The Padua Franciscan High School community gathered at St. Anthony of Padua Church to celebrate the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi (which is October 4) on Monday, October 5, 2026.
Fr. William McIntyre, OFM, the school’s vice president of mission and ministry, was the presider, while Fr. Stephen DeWitt, OFM, Padua’s director of community outreach, was a concelebrant. Deacon Matt Harley and Deacon Tom Litwinowicz assisted in the Liturgy.
“Eight-hundred years ago Saturday, Francis of Assisi was saying goodbye to his brothers, St. Clare, and her sisters,” McIntyre told the congregation. “Francis asked that the Gospel of John be read aloud about the Night before Jesus is crucified, where He shares The Last Supper with the disciples and washes their feet.”
“Francis says to Clare and the brothers: ‘I have done what is mine to do. May Christ show you what is yours to do.’”
Then, McIntyre outlined St. Francis of Assisi’s conversion and how he conducted his ministry to those in need.
“Francis fell in love with God, and then, he allowed God to love him,” McIntyre said. “God invites but waits for us to respond! That is how Francis lived after his conversion -- his life after embracing the leper. He loved God and allowed God to love him back.”
“Francis did not tell the brothers at the end of his life, ‘Just imitate me.’ In fact, many Franciscans to this day make this mistake trying to imitate Francis. As St. Carlo Actuis, who is buried in Assisi, said: ‘Don’t be a photocopy. Be an original.’”
“Francis followed Jesus. He walked in the footsteps of Jesus. Jesus loved His Father and allowed the Father to love Him. That is how Jesus could lovingly embrace His Cross. That is how Francis could embrace his Cross. During the final years of his life, he actually received the five wounds of Jesus, the first documented person in Christianity to receive the Stigmata.”
Prior to Mass, three Padua students who take Italians read St. Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Sun in Italian.
During the Mass, President Dave Stec ’86 and Principal Bob DiRocco welcomed the newest Bruins to the community and distributed Tau crosses, which are a key symbol of what all Franciscans are called to be -- followers of Christ.
New Bruins were reminded that they are known and loved…and that everyone has a cross to bear, but they will never carry it alone.
At the end of the Mass, secular Franciscans, Fr. Bill and Fr. Stephen were prayed over so they can continue the work of St. Francis of Assisi in their everyday lives. Also, students and staff who will take a pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy over Thanksgiving break received a blessing for safe travels and an enlightening experience.
