Why We Need a Year of St. Francis
Author: Teresa Peterson
Date Published: January 22, 2026
News is spreading quickly about the Jubilee Year of St. Francis, proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV, that began Jan.10, 2026, and continues to Jan. 10, 2027. The Holy Father is bringing the world’s attention to the Saint of Assisi to coincide with the 800th anniversary of his death. Why is St. Francis needed in the Church and world today?
Br. William Short, OFM, a medieval historian and expert on Franciscan spirituality, says the jubilee year is a time to reflect on the life and death of Francis, who was canonized a saint only two years after his passing.
The Birth of a Movement
“His greatest legacy, which has proven enduring across the centuries, is to conceive of a life that is based very closely on a reading of the Gospel. It's something that we take very much for granted today,” said Br. Bill.
Before St. Francis, the Catholic Church’s understanding of the Christian life was primarily based on the Acts of the Apostles and their experience of the Church in Jerusalem. Francis’ community, which included St. Clare of Assisi, envisioned another way of following Christ.
“Francis and Claire had this great inspiration to say, ‘The Acts of the Apostles are great, but why not try living as disciples of Jesus as closely as we can?’ And it was very perplexing to Church authorities. They just didn't think that was possible,” according to Br. Bill.
His radical example of poverty, peace and humility gave birth to a global movement, even though leaders of his time struggled to embrace his ways.
“The success of Francis and Clare's vision over the last eight centuries is remarkable, because their family of religious congregations, Secular Franciscans, friars, Poor Clares, this big Franciscan family, as we call it, is one of the largest in the Church. And it wasn't supposed to succeed at all because it was considered very impractical,” added Br. Bill.
This unique and “impractical” way of living continues today by thousands of people including the Franciscan friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a coast-to-coast brotherhood of friars who serve the poor, the forgotten and the marginalized alongside people of goodwill located across the United States, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Jamaica.
This painting, “Dream of Innocent III,” by Giotto di Bondone, depicts Pope Innocent III, after dreaming that a humble man like Francis was holding up the collapsing Church symbolized by the Lateran Basilica. He approved Francis’ request to establish the Order of Friars Minor, recognizing his role in spiritually supporting the Church.
Take part in the jubilee year
To make the most of the jubilee year, Br. Bill invites people to spend time doing something that is inspired by the life of St. Francis.
“That could be anything from a certain practice of prayer to time spent in nature, to some form of direct service to the needy, to some form of conflict resolution or peacemaking, or some practical service to people with serious illness,” said Br. Bill.
Another tangible way to observe the jubilee is to participate in a pilgrimage or liturgical celebration at a Franciscan church or shrine. Catholics who make a pilgrimage to any Franciscan conventual church or place of worship dedicated to St. Francis in any part of the world and complete the usual conditions will receive a plenary indulgence.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (n. 1471): "An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven.” Find a Franciscan church within the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
With so many suffering the effects of war, division and poverty, the Franciscan Jubilee Year could have far reaching impact, especially since this humble saint has universal appeal.
“What is remarkable is that Francis has kind of been adopted by others as one of a very small number of Catholic saints that have become much more universal, of great appeal to other Christians,” said Br. Bill.
While the jubilee year will naturally draw lots of attention to St. Francis, it might not be what the saint would envision for himself.
“Francis is someone who shunned the limelight. I think he would probably be a person who very much emphasizes the way we live our Christian life in very obscure, unseen ways, without a lot of highly visible externals that will draw attention to ourselves,” said Br. Bill.
Learn more about the jubilee year:
Visit Friars.us to discover jubilee resources and to read about the friars who are continuing the legacy of St. Francis in our world today.
Read the decree to learn about the requirements to receive the plenary indulgence during the jubilee year.
Learn more about St. Francis:
In a recent lecture offered by the Franciscan School of Theology, Br. Bill offers keen insights into his way of living and way of dying.
Visit FranciscanTradition.org to discover documents written by and about St. Francis of Assisi.