The exposition of the bodily remains of St. Francis was conducted in Assisi from February 22 to March 22, 2026. Now that a few weeks have passed since the exposition closed, the Custos of the Sacred Convent of Assisi, Friar Marco MORONI, has sent a letter to all the friars of the Order to share the significance of the experience and to express his gratitude.
The month-long exposition was a time of grace that profoundly impacted the Franciscan community and the people of God. The event was marked by widespread participation and a deeply prayerful atmosphere. In this context, the Custos wishes to interpret what took place not only as an extraordinary event, but as a concrete opportunity for renewal in following the Gospel according to the school of St. Francis.
At the heart of his letter, Friar Marco expresses his heartfelt thanks to the friars who came from around the world to generously assist during the exposition. Their service was a tangible sign of communion and fraternity. He also stresses that the exposition was “a true event of grace,” one that strengthened our vocations and helped us rediscover, in the life of the Saint, a concrete model of self-giving, serving others, and loving the world “as humble servants.”
The Custos also invites all the friars to renew their bond to Assisi, to promote initiatives in their own countries for the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis and to rediscover the living power of the Franciscan charism, which continues to speak to us and which generates hope in the heart of the world.
General Office of Communications
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Assisi, April 12, 2026
To all of you, our dear brothers,
Conventual Franciscan friars spread across the world:
“May the Lord give you peace!”
I wish to reach out to you, on behalf of our entire community, with this letter, to share the deep joy that filled us during the days of the ostension of the body of St. Francis, our brother and father (February 22 – March 22, 2026), which we have just experienced. It was a true event of grace, a shining moment that offered us an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen ourselves in following the Lord Jesus. During these intense moments, we had the precious opportunity to continue learning, in the school of St. Francis, how to live this beating heart of the Gospel that we have chosen to embrace.
He still teaches us today to make our lives a gift to the Lord, to serve one another in fraternity, and to love the entire world as humble servants.
In particular I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the friars who, coming from different parts of the world, came to assist us during the days of the ostension. Your generous service and presence were a touching and precious sign of our deep communion.
On the occasion of this significant anniversary, I wholeheartedly invite you to come as pilgrims to Assisi, to pray before the Tomb of the Seraphic Father, to nourish yourselves with the spiritual beauty of the Basilica, and to draw once again from the source of our vocation. And if anyone wishes to stay for a longer period to help us in our service, you will certainly be most welcome.
At the same time, I warmly encourage you to promote initiatives in your countries to celebrate this eighth centenary of the death of St. Francis. Create valuable opportunities to renew our fraternity, opening paths of peace and supporting the love and living devotion of the people of God who walk alongside us.
By living these moments of encounter and celebration, you will be able to have the same profound experience that we had here. You will surely feel that St. Francis lives, that he continues to unceasingly bless all his sons and brothers – despite our shortcomings – and that, with his spiritual presence, he still consoles the wounded and needy hearts of so many people today.
With fraternal affection and in constant communion of prayer,
Friar Marco and your brothers from Assisi.
