On Friday, October 3, 2025, Padua Franciscan High School students and staff gathered at St. Anthony of Padua Church for an early celebration of the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.
St. Francis of Assisi’s feast day is October 4.
During the homily, Fr. William McIntyre, OFM told the story of St. Francis’ conversion from being a wealthy host of parties with friends to someone who renounced his old ways and became the builder of churches.
Francis’ conversion story started as a prisoner of war. Despite having funds to afford the finest armor and best horse, Francis was captured and spent one year in prison at Collestrada in the Province of Perugia.
“For a very long time, he was in prison and his father paid ransom,” McIntyre described. “When Francis came back from being a prisoner of war, he was different. He was more withdrawn; he was more sensitive to noise and bright lights. His family was ashamed, and they kept him hidden because something seemed wrong with him.
“His neighbors might say, ‘he’s having a mental health crisis,’ but they wouldn’t said this so nicely. Slowly, Francis gets his strength back, and now, he’s no longer concerned if his friends like him or don’t like him, if people laugh with him or laugh at him. He has an encounter with God, and he is doing what he believes God has asked him to do.”
It was at that time where St. Francis purged himself of his old ways and earthly possessions and began wearing garments similar to those worn by the poor in 13th-century Italy.
At that time in his life, Francis became focused on setting an example of what needs to be done to help others by using God’s blessings and gifts for good.
“After a while, people who watched him began to think, ‘I want be like him,’” McIntyre said. “Instead of laughing at him or throwing stones or rotten food at him, they began to follow him and admire him. That’s what happens when you do the right thing. At first, you hold back because someone might make fun of you. Someone might even dislike you, but you do what is right, and you know what happens? Eventually, people want to join in.”
At the conclusion of his homily, Fr. William urged all in attendance to do small acts of good and watch that generosity blossom into a movement.
“Do the right thing, even when we don’t get the affirmation initially,” McIntyre said. “Do a small right step, the next right thing, and you’ll be surprised about it. It makes it easier to do the next one, and to transform a situation, and also, to transform oneself. If you’re doing the right thing, eventually people will follow you, and then, you’ll be well on your way to becoming the young people that God has created you to be.”
After the Eucharist, Padua’s Music Ministry Team sung Alabaré. When the song is translated from Spanish to English, the words of the chorus mean, “I will praise my Lord.”
Following the service, Principal Bob DiRocco invited Fr. William and co-presider Fr. Stephen DeWitt, OFM to the front of the church, and the entire community prayed a blessing over them.
