Year of Saint Francis

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Background

On January 7, 2026, Pope Leo XIV sent a letter to the Ministers General of the Conference of the Franciscan Family officially opening the Year of Saint Francis. 800 years ago on October 3, the great Poverello of Assisi experienced his transitus—the passing from this world to the next—as he met Sister Death. Pope Leo writes,

In commemorating the significant anniversary of the eighth centenary of his passing, I wish to join spiritually with the entire Franciscan Family and with all those who will take part in the commemorative events, hoping that the message of peace may find a profound echo in the Church and society today. … The Franciscan vision of peace is not limited to the relations between human beings, but also embraces the whole of creation. Francis, who calls the sun “brother” and the moon “sister”, who recognizes in every creature a reflection of divine beauty, reminds us that peace must be extended to the entire family of Creation. This insight resonates with particular urgency in our time, when our common home is threatened and cries out under exploitation. Peace with God, peace among human beings and with creation are inseparable dimensions of a single call to universal reconciliation.

The Year of Saint Francis runs from January 10, 2026 to January 10, 2027. During this time, Pope Leo encourages all members of the Franciscan family and all members of the faithful, to look to Saint Francis and pray that he may “instill in all of us perfect joy and harmony.”

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Prayer

In his letter to the Ministers General, Pope Leo spoke of the peace of Christ which Francis lived and radiated. He writes:

In this age, marked by so many seemingly interminable wars, by internal and social divisions that create mistrust and fear, he continues to speak. Not because he offers technical solutions, but because his life points to the authentic source of peace.

He thus offers the following prayer for the Jubilee Year, praying that all of us may be peacemakers in this time of conflict and division.

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.

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Plenary Indulgence

In this Year of Saint Francis, all members of the faithful are able to obtain a plenary indulgence as they celebrate the Poverello of Assisi. For more information on what a plenary indulgence is, you can click here. For any plenary indulgence, the following usual conditions must be fulfilled:

• Sacramental confession – must take place within 20 days—before or after—performing the indulgenced work
• Reception of Holy Communion – it is desirable that reception take place during Mass and on the same day as performing the indulgenced work, but not required
• Prayers for the intentions of the Pope – an Our Father and Hail Mary are suggested, although each person is free to recite any other prayer with piety and devotion
• Complete interior detachment from sin – the heart and will must have the sincere intention to break away from sins completely

The Apostolic Penitentiary has set forth the following conditions for the indulgenced work or act:

through the present Decree issued in conformity with the will of the Supreme Pontiff, on the occasion of the Year of St. Francis, grants the Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions to all the faithful without distinction, who, with a spirit detached from sin, will participate in the Year of St. Francis by visiting 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 so that, following the example of Saint Francis, may sentiments of Christian charity towards one’s neighbour and authentic wishes for harmony and peace among peoples spring up in hearts, concluding 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.

So what does that mean in plain English? All members of the faithful can receive a plenary indulgence by fulfilling the usual conditions and performing the indulgenced act of:

• in the form of a pilgrimage, visiting a church or any place of worship that is under the care of the Franciscans, named after Saint Francis, or connected to him in any reason
  • A few examples in the Diocese of Toledo
    • Our Lady of Consolation in Carey and Transfiguration of the Lord in Upper Sandusky are under the care of the Conventual Franciscans
    • The Sisters of Saint Francis (different communities in Tiffin and Sylvania) have chapels and spirituality centers
    • Saint Anthony of Padua parishes in Columbus Grove and Milan (Saint Anthony was a Franciscan)
• while visiting the church/place of worship, spend a suitable time in meditation, and raise prayers to God that following the example of Saint Francis, charity, harmony, and peace spring up in peoples’ hearts
• conclude the prayer time with the Our Father, Creed, and invocations to Mary, Francis, Clare, and all Franciscan saints

At Our Lady of Consolation, we will be praying Pope Leo’s prayer prior to every Sunday, holyday, and pilgrimage Mass and concluding it with invocations to Our Lady, Saint Francis, Saint Clare, and all the Franciscan saints. The prayer is in the back cover of our hymnals and prayer cards are available at the doors of the basilica. The card is also pictured below. The image on the front is taken from the Julius Window at the Mount St. Francis Chapel where the Province of Our Lady of Consolation is centered.

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Special Events

Province Centennial

The Franciscan Friars have served here for 114 years and this year also happens to be the 100th anniversary of the Province of Our Lady of Consolation. A special celebration of the province is scheduled for Sunday, May 3. Click here for more information!

The Solemnity of Saint Francis

Each year on October 4, the universal Church celebrates the feast day of Saint Francis. For our parish and shrine community, this celebration is elevated to the rank highest liturgical rank—a solemnity—due to the fact the basilica is under the care of Franciscans. This year, October 4 happens to fall on a Sunday. In accordance with the General Norms on the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, the Solemnity of Saint Francis takes precedence over the usual Sunday in Ordinary Time. We are looking forward to a wonderful celebration of Saint Francis that first weekend in October and we hope that you are able to join us! Here is the current schedule of events: