EIGHT HUNDRED YEARS AGO, a humble, poor man radically in love with God and on fire for the Gospel died surrounded by his closest friends and religious brothers.
His life is often reduced to his love of God’s creation and his charismatic spirit as a mendicant preacher in the 13th century. Yet his passionate union with Christ Crucified and his wholehearted surrender to the mission of proclaiming the Gospel reveal something far greater: the transformative power of God’s grace in a person pursuing his call to holiness. When he heard the Lord’s invitation, “Rebuild my Church,” he responded with the totality of his being and became a witness of what God can do through a life completely surrendered to Him. This man was St. Francis of Assisi. Francis’ initial call from the Lord came while he was praying in the abandoned chapel of San Damiano, which had fallen into ruin. Francis started selling his possessions to help restore the church building.
But, as he subsequently realized, God wanted more than a physical structure. God desired the conversion of hearts and the renewal of lives in His grace and freedom. The Church in Francis’ time was struggling with heresy, greed and scandal. And as He does in every moment of need, God offers His immediate and concrete response to the needs of the times by raising up saints among us. God called on Francis to love truth and poverty. As he proclaimed the Gospel and the message of salvation many hearts were captivated.
Francis came from a wealthy home. He renounced the opportunity to run a successful family business and live comfortably, to follow the call of Christ. Francis was invited by God to let go of his possessions and trust in God’s providential care. Like many of us, he struggled with attachment to material goods and earthly pleasures. In giving everything back to God, Francis learned the great paradox that Pope Benedict proclaimed at his inaugural homily as Pope in April 2005. “[Christ] takes nothing away, and He gives you everything.”
Truth and poverty can be two paths to our own sanctity. We are all called to be saints, living forever with God in heaven. Only the truth can set us free, Jesus promised (cf. Jn 8:32). In Him, we find everything. Not grasping at our possessions and securities, but holding them with open hands before God, is a way to live out spiritual poverty.
In honor of the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a Franciscan Jubilee Year from Jan. 10, 2026, to Jan.10, 2027, inviting the faithful to follow the example of the holy man who witnessed the Gospel with peace and joy.
This jubilee offers a plenary indulgence to the faithful who visit as pilgrims any Franciscan church or place of worship dedicated to St. Francis. The additional normal conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father) are required to gain the indulgence. In the Diocese of Orange, the faithful can visit the St. Francis Home chapel in Santa Ana, which is under the care of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception.
The chapel is open every day for prayer from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 4 p.m. Holy Hour; 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The faithful are also invited to join the Franciscans for Mass, Monday to Saturday at 7 a.m. and on Sunday at 11 a.m.
Locally, this Franciscan Jubilee offers a unique opportunity to encounter the witness of St. Francis of Assisi, deepen our journey of holiness and receive the graces God desires to give us so that we may become great saints.
St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!