Direct answer: Feast of St Francis 2027 is Monday 4 October 2027. The feast honours St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and ecology. In Assisi, the Transitus service on the evening of 3 October marks his death, and Masses follow on 4 October. Church services and animal blessings are free.
When is the Feast of St Francis 2027
Feast of St Francis 2027 is Monday 4 October 2027. The date never moves. It falls the day after the anniversary of his death on the evening of 3 October 1226. In Assisi, the celebrations begin on the evening of 3 October with the Transitus service and run through 4 October. Churches in other countries hold Masses and animal blessings on or near 4 October, and some hold the blessing on the nearest Sunday, so check local listings before you go.
| Date 2027 | What happens |
|---|---|
| Sunday 3 October, evening | Transitus service at the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels in Assisi, marking the evening of his death. |
| Monday 4 October | Feast day: Masses in Assisi and in churches worldwide, animal blessings, and World Animal Day. |
| Nearest Sunday | Some churches hold the blessing of animals on the Sunday closest to 4 October. Check local listings. |
Who was St Francis of Assisi
St Francis of Assisi was born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone in Assisi in 1181 or 1182, the son of a wealthy cloth merchant. His youth was comfortable, and he dreamed of knighthood. Imprisonment during a war with nearby Perugia, followed by illness, turned him toward faith. He gave up his family wealth, chose a life of poverty, and began to preach. His example drew followers, and he founded the Order of Friars Minor, known as the Franciscans. He also helped Clare of Assisi found the Poor Clares for women, and inspired a Third Order for lay people who wanted to live Franciscan values in daily life. Read the Franciscan OFM account of the life of St Francis for the full story.
In 1223, Francis set up the first live Nativity scene at Greccio, using real animals to help people picture the birth of Jesus. In 1224, while praying on Mount La Verna, he received the stigmata, the wounds matching those of Christ at the crucifixion. In 1225, he composed the Canticle of Brother Sun, a poem of praise to God through the sun, moon, wind, water, and every living creature. He died on the evening of 3 October 1226 at the Porziuncola chapel near Assisi, and Pope Gregory IX canonized him on 16 July 1228, less than two years later.
What happens on the feast
The heart of the feast in Assisi is the Transitus. Transitus means passage, and the evening prayer service marks Francis passing from life to death. It is held at the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels, which houses the Porziuncola chapel where he died. On 4 October, Masses are held at the Basilica of St Francis, where he is buried, and at the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels. Each year a different Italian town or region offers oil for the votive lamp that burns before his tomb. The usual pattern also includes a night procession and a midnight Mass. Check the official Assisi programme for 2027 times before you travel. See the Visit Assisi guide to the St Francis celebrations programme for how the days are organised.
Around the world, the best known tradition of the day is the blessing of animals. Families bring dogs, cats, birds, and even farm animals to church, and a priest blesses them with holy water. The practice fits Francis well: he is remembered for preaching to birds and for taming a wolf that had been frightening the town of Gubbio. The same date is also World Animal Day. In May 1931, the International Animal Protection Congress in Florence adopted 4 October as World Animal Day for all countries, choosing the date because it was already the feast of St Francis. Today it is a secular day for animal welfare, marked by shelters, fundraisers, and school projects in many countries. Read the five facts on World Animal Day history and the St Francis link for how the two days connect. See the full list of religious festivals in this category.
Tickets
There is no ticket for the feast. Masses, the Transitus service, and animal blessings are free and open to all. Entry to the basilicas in Assisi is free. Arrive early for the main Masses in Assisi, since the basilicas fill fast on 4 October.
| What | Ticket | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Masses in Assisi | Free | No booking needed. Arrive early for a seat on 4 October. |
| Transitus service, 3 October evening | Free | Held at the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels. Check the programme for times. |
| Blessing of animals | Free | Held at churches on or near 4 October. Check local listings. |
| World Animal Day events | Mostly free | Shelter open days and fundraisers are usually free to attend. |
How the feast began
Francis died on the evening of 3 October 1226, and the Church set his feast on the following day, 4 October. His canonization came fast, less than two years after his death, which shows how widely he was already honoured. Along with Catherine of Siena, he is honoured as a patron saint of Italy. In 1979, Pope John Paul II declared him the patron saint of ecology, in recognition of the Canticle and his care for creation. When Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected pope in 2013, he chose the name Francis in honour of St Francis of Assisi, and later drew on the saint's care for the poor and for creation in his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si.
Another feast that falls close in the calendar is the All Saints Day date, traditions, and visitor guide. For the full list of festivals across the world, go back to the World Festival and Holiday Calendar.
Safety and visiting tips
- Crowds: Assisi fills fast on 3 and 4 October. Arrive early for services, keep your bag closed and in front, and agree a meeting point with your group.
- Book ahead: stay in Assisi or nearby towns, and book months ahead. Rooms go fast for the feast weekend.
- Walking: Assisi is a hill town with steep streets and steps. Wear comfortable shoes, and allow extra time to walk between the two basilicas.
- Transport: trains and buses reach Assisi from Perugia and other Umbrian towns. Check timetables, since holiday services may differ.
- Weather: early October in Umbria is mild, with cool evenings. Bring layers and a light rain jacket.
- Dress: wear neat, modest clothes for church. Shoulders and knees covered is the safe choice in most churches.
- Pets: keep animals on a lead, bring water, and check your church's rules before bringing a pet to a blessing. Not every church blesses every kind of animal.
- Photography: ask before photographing people at prayer, and never use flash during services.
- Respect the service: stand, sit, and sing along as others do, or sit quietly if you prefer. Do not talk or take calls during prayers.
Sources
- OFM Franciscans: The Life of St Francis (birth, stigmata, Canticle, canonization)
- Vatican State: 4 October, Saint Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint of Italy
- Secular Franciscan Order Australia: On Celebrating the Transitus of St Francis
- Today's Veterinary Nurse: World Animal Day, five facts (1925, 1929, 1931 Florence)
- Visit Assisi: St Francis celebrations programme (Transitus, oil offering, 4 October Mass)