On October 4, 2026, celebrations marking the 800th anniversary of the transitus of St. Francis of Assisi will culminate in Copenhagen, Denmark, with a Pontifical Mass. In preparation for this important Franciscan anniversary, the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) and the Order of Friars Minor Conventual (OFM Conv.) have organized a series of joint initiatives, including fraternal gatherings, lectures, and prayer events in local fraternities and parishes.
Under the guidance of the National Spiritual Assistant of the OFS in Denmark, Friar Stephen M. BEJO, OFM Conv., the OFS fraternities in Denmark held several activities in different cities throughout the country. On June 26, the St. Anthony of Padua Fraternity in Esbjerg reflected on “The Conversion of Francis to Gospel Life and Its Highlights as Celebrated in the Franciscan Jubilees.” The following day, in Aarhus, the theme was “The Hagiographic Framework of St. Francis’ Response to the Gospel and Our Response Today.” On August 29, the Sankt Marie Fraternity in Aalborg reflected on “The Identity of the Secular Franciscan Today.”
In Copenhagen, the La Verna Fraternity organized a series of conferences on “The Stigmata of St. Francis as a Way to Know and Follow the Gospel Life.” These meetings, held on the last Thursdays of June, July, and August, also included the celebration of Mass and Eucharistic Adoration.
The final stage of this preparation was marked by a visit from Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI, OFM Conv., the General Assistant to the Secular Franciscan Order. His visit took place September 24-27, 2026.
The lectures focused on the transitus of St. Francis. Friar Ștefan traced the development of Francis’ response to the Gospel, beginning with the first years after his conversion and their connection with the last years of his life. In particular, Friar Ștefan spoke about the events commemorated during the Franciscan Centenaries of 2023–2026: the approval of the Rule, the Christmas at Greccio, the stigmata, the composition of the Canticle of the Creatures, and, finally, the transitus of St. Francis, his passage from death to eternal life.
On Thursday, September 24, in Copenhagen, Friar Ștefan concluded this three-month series of lectures and prayer meetings, which had been organized by the Conventual Franciscan community, the La Verna OFS fraternity, the Militia of the Immaculata (MI) and the Jesu Hjerte parish community.
Friar Ștefan then traveled to Aarhus, where, on Friday, September 25, he gave the same conferences he presented in Copenhagen. They were preceded by an hour of Eucharistic Adoration and Mass with the Vor Frue Parish community, presided over by Father Piotr JANIK, SJ, the Spiritual Assistant of the local fraternity.
On Saturday, September 26, members of the National Fraternity gathered for a day of reflection. Friar Ștefan gave a lecture on “The Meaning of Being a Franciscan Today,” followed by an open discussion on the current situation and challenges facing the OFS in Denmark.
The Jesu Hjerte Parish Church in Copenhagen, entrusted to the pastoral care of the Conventual Franciscans, has also been preparing for the 800th anniversary. Since August 2, the feast of Our Lady of the Angels of the Portiuncula, the parish community has been reciting the prayer to St. Francis composed by Pope Leo XIV. During August and September, a series of Franciscan lectures was also offered after Sunday High Mass, during the parish fellowship gathering.
The program included lectures on the life and spirituality of St. Francis: Bernadette PREBEN-HANSEN presented “A Brief Biography of the Life of Francis” and “The Canticle of the Creatures”; Iben TRANHOLM spoke on “The Spirit of Assisi: An Experience”; Jytte HANSEN lectured on “The Secular Franciscan Order”; Friar Tomislav CVETKO, OFM Conv., spoke on “Franciscan Spirituality”; and Irek STRID presented “Art in the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.”
In the days leading up to October 4, the community is praying the novena and the Litany of St. Francis. On Sunday, September 27, Friar Ștefan presided over the English-language Mass at 4:00 p.m. During the parish fellowship gathering afterward, he gave a brief lecture on the meaning and importance of the 800th anniversary of the transitus of St. Francis for the Church and the world.
The celebrations will culminate on Sunday, October 4, 2026, with a Pontifical Mass presided over by the Most Reverend Czesław KOZON, Bishop of Copenhagen, Denmark. Bishop KOZON will also bless the newly installed statue of St. Francis of Assisi in the sanctuary of Jesu Hjerte Church.
Friar Stephen (Ariel Baraquiel) BEJO, OFM Conv.
