Quezon City, Philippines – On September 17, 2024, Capuchins in the Philippines commemorated the 8th centenary of the Stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi. The celebration was attended by Capuchins, congregations affiliated with the Capuchins, and members of the Order of Franciscan Seculars (OFS) from St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Mandaluyong.
The event featured a knowledge-filled talk by Br. Jose Eduardo Mayo, OFMCap. Br. Mayo emphasized that St. Francis’ experience in La Verna “stirred us to Christ’s passion” and that the crucifix is “absolutely central to Christian identity, especially to Franciscan Spirituality.”
Br. Mayo invited attendees to find their way to the cross through “sine proprio,” a Franciscan term meaning “without anything of my own.” This concept underscores the Franciscan way of life, which involves embracing poverty and detachment from material possessions.
The celebration concluded with a Eucharistic Thanksgiving Mass for the newly ordained priests, Fr. John Rey Baalan, OFMCap. and Fr. Denver De Leon, OFMCap. Fr. Mayo was the homilist, reflecting on the significance of the Stigmata and its relevance to the Franciscan order.
The commemoration of the 8th centenary of St. Francis’ Stigmata served as a powerful reminder of the centrality of the cross in Franciscan spirituality. Through this event, the Capuchins in the Philippines reaffirmed their commitment to follow in the footsteps of their founder, St. Francis of Assisi, and embrace the cross of Christ in their daily lives.
