I thought Transitus was either a euphemism for the Feast or a disambiguation from the Sept. 17 Impressionis Sacrorum Stigmatum in Corpore S. Francisci, but one learns something every day. What sort of lineup are you contemplating?

I don't think he's one of those here, but Paul Ellison of San Francisco's Church of the Advent has Englished the Mass Propers, and Palestrina's Hymns are of course on CPDL.

This year is the octocentenary; it's a major annual commemoration in Franciscan communities, and this year that much bigger.

From my (limited) experience, the Transitus seems commonly nowdays to be done on October 3rd (the vigil of the feast) rather than October 4 (though I am aware of historical references to it being done after Second Vespers of the Feast).

It is not a Mass, but a service commemorating (or even partially reenacting) the passing of St. Francis.

There are differences between the "traditional" versions of the Transitus (very formal, and often centered around a relic of St. Francis); and the modern versions, which vary widely between Provinces and communities.

Therefore, the best is to check with whoever is putting the service together what elements they have before deciding on the music. The modern version often involves reading(s) of the account of the death of St. Francis, and include other elements from it such as the sharing of bread, Gospel reading, etc. Services I have been to in the past have used a wide range of sung pieces (including those mentioned below) such as various texts of St. Francis set to music (Canticle of Creatures, Blessing of St. Francis, Praises, Prayer before a Crucifix) as well as hymns honouring St. Francis.


The traditional repertoire for the service consists of the texts:

"O sanctissima anima" (antiphon)
Psalm 141(142), which was prayed as Francis died
"Salve Sancte Pater" (antiphon), followed by the versicle "Franciscus pauper"

You can find these melodies in the old Rituale of the OFMs. The Conventuals often have more elaborate ceremonies including references to the singing of a Hymn from the Office, and another antiphon "O Patriarcha pauperum".

A modern "Model Rite" can be found in "Franciscans at Prayer" which was an attempt by the American OFMs to replace the old "Rituale Romano-Seraphicum". It also has some musical notation provided (with English transitions) for these texts, including settings by "Ron Walters OFM". You can also find numerous variations on Franciscan provincial websites.

There was a wonderful set of articles I remember reading many years ago on the development of the Transitus among the Franciscans and also the historical and modern variations, especially between the three main "families" (OFM, Capuchin, Conventual). If memory serves, it was written by an SFO/Third Order. I tried to find it, but it sadly seems to have been removed from the internet. I feel they were originally published in a magazine/newsletter of some sort - perhaps someone else will have a lead.