The Eighth Centenary of the Transitus of St. Francis Celebrated in Mozambique
Chimoio, 3rd –4th October 2026
07 October 2026Around 600 members of the Franciscan Family in Mozambique gathered in Chimoio on the 3rd and 4th October 2026 to celebrate the Eighth Centenary of the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi.
On the afternoon of the 3rd October, members of the Franciscan Family in Mozambique gathered at the Franciscan Seminary in Chimoio for a catechesis entitled ‘The Testament and the Canticle of the Creatures: the spiritual legacy of Saint Francis today — paths to peace, reconciliation and social justice’. During the gathering, Br Sacala, OFMCap, urged participants to overcome conflict and care for ‘Mother Earth’, warning of the visible consequences of climate change affecting Mozambique and the whole world. He also emphasised that reconciliation must begin with each person who identifies as Franciscan today.
Br Evódio João, OFM, Minister Provincial of the Province of Saint Clare in Mozambique, followed with an address. He reflected on the Franciscan Jubilee Year, proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV as an invitation to follow the example of the Saint of Assisi, and encouraged the faithful to become models of holiness and witnesses to peace. To benefit fully from this time of grace, participants were invited to seek reconciliation through the Sacrament of Penance.
During the Mass, Br Lucas Gegema, OFMCap, Custos of the Capuchin Friars in Mozambique, urged the Franciscans to mark an important milestone in the history of the Franciscan presence in Mozambique by working for unity and building a united Franciscan Family capable of living in fraternity, as St. Francis did.
On Sunday, the 4th October, participants processed through the streets of Chimoio, carrying an image of St. Francis to the cathedral. Along the route, accompanied by the recitation of the Rosary and the singing of hymns, the procession paused so that the faithful could publicly exchange an embrace of peace. It then continued to the cathedral, where Mass was celebrated, and married couples renewed their marriage vows.
The Bishop of Chimoio, the Most Rev. Lúcio Andrice Muandula, presided over Mass in the cathedral and focused his homily on St. Francis's life. ‘St. Francis’s journey was one of listening to the Word of God, encountering Christ, contemplating the Cross of Christ and conforming himself to the Crucified One, who made him a brother to all creation,’ the Bishop said. He concluded: ‘St. Francis of Assisi, man of the Gospel and universal brother, pray for us. Amen.’
After the homily, the entire Franciscan Family knelt before the Bishop and renewed its commitment to live the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. At the end of the celebration, those present received the Apostolic Blessing and returned to the seminary for a fraternal meal.
The celebrations for the Eighth Centenary of the Transitus of St Francis brought together in Chimoio the wider Franciscan Family from the country’s central and northern regions. Those present included Friars Minor, Capuchin Friars, members of the Secular Franciscan Order and Franciscan Youth from the dioceses of Beira, Tete, Chimoio, Quelimane and Caia. The Brothers of Our Lady of Victories, the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Our Lady, the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, and the Friends of Mary Wilson also took part, together with numerous friends and supporters of Franciscan charism.
