Pope Leo XIV proclaimed a Special Jubilee Year of Saint Francis to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the death (or "transitus") of St. Francis of Assisi, one of Christianity's most beloved saints. The Jubilee runs from January 10, 2026, through January 10, 2027, and is intended as a year of spiritual renewal for the entire Church.

Rather than simply celebrating a historical anniversary, Pope Leo invited Catholics to imitate Francis's way of life in today's world, becoming "models of holiness" and "constant witnesses of peace."

The Year of St. Francis is presented as a continuation of the Church's 2025 Ordinary Jubilee, encouraging believers to move from pilgrimage to everyday discipleship.

Church leaders have emphasized that the Jubilee should lead to: Interior conversion - Deeper prayer - Acts of charity and mercy - Commitment to peace - Care for creation - Living the Gospel with greater simplicity.

As one Vatican official explained, the indulgence connected with the Jubilee is "not a spiritual shortcut," but an invitation to a genuine encounter with God's mercy that transforms daily life.

The video to the right is from Ascension Press and Father describes what the Jubilee Year is all about. He mentions the decree and you can find it HERE.

It is a little long, but he gives great insight into this Special Jubilee Year of St. Francis.

So who was the real St. Francis. . .

Father Casey gives great insight into his life and legends. .

Worth a watch. . .

EWTN created a simple video study about the life of St. Francis. The video on the left is Lesson 1. The video on the right is Lesson 2. After each section of each video are a few reflection questions. Pause the video and really think about YOUR ANSWERS.

To go even deeper, there are a wide variety of Franciscan prayers. Some of the ones most commonly used in the daily life of Franciscans are shown below. Try adding them to your normal daily prayer routine. If you want to find out even more about St. Fancis, his order and his spirituality, visit this site: Franciscian Media

To download these prayers go HERE

Pope Leo’s Prayer to St. Francis of Assisi | Jubilee 2026

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.

Prayer before the Crucifix
Most high, glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my heart, and give me, Lord a correct faith, a certain hope, a perfect charity, sense and knowledge, so that I may carry out Your holy and true command.

St. Francis’ Testament Prayer
We adore You, Lord Jesus Christ, here, and in all Your Churches throughout the whole world, and we bless You, because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

Blessing for Br. Leo
May the Lord bless you and keep you; May He show His face to you and have mercy on you;
May He turn His countenance to you and give you peace. May the Lord bless you.

Prayer of St. Clare
Place your mind before the mirror of eternity! Place your soul in the brilliance of glory! Place your heart in the figure of divine substance! And transform your entire being into the image of the Godhead Itself through contemplation.

Peace Prayer of St. Francis
This famous prayer is not from St Francis himself. It certainly captures one aspect of the Franciscan tradition, but it dates to 1912 and was first published as a poem in the French spiritual magazine, La Clochette. Later during World War I, it appeared on the back of a holy card bearing an image of St. Francis and the association of the two became cemented in our minds. Nonetheless, it is a beautiful prayer.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me bring your love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. And where there is sadness, your joy. Master, grant that I may never seek so much to be consoled, as to console. To be understood, as to understand. To be loved as to love with all my being. For it is in pardoning, that we are pardoned. It is in giving selflessly that we receive, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.