VIDEO: St. Francis Prep Students Honor Patron Saint Ahead of Feast Day
FRESH MEADOWS — Students at St. Francis Preparatory School in Queens are honoring their patron saint, St. Francis of Assisi, ahead of his feast day, Oct. 4.
Seniors at the school celebrated Mass Friday with Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan, reflecting on the life and teachings of the beloved Franciscan saint.
For Fabiana Ferazzoli, a senior at St. Francis Prep, learning about St. Francis has been an important part of her experience at the school.
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“He’s a very good role model for all of us,” Fabiana said. “Coming to the school, we learn about him since freshman year.”
She said St. Francis’ teachings encourage students to look beyond themselves and follow his example.
The celebration comes during a particularly significant year for the Franciscan community. The Church is marking the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ death during the Franciscan Jubilee Year proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV.
Bishop Brennan said the anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect on the saint’s simple and joyful approach to life.
“Here we are 800 years remembering a man for his simplicity, not for his grandiose ideas or grandiose gestures, but for his joyful simplicity,” Bishop Brennan said. “He continues to inspire men and women, and so his effect is still felt in very powerful ways.”
St. Francis, who lived in Italy in the 12th and 13th centuries, is known for his commitment to poverty, humility, peace, and care for creation. He is also the patron saint of animals and ecology.
Bishop Brennan encouraged the students to consider how St. Francis’ example can shape their own lives.
“Francis is a young man who teaches us all, young and old, to always be asking not just, ‘What does God want me to be?’ but, ‘Who does God want me to be?’” Bishop Brennan said.
He said St. Francis reminds Catholics that following Jesus means looking beyond themselves.
“Francis teaches us that following the example of Jesus, our lives are not about ourselves alone, but our lives are about God and others,” Bishop Brennan said.
The students are putting those lessons into practice through an eight-week “Jubilee Challenge.” Each week, students are being asked to complete an action focused on prayer, service, or charity.
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For senior Marilynne Ferreira, the challenge is an opportunity for personal growth while helping others.
“I just plan on doing it just for myself at least, because I think I would feel good doing it, like helping others,” Marilynne said. “And I feel like just it being a challenge would help me try to be better.”
As St. Francis Prep students prepare to celebrate their patron saint’s feast day, the Jubilee activities are giving them an opportunity to reflect on how his example of faith, service, and simplicity can continue to shape their lives.
The feast of St. Francis of Assisi is celebrated by Catholics around the world each year on Oct. 4.