Slovakia commemorates 800th anniversary of Saint Francis of Assisi

Religious communities in Slovakia held events to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi.

In Trnava, a nationwide gathering of the Franciscan family took place on September 19. The event, titled ‘SPOLU’, brought together various Franciscan orders, sisters, lay members, and families. The program included a procession from the Church of St. Helena to the Church of St. James, followed by a mass presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to Slovakia, Mons. Nicola Girasoli. The Nuncio encouraged participants to live lives of detachment and reconciliation, following the example of Saint Francis.

In Smižany, the Angelus community organized a weekend event titled ‘On the Way with Francis’ from September 18 to 20. The gathering focused on Franciscan spirituality, emphasizing humility and detachment from material values. Mons. František Trstenský, the Bishop of Spiš, attended the event, celebrating mass and participating in discussions regarding the spiritual journey of young people, including reflections on the pastoral needs of single Catholics within the Church.