Franciscan Events and Celebrations

St. Francis Week and the Feast of St. Francis (October 4)
Each year Franciscans throughout the world celebrate the life and example of Francis of Assisi, a man of peace who spent his life preaching the simple yet powerful message that we are all children of a loving God and that we are called to respect and to reverence one another and all of creation.

Here at Lourdes we usually manage to schedule enough events to fill an entire week as we celebrate the places and stories that were significant in the life of Francis and that tie into our Franciscan Heritage. The week concludes with an opportunity to join the Sisters of St. Francis as they celebrate the Transitus (a centuries-old Franciscan tradition of gathering on the evening of October 3 to prayerfully recall Francis’s passing, or transitus, from this world to a new life in Christ) and a special Liturgy for the Feast of Francis on October 4.

 

Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8)
In addition to being one of the significant days in the Catholic tradition when the church honors Mary, the mother of Jesus, this day holds a special meaning for Sylvania Franciscans since it is the anniversary of our founding in 1916.

 

 

Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes (February 11)

Founders Day (July 16)
In the earlier days of the community, the Sylvania Franciscans gathered on this day to celebrate the anniversary of their founder Mother Mary Adelaide’s profession of vows as a Sister of St. Francis. The Sisters held a picnic and shared stories of their lives and ministries. Lourdes continues to celebrate this day by bringing together Lourdes, the Sisters, and all who share this Sylvania Franciscan campus for a summer celebration.

 

Feast of St. Mary of the Angels – the Portiuncula (August 2)