Catholics in the Archdiocese of Chicago are joining the six Franciscan communities here in celebrating a Franciscan Jubilee year through Jan. 10, 2027. The year marks the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, who founded the religious order of the Franciscans.
Pope Leo XIV proclaimed the special jubilee year on Jan. 10.
The Apostolic Penitentiary, a Vatican tribunal that deals with matters of conscience, in accordance with Pope Leo XIV, issued a decree granting the faithful plenary indulgences during the Year of St. Francis.
A holy year or jubilee is a time of pilgrimage, prayer, repentance and acts of mercy, based on the Old Testament tradition of a jubilee year of rest, forgiveness and renewal.
The most recent jubilee year — the Jubilee of Hope, opened by Pope Francis — closed on Jan. 6.
During the jubilee year, Catholics in the archdiocese can receive a plenary indulgence by visiting one of the following Franciscan sites and doing the customary actions. Visitors are encouraged to check with each location in advance to confirm hours and public access.
Poor Clare Monastery of the Immaculate Conception
12210 S. Will Cook Road, Palos Park
Felician Sisters
3800 W. Peterson Ave., Chicago
School Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King
13900 Main St., Lemont
Franciscan Sisters of Chicago Our Lady of Victory Convent
11400 Theresa Drive, Lemont
Order of Friars Minor
St. Peter’s Church
110 W. Madison St.
Conventual Franciscans
National Shrine ofSt. Maximilian Kolbe
1600 W. Park Ave., Libertyville
Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago
Mission of Our Lady of the Angels
3808 W. Iowa St.
Parishes
Mary Mother of God Parish
staffed by the Conventual Franciscan Friars. The parish’s worship sites include:
St. Ita Church, 5500 N. Broadway Ave.; St. Thomas of Canterbury Church, 4827 N. Kenmore Ave.; and St. Gregory the Great Church
5545 N. Paulina St.
St. Francis of Assisi Parish
15050 Wolf Road, Orland Park
Holy years also are a time when Catholics make pilgrimages to designated churches and shrines, recite special prayers, go to confession, receive Communion and make professions of faith and pray for the pope’s intentions to receive a plenary indulgence, which is a remission of the temporal punishment due for one’s sins.
The elderly, the sick and those who take care of them and all those who for serious reasons are unable to leave their homes can also obtain the indulgence, “provided that they are detached from any sin and intend to fulfill the three usual conditions as soon as possible, if they join spiritually in the Jubilee celebrations of the Year of St. Francis, offering their prayers to the Merciful God, the pains or sufferings of one’s life.”
The Archdiocese of Chicago identified jubilee pilgrimage locations at local Franciscan parishes, shrines, missions and communities dedicated to St. Francis for the faithful to obtain a plenary indulgence.
“Eight centuries after his passing, St. Francis of Assisi continues to speak powerfully to our city and world,” said Auxiliary Bishop Robert Lombardo, co-founder of the Franciscan Friars of Renewal and founder of the Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago. “In a time marked by division, environmental crisis and a longing for peace, St. Francis reminds us that lasting renewal begins with reverence for all of God’s creation and leads to a more profound relationship with God. This special jubilee year proclaimed by Pope Leo invites the church to honor St. Francis not just with nostalgia, but about embracing a way of life that can still heal hearts, communities, and our common home.”
As part of this historic celebration, Pope Leo has given permission for the first public display of St. Francis’ body from Feb. 22 to March 26 at the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi. The body will be moved from its tomb in the crypt and placed at the foot of the papal altar in the lower church of the basilica.
Born in Assisi, Italy, in 1181, Giovanni di Bernardone was nicknamed “Francis” by his father, a wealthy cloth merchant who was on a business trip in France at the time of his birth.
Francis lived a lavish lifestyle as a young man and joined a military campaign against the neighboring state around 1202. During that campaign, he was captured and became ill. The experience changed him and when he returned, he dedicated his life to serving the poor.
While praying at San Damiano Church just outside the walls of Assisi, he had a now-famous encounter with God where he was told to “rebuild my church.” Francis took the message literally and started to rebuild the little church. He also gave away all his possessions, renounced the wealthy lifestyle of his family and began preaching a message of repentance.
Not long after, a group of young men were drawn to the charismatic mendicant’s message and formed a community around him. Francis created the first rule for his community in 1209. The community led a life of simplicity, working in the fields and begging for their food.
Later, Clare Offreduccioa, a woman from a prominent Assisi family, formed a women’s community around Francis called the Poor Clares.
Francis is credited with assembling the first live Nativity scene and received the stigmata, the physical wounds of the crucified Christ, in his hands, side and feet.
He died in 1226 and was canonized in 1228.