Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 20, 2026
In the 12th and 13th centuries, the Catholic Church in Europe was powerful. Emperors cowed before popes. The Church was rich, ruled over people and had its own armies. The clergy were privileged. Even monasteries, often close to the people, possessed land and power.
But there was a rot within. People began to see through the charade, that these powerful and rich clergy were far from the spirit of Jesus who died poor and naked on a cross, a condemned criminal among other criminals.
Francis Bernadone was born in Italy in the high Middle Ages. His family was already rich, so he lusted for fame and sought to become famous by going to war and seeking knighthood. God had other plans and eventually Francis found joy by caring for lepers, the most outcast humans of that time. Francis heard Jesus speak to him, telling him to "rebuild the church which was falling into ruins." Francis at first thought that God wanted him to repair crumbling chapels, but came to understand that God wanted to reform the Catholic Church which was rich in the things of the world, but poor when it came to true Gospel values.
Francis gave up everything to follow Jesus. People were shocked by his renunciation of wealth to live in utter poverty and insecurity. But people were also attracted to his sincere attachment to Jesus. Francis changed the world and his simple way of following Jesus still inspires. Francis took to heart the words of Jesus who told us that He would be disguised in the poor whom we encounter.
The Capuchin friars who live and serve at Saint John's belong to the brotherhood that Saint Francis founded. The friars invite you to join us in commemorating our founder as we celebrate his feast on October 4.
Saint Francis passed from earthly life to heaven on the evening of October 3, 1226. On Saturday, October 3 at 6:30 PM, we will celebrate at Saint John's the Transitus or death of Saint Francis.
At the Saturday vigil Mass on October 3 and on all Masses on Sunday, October 4 we will celebrate the Feast of Saint Francis. There is a custom that on the feast of Saint Dominic, a Franciscan priest preaches in Dominican churches, and on the Feast of Saint Francis, a Dominican preaches at Franciscan churches. At the 10:30 Mass, the preacher will be Dominican Father Irenaeus Dunlevy. Mass will be followed by a festive lunch and party.
