Offaly town and the Franciscan Brothers celebrate St Francis of Assisi

The people of Clara and the Franciscan Brothers will gather on October 3 next to celebrate the 800th Anniversary of the death of St. Francis, 1226.

The remembrance will be celebrated at the 7p.m Saturday evening vigil mass in St Brigid’s Church.

The Franciscan Brothers in Clara celebrated their Bi-centenary in Clara in 2020. 1820-2020. The first Franciscans came to Ireland around 1230, a few years after the death of Francis and have had a presence in Ireland since then. Because of the Penal Laws many Franciscans had to flee the country for Europe. However many stayed and travelled the countryside and ministered to the people of Ireland.

In the early 1500’s a group of Friars broke away from the main Franciscan group to live a more austere life, more in keeping with the directives of Francis. This group was called Capuchins and spread rapidly. It is of interest that the first Capuchin to come to Ireland was a native son, Stephen Daly (b 1575) from Tisaran (Ferbane). He came from Belgium and ministered to the people of the Ferbane area during the persecutions of the early 1600’s. He lived with his brother in Tisaran. Stephen died in 1620 and is buried in Tisaran. His tomb is venerated.

The celebration of the death of Francis is called The Transitus. It commemorates the Brothers placing of Francis’ dying body on the floor of the church of The Transito, as he prepared to pass to his next life. His body was weakened through his severe fasting and the loss of bleed through his Stigmata. On October 3rd with his Brothers gathered around him, singing psalms, chanting and praying the soul of Francis returned to his Creator.