Towards October 4: St. Francis 800th anniversary.
To mark the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis, we friars of the Basilica of St. Anthony in Padua have prepared a special journey of reflection leading up to the feast of St. Francis on October 4.
From September 25 to October 3, guided by Fr. Fabio, we will rediscover the key moments in the life of the “Poverello”- the little poor man- of Assisi through the frescoes by Ubaldo Oppi, painted in the Chapel of St. Francis inside our Basilica here in Padua.
Follow the journey.
St. Francis and the Nightingale. The 800th anniversary of the death of the Saint of Assisi.
It has been 800 years since the death of St. Francis of Assisi, yet his perspective on the world still has so much to teach us.
At a time in history that threatens to diminish our hope, Francis invites us to reawaken our capacity to marvel at the simplest things, so that we may perceive true beauty, the beauty he found in the sudden song of a little nightingale.
It was precisely the song of that nightingale that inspired the video Father Mario and Father Fabio created for the feast of St. Francis!
May the peace of St. Francis be with you and your loved ones. Peace and all good!
St. Francis appears in Arles.
We have come to the end of our novena in preparation for the feast of St. Francis on the 800th anniversary of his death. Francis appears in Arles while Anthony is preaching—a confirmation of the deep spiritual bond that unites the two Saints.
Send your prayer to St. Francis and St. Anthony: tomorrow, during the celebrations for the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’s death, we will take it to the tomb of St. Anthony in his basilica here in Padua!
Photo by G. Deganello_MSA Archive
St. Francis and His Sermon to the Birds
We continue our journey of preparation for the feast of St. Francis on the 800th anniversary of his death.
Near Bevagna, a surprising dialogue takes place between Francis and the birds of the sky. As he reminded them of God’s goodness, they listened to him spellbound.
How can we not recall St. Anthony’s sermon to the fish of the sea! An invitation for us to become attentive listeners to the Word of God.
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Photo by G. Deganello_MSA Archive
St. Francis entrusts St. Anthony with teaching theology
Let’s continue our journey with fr. Fabio toward the feast of St. Francis on the 800th anniversary of his death.
Francis entrusts Anthony with the task of teaching theology, while urging him, however, never to let the spirit of prayer fade.
This is an invitation for all of us to always unite prayer and life.
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Photo by G. Deganello_MSA Archive
St. Francis and the Chapter of the Mats
Our journey toward the feast of St. Francis, marking the 800th anniversary of his death, continues.
Today, fr. Fabio speaks to us about the Chapter of the Mats. Francis gathered his friars at the Porziuncola to reaffirm them on the path of evangelical simplicity. It was at this moment that St. Francis and a then-unknown St. Anthony met. For Saint Anthony, this marked the beginning of a new mission that would make him the distinguished preacher of the Gospel and defender of the poor whom we still venerate today.
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Photo by G. Deganello_MSA Archive
St. Francis Founds the Arcella Monastery
Guided by fr. Fabio, we continue our journey toward the feast of St. Francis on the 800th anniversary of his death. Upon returning from the Holy Land, Francis passed through our beloved Padua and founded the Arcella Monastery. It would be this very place of prayer that, years later, would welcome St. Anthony on the day of his death.
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Photo by G. Deganello_MSA Archive
St. Francis founds the Order of the Poor Clares.
We continue our journey of preparation for the feast of St. Francis on the 800th anniversary of his death.
Today, fr. Fabio tells us about the encounter between Francis and the young Clare, united by a shared desire to live a life founded on prayer, poverty, and trust in Divine Providence. Together with St. Anthony, they remind us that the Gospel, lived with passion, can still transform the world!
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Photo by G. Deganello_MSA Archive
St. Francis founds the Order of Friars Minor
Our journey continues, guided by fr. Fabio, toward the feast of St. Francis on the 800th anniversary of his death. Many young people from Assisi decided to follow Francis’s example.
This marked the beginning of a fraternity, which St. Anthony also chose to join, inspired by a radical way of life dedicated to living the Gospel.
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Photo by G. Deganello_MSA Archive
St. Francis and Pope Honorius III.
We continue our journey toward the Feast of St. Francis on the 800th anniversary of his death.
Today, fr. Fabio tells us about the time Francis went before the Pope to seek approval for a Rule of Life. This sincere commitment to the Church is something we will always find alive in the life and preaching of our St. Anthony as well.
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Photo by G. Deganello_MSA Archive
St. Francis Embraces Poverty.
Let’s prepare together for the feast of St. Francis on October 4, which we commemorate this year on the 800th anniversary of his death. Guided by fr. Fabio, through the frescoes by Ubaldo Oppi—created for the chapel dedicated to him in our Basilica here in Padua—let’s rediscover some key moments in his life.
Today we’ll talk about Francis’s decision to entrust himself completely to God’s love—a choice that also won over the heart of St. Anthony.
Share your thoughts in the comments!
Photo by G. Deganello_MSA Archive