a special Jubilee Year coinciding with the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi!

One Jubilee after another!  —- Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a special Jubilee Year coinciding with the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi!

Our Holy Father has established that from January 10, 2026, following the closing of the church's Jubilee Year, until January 10, 2027, a special Year of Saint Francis is proclaimed, in which every Christian, "following the example of the Saint of Assisi, may become a model of holiness of life and a constant witness of peace."  Noting previous jubilee celebrations related to the works of Saint Francis — such as the eighth centenary commemorations of the first Nativity scene, as well as his composition of the "Canticle of the Creatures" and his receiving of the stigmata — the decree stated that "2026 will mark the culmination and fulfillment of all previous celebrations."

According to the decree, declaring a yearlong celebration in honor of our patron saint, Pope Leo also announced that plenary indulgences will be granted to Catholics "under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father), which can also be applied in the form of suffrage for the souls in Purgatory." The indulgence will be granted to those who participate in a pilgrimage "to any Franciscan conventual church, or place of worship in any part of the world named after Saint Francis or connected to him for any reason".

The sick, the elderly and caretakers unable to leave their homes can also obtain a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions "if they join spiritually in the Jubilee celebrations of the Year of Saint Francis, offering their prayers to the Merciful God, the pains or sufferings of one's life."

Pope Leo concluded his letter with a prayer to Saint Francis, asking the saint's intercession "to give us the courage to build bridges where the world raises up boundaries." “In this time afflicted by conflict and division, intercede for us so that we may become peacemakers: unarmed and disarming witnesses of the peace that comes from Christ," the Pope wrote.  

I am so excited for all of us to take part in this Jubilee celebration.  I pray that Saint Francis' example will inspire us in discerning the future growth of our parish in the Crystal Valley area and look forward to Bishop Golka coming for a special Mass with us here on October 3. 

Fr. Mark Zacker

Pastor