Special Year of St. Francis

In celebration of the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a Special Year of St. Francis, during which it is hoped that every Christian, "following the example of the Saint of Assisi, may himself become a model of holiness of life and a constant witness of peace." The year began on January 10, 2026, and will continue until January 10, 2027.

In the decree announcing the jubilee, the Vatican's Apostolic Penitentiary noted that previous jubilees have drawn inspiration from the saint and his work and said that "2026 will mark the culmination and fulfillment of all previous celebrations."

"This Year of St. Francis spurs all of us, each according to our possibilities, to imitate the poor man of Assisi, to form ourselves as far as possible on the model of Christ," the decree states. "Our time is not very different from that in which Francis lived, and precisely in the light of this, his teaching is perhaps even more valid and understandable today. When Christian charity languishes, ignorance spreads like immorality, and those who exalt concord among peoples do so more out of selfishness than out of a sincere Christian spirit, when the virtual takes over the real, disagreements and social violence are part of everyday life, and peace becomes more insecure and distant every day."

In a letter to the ministers general of the Franciscan Family Conference, Pope Leo emphasized that St. Francis continues to speak to us today because "his life points to the authentic source of peace."

"May the example and spiritual legacy of this saint, strong in faith, steadfast in hope, and ardent in active charity toward others, inspire in all the importance of trusting in the Lord, of dedicating oneself to a life faithful to the Gospel, of accepting and illuminating with faith and prayer every circumstance and action of life," the pope wrote.

The pope's letter marking the start of the jubilee year was read during a celebration at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels in Assisi, which houses the Chapel of the Transit, marking the site where St. Francis died.

Plenary Indulgence

The jubilee year carries with it the possibility of receiving a plenary indulgence. A plenary indulgence is a grace granted by the Catholic Church through the merits of Jesus Christ to remove the temporal punishment due to sin. When we sin, we commit an offense against God, and while we receive forgiveness through the sacrament of reconciliation, the effects of that sin sometimes remain. A plenary indulgence heals that wound, removing all temporal punishment from that sin while a partial indulgence removes some temporal punishment.

Plenary Indulgence through Pilgrimage to St. Mary of the Visitation in Houlton

In his decree granting an indulgence during the Jubilee year, Pope Leo XIV decreed that the faithful can obtain the jubilee indulgence if they have a spirit detached from sin and visit in the form of a pilgrimage any "Franciscan conventual church or place of worship in any part of the world named after St. Francis or connected to him for any reason, and there, they will devoutly follow the jubilee rites or spend at least a suitable period of time in pious meditation and will raise prayers to God." The prayers should conclude with the Our Father, the Creed, and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Francis of Assisi, St Clare, and all the saints of the Franciscan Family.

In June, 2026, the Diocese of Portland designated St. Mary of the Visitation as an official pilgrimage site for the Year of St. Francis. The other two sites are St. Francis Catholic Church in Belfast and the Franciscan Monastery in Kennebunk.

usual conditions for a plenary indulgence:

Sacramental Confession, with a heart detached from all sin
Holy Communion
Prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father
A pilgrimage to our church, with time spent in prayer or meditation in the Franciscan spirit, closing with the Our Father, the Creed, and invocations to Our Lady, Saint Francis, and Saint Clare

The indulgence may also be offered for the souls in Purgatory. A special tenderness of the decree is its care for the sick, the elderly, and those who cannot travel: they too may share in the grace by uniting their prayers and sufferings to the Jubilee from home.

Jubilee Celebrations During the Year at St. Mary of the Visitation

Monthly celebrations will be celebrated throughout the coming year which will be rooted in the Franciscan calendar, gentle in spirit, and built around the themes Francis loved most: peace, mercy, care for creation, and quiet prayer.

Pope Leo's Prayer to St. Francis

St. Francis, our brother, you who eight hundred years ago went to meet sister death like a pacified man, intercede for us with the Lord.

You recognized true peace in the Crucifix of San Damiano, teach us to seek in Him the source of all reconciliation that breaks down every wall.

You who, unarmed, crossed the lines of war and misunderstanding, give us the courage to build bridges where the world erects borders,

In this time afflicted by conflicts and divisions, intercede so that we may become peacemakers:
unarmed and disarming witnesses of the peace that comes from Christ. Amen.

Resources from the Diocese of Portland and Information about Secular Franciscans in Houlton

Find more information about the life of St. Francis and additional resources for celebrating the Year of St. Francis on the Diocese of Portland webpage.

Our Cluster has an activity secular Franciscan Fraternity, the Heart of St. Francis Fraternity. Learn more about this Fraternity here.