Facebook Instagram Flocknote

St. Francis of Assisi Jubilee Year

Celebrating St. Francis of Assisi's 800th Anniversary
- Pope Leo XIV has declared that from January 10, 2026 to January 10, 2027, we will celebrate this Jubilee Year of St. Francis.
  
  All Christians are invited to follow the example of St. Francis by living holy lives and being witnesses of peace. The Apostolic Penitentiary grants the plenary indulgence under the usual conditions to those who participate devoutly in this extraordinary jubilee, which represents an ideal continuation of the Ordinary Jubilee of 2025.
  
  Any Catholic who makes a pilgrimage to a Franciscan church or a church dedicated to St. Francis anywhere in the world can receive the plenary indulgence. Those who are elderly, sick, or unable to leave home can also receive this gift by spiritually joining the celebrations and offering their prayers and sufferings to God.
  
  May St. Francis, who made himself poor and humble to follow Christ, inspire us to live with genuine love for our neighbors and work for peace. Following his example, let us turn our hope into action through real charity. May this Year of St. Francis be a special opportunity for each of us to grow in holiness and share the Gospel in our world today, for the glory of God and the good of the whole Church.
Get to Know St. Francis & His Order
Who Was St. Francis?
- "Repair My Church in Ruins"
  
  St. Francis of Assisi was born around 1181 in Assisi, Italy, to a wealthy cloth merchant. Though he enjoyed a carefree youth filled with worldly pleasures, his life dramatically changed after experiencing war and imprisonment. During prayer at the ruined Church of San Damiano, he heard Christ speak from the crucifix, commanding him to "repair my Church in ruins."
  In a dramatic gesture before the Bishop of Assisi, Francis stripped off his clothes and renounced his inheritance, dedicating himself completely to God and a life of poverty. In 1209, Pope Innocent III approved his Rule, and Francis founded the Order of Friars Minor, which grew rapidly across Europe.
  His deep love for Christ was expressed through creating the first live nativity scene in 1223, and in 1224 he received the stigmata, the wounds of Christ, becoming the first recorded saint to bear these marks. Francis died on October 3, 1226, and was canonized by Pope Gregory IX in 1228. His legacy of radical poverty, joy, peace, and love for all creation continues to inspire millions worldwide.
History of the Order
- The Franciscan Order is a Fraternity
  
  The Franciscan Order was founded in 1209 when Francis of Assisi and eleven followers received approval from Pope Innocent III for their rule of life. Under this rule, friars owned no possessions and wandered preaching among the people, helping the poor and sick while supporting themselves through work and begging. Within ten years, the order had gained over five thousand followers across Europe.
  In 1212, Francis and Clare of Assisi established the Second Order, the Order of Poor Ladies, later known as the Poor Clares. St. Clare became the first woman to write a rule for her community that received papal approval. The Third Order of Saint Francis, founded in 1221, allowed married men and women, the single, and secular clergy to live according to the Gospel without entering monastic life.
  The degree of poverty required remained a source of conflict, resulting in numerous divisions over the centuries. The Order of Friars Minor Capuchin was founded in 1525 seeking stricter observance and became a separate order in 1619. Pope Leo XIII united several smaller Franciscan orders in 1897, forming the Order of Friars Minor as it exists today.
  The Franciscans popularized devotional practices including the Christmas crèche, Stations of the Cross, and the Angelus. Today, the Franciscan family includes three major branches of the First Order, the Poor Clares, the Third Order Regular, and the Secular Franciscan Order, serving throughout the world with a shared commitment to poverty, charity, and peace.
Becoming A Franciscan
- Do You Feel Called?
  
  The process of becoming a professed Secular Franciscan is a journey that involves three separate stages and culminates in a lifelong commitment to live the gospel following the example of St. Francis of Assisi. This formation process unfolds in regularly scheduled formation sessions during which the home study material is thoroughly discussed.
  The first stage, Orientation, provides time for dialogue and relationship-building within the fraternity. During Orientation, you will be introduced to the lives of St. Francis and St. Clare and share in Franciscan prayer life. You will be given general information about the Secular Franciscan Order. Orientation is a time to discern if the Spirit is calling you to a Secular Franciscan vocation. The Orientation period is a minimum of 3 months.
  The second stage, Inquiry, is the first formal period of initiation. It is a time of in-depth study of the lives of St. Francis and St. Clare. During the Inquiry, you will learn about the Franciscan charism and Franciscan history. You will deepen your understanding of what it means to be secular and Franciscan, and you will continue to discern if the Spirit is calling you to the Secular Franciscan way of life. The period of Inquiry is a minimum of six months. If a vocation is discerned, the Inquirer is received into the Order.
  The third stage, Candidacy, is the final formal period of initiation. It is a time of preparing for a permanent commitment through immersion in fraternity life. Central to this stage of formation is Article 4 of The Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order, which states, “The rule and life of the Secular Franciscan is this: to observe the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following Saint Francis of Assisi, who made Christ the inspiration and the center of his life with God and people.” The period of Candidacy is a minimum of eighteen months and culminates in permanent commitment to the gospel life.
  After profession of the Rule and permanent commitment to the gospel way of life, the newly professed member joins the rest of the fraternity in ongoing formation.
Gifts of the Franciscans to the Catholic Church
- For more than 800 years, the Franciscan Order has quietly shaped the spiritual life of the Catholic Church in ways both simple and profound. From beloved devotions and Christmas traditions to theological insights and a deep love for the poor and for creation, the legacy of St. Francis of Assisi continues to influence how Catholics pray, celebrate, and live the Gospel today.
- The Nativity Scene (Crèche)
  St. Francis of Assisi is credited with creating the first Nativity scene in 1223 in Greccio, Italy. His goal was simple: help people see and love the humility of the Incarnation. Today, Nativity scenes are a beloved Christmas tradition throughout the world
- The Stations of the Cross
  Franciscans were entrusted with the care of the Holy Land, and they helped spread devotion to the Stations of the Cross so pilgrims who could not travel to Jerusalem could still walk spiritually with Christ. This devotion is now standard in Catholic churches.
- Devotion to the Humanity & Passion of Christ
  Franciscans emphasized Christ’s poverty, suffering, and mercy, deepening the Church’s love for:
  
  the Crucifix
  the Sacred Wounds
  meditations on the Passion of Christ
  
  St. Francis himself was the first recorded saint to receive the stigmata.
- Care for Creation
  Long before modern environmental language, Franciscans preached reverence for creation as a gift from God. St. Francis’ Canticle of the Creatures continues to influence Catholic teaching on stewardship of the earth — most recently echoed in Laudato Si’.
- The Christmas Season’s Tone of Joy & Simplicity
  Franciscan spirituality helped shape a Christmas emphasis on joy, simplicity, and God’s closeness, rather than grandeur alone — especially through preaching and popular devotions.
- The Angelus & Popular Devotions
  Franciscans promoted the Angelus prayer, helping it become part of daily Catholic life, especially in towns and villages.
- Preaching to the Poor and Ordinary People
  Franciscans shifted preaching out of monasteries and into streets, towns, and marketplaces, making Scripture and the Gospel accessible to everyday people.
- Universities, Education, & Theology
  Franciscans founded schools and influenced Catholic theology through great thinkers like:
  St. Bonaventure
  Blessed John Duns Scotus (key in the development of devotion to the Immaculate Conception)
- Lay Spirituality: The Third Order
  The Franciscans helped formalize a path to holiness for lay people, showing that sainthood is possible in family life, work, and community.
St. Francis in Art
- Back
  
  Forward
  
  Pause
  
  Caption
  
  10 FADE
  
  Francis of Assisi Receiving the Stigmata – Salvador Maella (1787) /photoalbums/st-francis-in-art/1-saint-francis-of-assisi-receiving-the-stigmata-mariano-salvador-maella.jpg _parent
  
  Saint Francis of Assisi – Jusepe de Ribera (1642) /photoalbums/st-francis-in-art/Saint_Francis_of_Assisi_by_Jusepe_de_Ribera.jpg _parent
  
  St. Francis Preaching to the Birds – Carnicero, Antonio (1789) /photoalbums/st-francis-in-art/a44dd9e0-6cc1-4b0a-bc05-d7c18c29ee5f_832.jpg _parent
  
  Saint Francis in Meditation – Francisco de Zurbarán (1636) /photoalbums/st-francis-in-art/Francisco_de_Zurbaran_053.jpg _parent
  
  St Francis of Assisi – Cigoli (1598) /photoalbums/st-francis-in-art/Cigoli_san_francesco.jpg _parent
  
  Saint Francis of Assisi receiving the Stigmata – Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (1768) /photoalbums/st-francis-in-art/Estigmatizacion_de_san_Francisco_de_Asis.jpg _parent
  
  St Francis Comforted by an Angel – Francesc Ribalta (1620) /photoalbums/st-francis-in-art/Ribalta-san_francisco-prado.jpg _parent
  
  San Francisco de Asís – Jusepe de Ribera (1643) /photoalbums/st-francis-in-art/San_Francisco_de_Asis_por_Jose_de_Ribera.jpg _parent
  
  Saint Francis Cutting Clare of Assisi's Hair – Carnicero, Antonio (1789) /photoalbums/st-francis-in-art/Saint%20Francis%20Cutting%20Clare%20of%20Assisis%20Hair.jpg _parent
  
  Saint Francis of Assisi – Philip Fruytiers (1610-1665) /photoalbums/st-francis-in-art/Philip_Fruytiers_-_St._Francis_of_Assisi.jpg _parent
  
  Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata – Antonio Pirri (1526) /photoalbums/st-francis-in-art/PIRRI%20Antonio_San%20Francisco%20recibiendo%20los%20estigmas_322%201977.24_0.jpg _parent
  
  The Meeting of Sts. Dominic and Francis of Assisi – Fra Angelico (1434) /photoalbums/st-francis-in-art/the-meeting-of-sts-dominic-and-francis-of-assisi-1435.jpg _parent
  
  Saint Francis in the Desert – Giovanni Bellini (1480) /photoalbums/st-francis-in-art/Giovanni_Bellini_-_Saint_Francis_in_the_Desert_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg _parent
  
  The Ecstasy of Saint Francis of Assisi – El Greco (1580) /photoalbums/st-francis-in-art/El_Greco_Ecstasy_of_Saint_Francis_higher_res.jpg _parent
  
  St. Francis Mourned by St. Clare – Giotto (From the Upper Church of San Francesco at Assisi Cycle of 28 Frescos) /photoalbums/st-francis-in-art/Giotto_-_Legend_of_St_Francis_-_-23-_-_St_Francis_Mourned_by_St_Clare.jpg _parent
  
  Saint Francis Receives the Stigmata – José Benlliure y Gil (1855–1937) /photoalbums/st-francis-in-art/2020082701080_9101e908192192c9ca6861383d42894774b4a00cef22912c650012c4da97e135.png _parent
  
  Saint Francis of Assisi and Brother Léon – Antonio Arias Fernández (1614-1684) /photoalbums/st-francis-in-art/San_Francisco_de_Asis_y_el_hermano_Leon_-_Antonio_Arias.jpg _parent

St. Francis of Assisi Jubilee Year

Pope Leo XIV has declared that from January 10, 2026 to January 10, 2027, we will celebrate this Jubilee Year of St. Francis.