The relic of St. Francis has returned to Assisi after completing a pilgrimage through eight dioceses and eparchies in Romania, where it was venerated by more than 40,000 faithful. The pilgrimage concluded on Saturday, October 17, 2026, with a Mass celebrated at the tomb of St. Francis by the friars who had accompanied the relic. They brought with them “the intentions, tears, and hopes of an entire people.”
Organized by the Province of St. Joseph, Spouse of the B.V.M. in Romania to mark the 800th anniversary of the transitus of St. Francis, the pilgrimage ran from July 31 to October 15, 2026, covering nearly 10,000 kilometers (6,214 miles) before concluding in Timișoara. For the first time, relics from the saint’s mortal remains were brought to Romania, where they were welcomed by fifty-two Roman Catholic and Greek Catholic communities. The number 52 symbolically represents the weeks of the year, signifying an entire year of grace lived under the banner of the Franciscan Jubilee.
“We met people with different stories, but with the same need for love, hope, and a listening ear. Some came with joy, others with sorrow,” said Friar Claudiu ILIEȘ, OFM Conv., who followed the pilgrimage through updates on the website of the Province of Romania. Among the prayer intentions entrusted to the intercession of St. Francis, Friar Claudiu recalled numerous requests for reconciliation, children’s prayers for their parents, parents’ prayers for their children, and prayers for the sick.
One particularly moving encounter involved an elderly woman who had waited for hours by the roadside to ask for a blessing for her sick husband, who could not make it to the church. She wanted him to experience the closeness of St. Francis, as she had, and to know that he had not been forgotten. “It was a small gesture, but one that reflected great faith,” said Friar Claudiu.
Throughout the lengthy pilgrimage, the faithful entrusted many prayer intentions to the friars, often writing them on small pieces of paper. These intentions were collected, carefully preserved, and taken to Assisi, where they were presented during the closing Mass at the tomb of St. Francis.
“Above all, though, this was a pilgrimage of peace,” Friar Claudiu explained. “We live in a troubled world where peace is often lost within our families, communities, and among nations. Peace is not just something we receive; it is something we must build and nurture every day through our words, actions, and relationships.”
Sources: www.agensir.it, ofmconv.ro
Editorial Staff
