St. Francis is commemorated every 4 October throughout the country: in Assisi, the celebrations for Italy’s Patron Saint last several days and involve the entire town in religious events, awards, conferences and re-enactments.
In 1939, Pope Pius XII proclaimed St. Francis Patron Saint of Italy. Since then, the Saint of the Stigmata has been commemorated every 4 October.
Obviously this is a very special commemoration for Assisi with the addition of the offer of the oil used to fuel the votive lamp that burns in the Saint’s crypt.
The ritual of the offer is heartfelt by the people of Assisi, as the oil that burns in the lamp becomes a source of light and blessing that guides the Christian along the path of faith.
For many years, it has been a tradition for an Italian region to take turns in coming to Assisi to offer “its oil” for St. Francis.
The celebrations for Italy’s Patron Saint last several days and involve the entire town in religious and civil events, awards, conferences and re-enactments.
The solemn religious ceremonies are held in the Basilicas of Santa Maria degli Angeli and Saint Francis.
Italian government representatives and the highest regional, provincial and municipal authorities also take part in the lay events.
Among the most significant events is the solemn ceremony of the Transit, which takes place on Oct. 3 each year at the Papal Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and recounts the passage from life to death of St. Francis.
Every inhabitant has one of the little olive branches in the house that are distributed to celebrate the occasion.
