Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a “Special Year of St. Francis” to commemorate the 800th anniversary of our patron saint’s death. This Franciscan Jubilee Year, running from January 10th, 2026, to January 10th, 2027, is a gift for all in the Church and was inaugurated with a decree issued by the Apostolic Penitentiary of the Holy See. This Jubilee Year holds special significance for our parish, as it offers the faithful here and worldwide the opportunity to reflect on the enduring legacy of St. Francis and to renew their commitment to living the Gospel through peace, humility, service, and care for creation.
“For our parish community,” says Stacey Shine, the Parish’s Director of Engagement and Development, “the Jubilee is both a celebration of our Franciscan heritage and an invitation to deepen our faith. While we honor the life and witness of St. Francis, who lived 800 years ago, the Jubilee is about much more than commemorating a historical figure. It is an opportunity to reflect on how his example continues to inspire and shape our parish today. The values that guided St. Francis’s faith, humility, hospitality, peace, service to others, and care for creation remain at the heart of our mission as reflected in the ministries, programs, and daily life of our parish community.”
The Franciscan friars helped shape a parish culture that welcomes all people and encourages parishioners to encounter Christ through prayer, lifelong learning, and service to others. Their imprint still informs all that we do to fulfill our mission as exemplified by the life of St. Francis. “Today,” adds Stacey, “that mission remains visible through our liturgies, faith formation programs, school, ministries, outreach efforts, and community events, we strive to live the Gospel in a way that reflects the spirit of St. Francis. Whether through ministries that support those in need, opportunities for adult faith formation, or parish-wide events that build community, we continue to model the Catholic faith by putting Franciscan values into action.”
Two significant events this fall will help parishioners deepen their understanding of Franciscan spirituality and their relationship with Christ. On October 17th, St. Francis will host the ‘6th Annual Franciscan Spirit and Life Convocation’, featuring keynote speaker Fr. George Corrigan. The Convocation offers an opportunity for participants to reflect on Franciscan values and their relevance in today’s world. Later in the month, from October 25th–27th, the parish will welcome Franciscan University of Steubenville’s Elevated Parish Mission, a three-day experience of preaching, worship, Eucharistic adoration, and spiritual renewal designed to strengthen discipleship and inspire ongoing evangelization within our community.
The planned events and initiatives invite parishioners not only to celebrate the legacy of St. Francis but also to renew their own commitment to living the Gospel. As we commemorate this Jubilee Year, we remember that the spirit of St. Francis is not a relic of the past; it continues to guide our parish as we seek to be a community of faith, service, and hope for future generations.
While our parish has grown tremendously since its founding, the heart of our mission remains unchanged. We continue to gather people around the Eucharist, form disciples of Jesus Christ, and serve our community in the Franciscan tradition. Throughout this year, we invite parishioners and visitors to join us in commemorating the Jubilee through prayer, education, pilgrimage, formation, and service. You can explore how our campus tells the story of St. Francis’s legacy and the ways that legacy continues to influence our community to this day. From its founding, St. Francis of Assisi Parish was a Franciscan community dedicated to worship, formation, service, and hospitality.
Our campus walking tour, highlighting the history, artwork, and sacred spaces that reflect our Franciscan identity, is one way to see that continuity of legacy. “One of the unique aspects of our Jubilee celebration is the opportunity to experience the parish campus as a living expression of Franciscan spirituality,” says Stacey. Through the audio walking tour and educational materials, parishioners can learn how the design of our worship spaces, artwork, outdoor prayer areas, and gathering places reflects the values that have shaped St. Francis Parish for generations.
Throughout the campus, the reflection of our Franciscan identity exists in the physical spaces of our parish, and visitors encounter reminders of St. Francis’s life and spirituality through sacred artwork, architectural elements, prayer spaces, and our commitment to stewardship of creation. The church frescoes, outdoor gathering spaces, and other campus features tell the story of our faith community and provide opportunities for prayer, reflection, and learning.
These visible signs of our Franciscan heritage help connect parishioners and visitors alike to the values that have guided our parish since its founding. We offer expanded faith-formation opportunities, outreach ministries, wellness initiatives, service programs, and educational experiences that help parishioners connect their faith to everyday life. Programs such as Franciscan Via and other formation opportunities reflect our ongoing commitment to helping people deepen their understanding of what it means to live as disciples of Christ.
The Jubilee Year provides a meaningful opportunity to reflect on this continuity. While the ministries and programs may evolve, the same values that inspired our founders continue to guide our parish today. The mission of our parish remains rooted in the Franciscan call to follow Christ and share His peace with the world. Throughout the Jubilee Year, we are offering a variety of opportunities for parishioners and visitors to celebrate our Franciscan heritage and learn more about the life and legacy of our patron saint.
Highlights include:
- A special Jubilee Mass celebrating the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s passing will occur on Wednesday, August 5th, at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral.
- A parish-wide Ministry Fair inviting parishioners to become more involved in the life and service of the community, on August 22nd-23rd.
- Educational resources, such as our walking tour, highlight the church frescoes, artwork, and other features that tell the story of our parish’s Franciscan roots.
- The dedication of a Peace Pole as a visible sign of our commitment to peace, unity, and the Franciscan call to be instruments of God’s peace in the world. Join us every Sunday after the 9 AM Mass.
- Join us for an entire weekend of celebrating St. Francis on October 3rd and 4th. The festivities will include the Blessing of the Animals, a Transitus Service, and our beloved Francis Fest on Sunday afternoon. This special parish celebration honors our patron saint with family-friendly activities, fellowship, faith, and fun for all ages.
- The 6th Annual Franciscan Spirit and Life Convocation on October 17th, as discussed above, will provide opportunities for faith formation and reflection on Franciscan spirituality.
- The Elevated Parish Mission, also discussed above, will be on October 25th through the 27th and will be led by Franciscan University of Steubenville. Through dynamic preaching, worship, Eucharistic adoration, and inspiring presentations, parishioners can encounter Christ more deeply and renew their commitment to discipleship.
- Opportunities for prayer, reflection, faith formation, and service that invite parishioners to embrace the values of peace, humility, service, hospitality, and care for creation through our many ministries and events.
- Walking Tour
Together, these events celebrate not only the life of St. Francis but also the vibrant faith community that has grown from his example here in Raleigh. As we honor our past, we also look toward the future, renewing our commitment to be a parish that lives the Gospel with joy and shares Christ’s peace with all whom we encounter. Please consider joining us for some or even all of our events celebrating the Jubilee Year commemorating the life of St. Francis.
