Embracing the Year of St. Francis as a Renewal of the Sacred

Pope Leo XIV officially proclaimed 2026 a special Jubilee Year of St. Francis. In the 800 years since Francis, in participation with the Holy Spirit, lit a spark in the heart of the church. This spark grew into a bonfire: widespread Church reform, renewal of devotion to the Eucharist, and the birth of culture-changing religious orders of men and women. Pope Leo’s announcement does more than encourage an appreciation to this great saint. The universal church is invited into a deeper encounter with the Gospel.

Pope Leo XIV calls the Church to meditate on Francis’s spirit: his joy in the Gospel, his humble life of service, and his radical trust in God’s mercy. It’s a moment to move beyond mere celebration and enter into a deeper, personal conversion of heart. Francis knew firsthand the freedom and renewal that came with confession and forgiveness of sins.

The Jubilee Year and the Plenary Indulgence

A special feature of this Jubilee Year is the opportunity to receive a plenary indulgence. Indulgences are a particular gift from the Church’s treasury of grace that, through God’s mercy, offer the complete remission of temporal punishment due to sin already forgiven.

As Catholics, we believe that sin is forgiven in the sacrament of confession. However, in accordance with justice, there are effects of sin or “temporal punishment” that still exist after the sacrament. Gaining a plenary indulgence frees the soul from the effects or remaining “temporal punishment,” strengthening the soul’s reception of grace.

Conditions for Receiving the Plenary Indulgence

To gain the plenary indulgence during the Year of St. Francis, Catholics are invited to:

• Sacramental Confession
• Eucharistic Communion
• Prayers for the intentions of the Pope
• Interior detachment from sin
• Certain works, such as a pious pilgrimage to Franciscan churches, participation in Jubilee celebrations, and prayer and meditation in the Franciscan spirit
• Daily acts of charity and humility that express the spirituality of Saint Francis.

Visio Divina in the Franciscan Spirit

Let’s enter into the life of St. Francis with a time of Visio Divina. Visio divina means “divine seeing”. This is an opportunity to gaze in stillness with intention at a sacred work of art such as a painting, crucifix, or other work of beauty that communicates the Divine. In this Jubilee Year, let us take the time to hear how God is speaking to us through what we behold.

Here’s how Visio Divina typically unfolds:

1. Center in silence. Breathe deeply, invite the Holy Spirit, and quiet your heart.
2. Gaze at the sacred image before you. Letting your eyes and explore the details. Pay attention to what draws your attention.
3. Notice what pulls against your heart. Maybe its a gesture, an expression, symbol.
4. Respond with prayer. Share what’s in your heart with God. Ask what God might be inviting you to see about your own life and relationship with Him.
5. Rest in silence. Let the presence of God deepen your awareness and stir gratitude and deeper surrender.

Remember, a year of Jubilee is meant to draw us closer to God! We the faithful get to reflect on the way of life core tenants that mark the life of St. Francis: simplicity, love for God, care for the poor, and reverence for all creation.

Together, let’s pray with this work entitled, Adore.

1. Center yourself and quiet your heart.

2. Spend a few minutes with the St. Francis and the infant Christ child:

3. Notice what pulls your heart. Take a closer look at the details. What strikes you?

4. Talk to God about what you see. How is He prompting your heart? If you feel encouraged or inspired, thank Him. If you’re curious, ask Him your questions.

5. Now it is time to receive the presence of God. Rest. Listen. Rest in silence. Trust that He is here.

Visio Divina in the Franciscan Spirit

Thank you for joining us in prayer! As the Church walks through this Year of Grace, let us recall the example of St. Francis to embrace suffering, respond with joy and humility to challenges, and seek peace from the Source.

Remember, his Year of St. Francis is a year of grace and pilgrimage, prayer, and renewal.