In 2026, the Franciscan Family celebrates 800 years since the passing of St. Francis of Assisi — his “Easter,” when he embraced Sister Death not as an end, but as the doorway to full communion with God.
Created by the CIOFS Secretariat for Formation for the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS), this resource invites us to contemplate the Paschal Mystery at the heart of Francis’ life: his deep love for Christ crucified and risen, his total trust in the Father, and his joyful hope in the Resurrection. While recalling Francis’ peaceful acceptance of Sister Death, the material focuses primarily on his union with Christ, his gratitude for God’s gifts, and his unwavering fidelity to the Gospel.
Through reflections, testimonies from across the Franciscan Family, and practical guidance for fraternities, this presentation encourages us to make Francis’ charism visible “in the streets and squares” of today’s world. It calls us to live a spirituality of fraternity, peace, listening, welcome, dialogue, and hope — becoming witnesses of Christ’s victory of love in our own time.
