To mark the 800th anniversary of the Transitus of Saint Francis—and in preparation for a fruitful celebration of that event—this study offers an overview of how Thomas of Celano, the saint’s first biographer, portrays this culminating moment in the life of the Poverello across four works: the Vita beati Francisci (1229), the Legenda ad usum chori (1230), the Vita beati patris nostri Francisci (or Vita brevior, pre-1239), and the Memoriale in desiderio animae (1247).
800 anni del transito di San Francesco
Nella ricorrenza degli 800 anni del transito di San Francesco e in vista di una proficua celebrazione dello stesso transito, si presenta una visione d’insieme di come Tommaso da Celano, il primo biografo del santo, presenta questo momento culminante della vita del Poverello nella “Vita beati Francisci” (1229), nella “Legenda ad usum chori” (1230), nella “Vita beati patris nostri Francisci (Vita brevior)” (prima del 1239), e nel “Memoriale in desiderio animae” (1247).
Franciscan Essays – October 2026
The documentary evidence that was examined by Tommaso da Celano, first biographer of Saint Francis, in order to produce his various legendae and accounts of miracles, was arranged by him in such a way as to provide as complete a picture as possible of the truthfulness of the events he narrated. But above all, it was meant to be an effort to portray the figure of Francis of Assisi in the light of the paschal mystery of Christ. This is highly evident in the transitus accounts of Francis’ death and glorification. That is why the use of these paragraphs from Celano’s Vita beati Francisci, Legenda ad usum chori, Vita beati patris nostri Francisci and Memoriale in desiderio animae is highly recommendable during the celebration of the transitus of Saint Francis, of which this year we are commemorating the 800th anniversary.

