that it may progress ever more in its vocation as a people that is a bridge between nations, a solid and supportive people, capable of drawing from its Christian roots clues and suggestions to chart new paths, founded on dialogue and collaboration with all.”
Friar Marco MORONI added: “The pandemic has made us see what St. Francis experienced on a personal level: that our lives will truly improve, not if we have more, not if we are stronger or more powerful, but if we are able to take care of those who are most in need, those who cannot make it on their own.”
Bishop Domenico SORRENTINO, who was unable to attend the press conference for health reasons, stressed in his message: “We want to fully share the beauty of this event, which speaks in some way to the whole of Italy, in the context of these difficult years, as we gather around our Patron Saint to express our gratitude and look to the future with renewed hope.”

From https://www.chiesacattolica.it