In the spirit of the Franciscan Jubilee Year, dedicated to the 800^th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi, the community of Franciscan Sisters in Caransebeș gathered on Friday, June 19, 2026, in prayer and contemplation to celebrate the legacy left by the one who profoundly marked the history of the Church through his example of poverty, brotherhood, and love for creation.

The chapel of the Franciscan Sisters in Caransebeș thus became a place of profound spiritual communion, where the faithful gathered to rediscover the relevance of the message of the Saint of Assisi.

St. Francis does not belong solely to the past: his witness continues to speak powerfully to the hearts of men and women in our time, marked by conflicts, inequalities, and ecological crises. His life challenges us to rethink our way of being in the world: he invites us to rediscover more authentic relationships with God, founded on trust and obedience; more fraternal relationships with others, marked by mutual care and acceptance; and a more respectful relationship with creation, recognized as a gift and not as an object of exploitation. In this sense, Saint Francis challenges any “theology of power” that justifies domination, violence, or indifference, proposing instead a theology of minority, service, and mercy.

After moments of meditation and reflection on aspects of St. Francis’s spirituality, the celebration continued with the Holy Mass presided over by parish priest Marin Matieș, to offer praise and thanksgiving to God for the gifts received.

Eight hundred years after his passing, Saint Francis’s message remains relevant: peace begins in the human soul, is revealed through simple acts of love, and becomes a genuine reality when lived with humility, courage, and joy.

May the Lord help each of us to become, like Saint Francis, messengers of peace, hope, and joy in today’s world.

Written by Sr. Marie Therese Gabor FCJM