Year of Saint Francis – Special Year of Jubilee
The Church joyfully celebrates the Year of Saint Francis (the 800th anniversary of his death) as a time of renewal, simplicity, and deeper conversion of heart. Inspired by the life and witness of Saint Francis of Assisi, this year invites us to return to the Gospel with fresh eyes—to love God, creation, and one another with humility and joy.
Central to this year is a renewed understanding of indulgences. An indulgence is not a “spiritual shortcut” or a reward earned by minimal effort. Rather, it is a grace-filled encounter with God’s mercy. Through prayer, repentance, the sacraments, and specific acts of devotion, the Church invites us to open our hearts to God’s healing love, which purifies the wounds left by sin. Indulgences help restore our relationship with God and strengthen our desire for holiness.
Through the merits and intercession of Saint Francis, God desires to pour out particular graces upon us this year. These include a spirit of deep humility, freedom from attachment to material things, love for the poor and marginalized, and a renewed reverence for all of creation
May this Year of Saint Francis draw us into a genuine encounter with Christ, transforming our hearts, renewing our faith, and sending us forth to live the Gospel with courage and love.
The opportunity to join the pilgrimage to Assisi from 17-23 June is coming to a close at the end of January. If you are still thinking about it, you have one more week to send your form in. Let us pray:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
St Francis: Pray for us!
