Pope Leo XIV has declared a special Jubilee Year on the occasion of the Eighth Centenary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi. The Holy Year begins on Jan. 10, 2026, and concludes on Jan. 10, 2027. Catholics are called to more closely imitate the Poor Man of Assisi, becoming models of holiness and constant witnesses of peace during this celebration.
Read Bishop Walkowiak’s letter to the faithful (English | Spanish)
Plenary Indulgence
An important spiritual feature of a Jubilee Year is the offer of plenary indulgences. Learn more about the conditions to receive the indulgence below.
From the Apostolic Decree:
For a more perfect achievement of the intended aims, the Apostolic Penitentiary, through this Decree issued in accordance with the will of the Supreme Pontiff, on the occasion of the Year of Saint Francis, grants a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer according to the intentions of the Holy Father), also applicable in the form of suffrage for the souls in Purgatory:
To all the faithful without distinction who, with a heart detached from sin, participate in the Year of Saint Francis by visiting, in the form of a pilgrimage, any Franciscan conventual church or place of worship anywhere in the world dedicated to Saint Francis or connected to him for any reason, and there devoutly follow the Jubilee rites or spend at least a reasonable period of time in pious meditation and raise prayers to God so that, following the example of Saint Francis, feelings of Christian charity towards their neighbours and authentic vows of harmony and peace among peoples may spring forth in their hearts, concluding with the Our Father, the Creed and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Clare and all the Saints of the Franciscan Family.
The elderly, the sick and those who take care of them, and all those who are unable to leave their homes for serious reasons may also obtain a Plenary Indulgence, provided they detach themselves from any sin and intend to fulfil the three usual conditions as soon as possible, if they unite themselves spiritually to the jubilee celebrations of the Year of Saint Francis, offering to the Merciful God their prayers, the pains or sufferings of their lives.
Franciscan Jubilee Year Pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi
Join Sr. Gabriella Pettirossi, FSE, and Fr. Lam Le, pastor of St. John Paul II Parish, for a 10-day pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi from Oct. 12-21, 2026. The pilgrimage is $6,447/per person from Grand Rapids.
Your Pilgrimage Includes:
- Round-trip airfare
- Accommodation at centrally located first-class hotels
- Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach and additional transfers as noted
- Sightseeing and admissions fees as per itinerary
- Assistance of a professional local Catholic Guide
- Mass daily & Spiritual activities
- Breakfast and Dinner daily
- Luggage handling (1 piece per person)
Highlights:
- Tour St. Peter’s Basilica and pray at the tombs of Pope Benedict XVI and St. John Paul II
- Visit the medieval town of Greccio, birthplace of the Christmas crib in the year 1223
- Visit and tour the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi and pray at the tombs of St. Francis and St. Clare
- Visit the Chapel of the Corporal, which preserves relics associated with the Eucharistic Miracle of Bolsena. This miracle led to the institution of the Feast of Corpus Christi.
Local events to mark the Holy Year
Mass and education sessions
Every second Saturday through January 2027
10 a.m.
Chapel at the Franciscan Life Process Center (FLPC) in Lowell
Bishop Walkowiak will preside at Mass. After Mass, the sisters will educate us on one of the charisms of Saint Francis.
The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi
Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026
3 p.m.
Cathedral of Saint Andrew
Mass will be celebrated at 3 p.m. to mark the feast day. A reception will follow at Cathedral Square Center.
Quiet Prayer
Monday-Friday
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
FLPC Chapel
The Chapel of the Annunciation at the FLPC is open for the faithful of our Diocese who wish to spend quiet time in prayer.
Local Places to Visit
Saint Francis Sculpture Garden
2023 E. Fulton
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
saintfrancissculpturegarden.org
Prayer from Pope Leo XIV
In this Year of Grace, I wish to offer you a prayer that Saint Francis of Assisi may continue to instil in all of us perfect joy and harmony:
Saint Francis, our brother, you who eight hundred years ago
went to meet Sister Death as a man at peace,
intercede for us before 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 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.
Amen
Learn more:
Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist
Franciscan Life Process Center
Jubilee Year of St. Francis
Learn more about St. Francis of Assisi