Pope Sets New Jubilee for 800th Anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s Death

/ Tom Delaney, O.F.S.
Death and Ascension of St. Francis, Giotto di Bondone, 1325, Basilica of Santa Croce

Big news for our community of Secular Franciscans in Central Minnesota today! Pope Leo XIV has decreed a special Jubilee Year of Saint Francis to take place from January 10, 2026 to January 10, 2027, on the occasion of the eighth centenary of the death (called the “transitus” which means “passing over”) of Saint Francis of Assisi. During this time, all the Christian faithful are invited to follow the example of Saint Francis of Assisi, becoming models of holiness of life and constant witnesses of peace.

Fr, Marek Weresa, Regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary, explained in Vatican News: “The year dedicated to Saint Francis can be an invitation to simplify prayer by deepening it, rather than multiplying it; to live the Gospel concretely rather than merely talking about it.” Fr. Weresa went on to explain that we can use the tie of the jublilee year to learn from the life story of St. Francis:

The biography of Saint Francis shows that true imitation of Christ is not based on declarations or ideas, but on a concrete and real lifestyle rooted in the Gospel. He reminds us of the timeless value of poverty and simplicity. By renouncing wealth and social prestige, Francis showed that freedom of heart is born of detachment from material goods. For today’s person, living in a world of consumerism, this is an extremely timely invitation to moderation, responsible use of goods, and placing God and neighbor above material possessions: it is a matter of “being” more than “having.”

The life example and recorded wisdom of St. Francis remains as relevant today as ever. Fr. Marek explains:

In our time, when faith is often superficial or reduced to emotions and experiences, his attitude also encourages consistency between faith and daily life, and witness given through actions rather than only words or feelings. Saint Francis teaches active and fraternal love, especially toward the weakest, the poor, and the marginalized. His life was a response to indifference and sometimes to selfishness—problems just as evident today, when interpersonal relationships tend to flatten and “the virtual prevails over reality.”

The worldwide community of Franciscan Friars explains that the jubilee year is especially an observance for the Franciscan family, but invites all of the Catholic Church:

This Jubilee Year is addressed especially to members of the Franciscan Families of the First, Second and Third Regular and Secular Orders, as well as to Institutes of Consecrated Life, Societies of Apostolic Life and Associations that observe the Rule of St. Francis or are inspired by its spirituality. However, the grace of this special year is also extended to all the faithful without distinction who, with their spirits removed from sin, visit in the form of a pilgrimage any Franciscan conventual church or place of worship dedicated to St. Francis in any part of the world. The elderly, the sick and those who for serious reasons cannot leave home will also be able to obtain the plenary indulgence by spiritually joining the Jubilee celebrations and offering their prayers, pains or sufferings to God.

Pilgrimage to “any Franciscan conventual church or place of worship dedicated to St. Francis” is very possible for us here in Central Minnesota. We are fortunate to be home for two orders in the Franciscan family: Poor Clares, and Franciscan Sisters. That means there may be as many as three possibilities for pilgrimage sites:

This is an unofficial list at this point, and I will post official information from these communities and the Diocese of St. Cloud as it becomes available. Of course, people are always welcome to attending a mass. The United States Council of Catholic Bishops has information available about what happens during a mass, and clarifications of who should partake of the Holy Eucharist as part of the mass.

Please share this information with your friends and family.

This article is an original work of the author and was not composed by or with artificial intelligence (AI). The author is solely responsible for the contents of this article. © 2026 Thomas Delaney. All rights reserved.

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