To commemorate the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’s death, Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed that from January 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027, Catholics will celebrate a Franciscan Jubilee Year – a Special Year of St. Francis of Assisi! The faithful have been granted the opportunity to obtain a plenary indulgence, provided that all conditions are met. We’ve compiled all of the Catholic resources to learn about St. Francis of Assisi and celebrate this year of jubilee!
7 Things To Know About St. Francis of Assisi
- He was born (Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone) in 1181 and died on October 3, 1226.
- He was known for his humility, vow of poverty, love of animals, and care for creation.
- He had a strong devotion to the Holy Eucharist.
- He received the stigmata.
- He was a close friend of St. Clare.
- He was canonized by Pope Gregory IX on July 16, 1228.
- He established the Franciscan Rule and is the founder of the Franciscan Order.
Books About St. Francis
The Life of St. Francis of Assisi | St. Bonaventure
The Collected Works of G.K. Chesterton: St. Francis of Assisi
Surrounded by Love: Seven Teachings from St. Francis
The Joyful Beggar: A Novel of St. Francis of Assisi
Catholic Children’s Books About St. Francis
The Canticle of the Sun: Of St. Francis of Assisi shaped book
Saint Francis of Assisi: A Life of Joy
St. Francis of Assisi Quotes
“Blessed the man who is patient with his neighbor’s shortcomings as he would like him to be if he were in a similar position himself.” – St. Francis of Assisi
“O you sons of men, how long will you be dull of heart? Behold – daily He humbles Himself as when from heaven’s royal throne He came down into the womb of the Virgin. Daily, He Himself, comes to us with like humility; daily He descends from the bosom of the Father, upon the altar, in the hands of the priest.” – St. Francis of Assisi
“All praise be yours, my Lord, through those who grant pardon
For love of you; through those who endure
Sickness and trial.
Happy those who endure in peace,
By you, Most High, they will be crowned.”-St. Francis of Assisi
Quotes From The Saints
“Humility, the guardian and glory of all virtues, abounded in rich fulness in the man of God. In his own estimation, he was naught but a sinner, whereas in very truth he was the mirror and brightness of all saintliness. In humility he strove to build himself up, as a wise masterbuilder laying the foundation that he had learnt of Christ. He would say that for this end the Son of God had come down from the heights, and from His Father’s bosom, unto our mean estate, to wit, that both by ensample and precept our Lord and Master might teach humility. Wherefore Francis, as a disciple of Christ, strove ever to make himself of no esteem in his own and other men’s eyes, mindful of that saying of the greatest Teacher: ‘That which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.’ This too he was wont to say, ‘A man’s worth is what he is in the sight of God, and no more.’ Accordingly, he deemed it a fool’s part to be uplifted by the applause of the world, but he rejoiced in railings, and was saddened by praise. He would liefer hear himself reviled than praised, knowing that reviling leadeth unto amendment, while praise impelleth toward a fall.”
– St. Bonaventure (quote about St. Francis)
Francis was called “another Christ”, in the sense that he showed in his life and conduct the very pith and kernel of Our Lord’s teaching.
“We all have to fight against the lusts of the flesh. Many people also desire material wealth and dream of money, but St. Francis teaches every one of us, whatever our social condition may be, to fight against “the lust of the eyes”, which is full of deceit and vanity. The wealth of Christian life does not consist in money and all its cares and demands. To some extent it is necessary for our very existence, but we must not lose our hearts to it. In the presence of his father and of the Bishop, Francis gave up everything, even the clothes he was wearing — such was his love for poverty.”
–Pope Saint John XXIII (quote about St. Francis)
“Francis, I know some of the brothers are praying that your tears will stop for the sake of your health. But Francis, don’t stop. I understand why you cry and cry so much. It is because of this light. Your tears are the blood of your soul and my soul as well. You cry for all of us. I pray you never stop crying. Know that each tear is milk and honey for my soul and the soul in everyone. May your joy cry out to all now and forever! In the great silence, only joy, joy, joy! I know it doesn’t need to be said but thank you Francis. Thank you!”
-St. Clare of Assisi (quote written in a letter to St. Francis)
Writings
The Writings of St. Francis of Assisi Parts I & II
Prayer of St. Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow 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, joy.
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.
Movies About St. Francis
Movies For Kids About St. Francis
Campfire Saint Story for KIDS | St. Francis and the Wolf
My Catholic Family: St. Francis of Assisi
St Francis Story for Catholic Kids | The Little Rose Shop
Saint Francis of Assisi for Kids | Live Simply, Love All (Animated)
Catholic-Link Articles
8 Contributions Christians Can Make To The World (According to Saint Francis of Assisi)
5 Things St. Francis Teaches Us About Rebuilding The Church
St. Francis of Assisi’s Prayer To Mary
A Devotion To The Five Holy Wounds Of Christ
The St. Francis Tradition No One Knows About
St. Francis And The First Indulgence
St. Francis Tells Us That It’s Important To Share Your Anxiety With A Friend
Will Our Pets Be With Us In Heaven?
Catholic Podcasts
Franciscan Orders
“Today there are approximately 650,000 Franciscans in 110 countries. Nearly 35,000 Franciscan friars belong to the First Order of Friars Minor, the First Order of Capuchin Franciscans, the First Order of Conventual Franciscans and the Third Order Regular. Followers of St. Clare (Poor Clares) number about 60,000 cloistered religious women. There are close to 155,000 Third Order Regular religious sisters and brothers. In addition, 400,000 single and married women and men follow the way of St. Francis as Secular Franciscans.” (Found HERE)
What Are The Conditions For A Plenary Indulgence In The Special Year Of St. Francis?
“For a more perfect attainment of its intended purposes, the Apostolic Penitentiary, through the present Decree issued in conformity with the will of
the Supreme Pontiff, on the occasion of the Year of St. Francis, grants the Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions (sacramental confession,
Eucharistic communion and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father), which can also be applied in the form of suffrage for the souls in Purgatory:
1) Members:
- of the Franciscan Families of the First, Second and Third Regular and Secular Orders;
- Institutes of Consecrated Life, Societies of Apostolic Life and Public or Private Associations of the Faithful, male and female, which observe the Rule
of St. Francis or are inspired by his spirituality or in any form they perpetuate his charism;
2) to all the faithful without distinction who, with a spirit detached from sin, will participate in the Year of St. Francis by visiting in the form of a pilgrimage any Franciscan conventual church, or place of worship in any part of the world named after St. Francis or connected to him for any reason, and there they will devoutly follow the Jubilee rites or spend at least a suitable period of time in pious meditation and will raise prayers to God so that, following the example of Saint Francis, may sentiments of Christian charity towards one’s neighbour and authentic wishes for harmony and peace among peoples spring up in hearts, concluding with the Our Father, the Creed and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Francis of Assisi, St, Clare and all the saints of the Franciscan Family.”
Conditions for receiving the Indulgence During the Special Year of Pope Francis (for oneself or for the deceased)
- Sacramental confession to be in God’s grace (in the eight days before or after);
- Participation in Mass and Eucharistic Communion;
- To visit in the form of a pilgrimage any Franciscan conventual church or place of worship dedicated to St. Francis anywhere in the world, where one renews one’s profession of faith, through the recitation of the Creed, to reaffirm one’s Christian identity;
- The recitation of the Lord’s Prayer, to reaffirm the dignity of children of God, received in Baptism;
- To pray for the intentions of the Holy Father, to reaffirm belonging to the Church, whose foundation and visible centre of unity is the Roman Pontiff;
–https://ofm.org/en/pope-leo-xiv-proclaims-franciscan-jubilee-year-for-the.html
Some Of Our Favorite Catholic St. Francis Gifts For Kids
St. Francis of Assisi Plush Doll
St. Francis and St. Clare Puzzle
St. Francis Preaches to the Birds Wooden Stacking Toy
Catholic Gifts For Adults
Prayer for the Year of St. Francis of Assisi | Pope Leo XIV
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.
