St. Francis of Assisi Jubilee

Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed an extraordinary Jubilee Year in honor of the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, to be observed from January 10, 2026, through January 10, 2027. During this special year of grace, the faithful are invited to deepen their conversion, embrace the spirit of peace and humility that marked the life of Francis, and renew their witness to the Gospel in the world today.

What Is a Jubilee Year?

A Jubilee is a special time of grace proclaimed by the Church, calling the faithful to spiritual renewal, reconciliation and deeper union with God. This extraordinary Jubilee commemorates eight centuries of Franciscan witness — a legacy that continues to shape the Church's mission of charity, care for creation and solidarity with the poor. As an extension of the Ordinary Jubilee of 2025, it offers the entire Church a renewed occasion for encounter with God's mercy.

Pilgrimage Sites in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee

The following locations have been designated as official Jubilee pilgrimage sites:

• Ss. Francis & Clare of Assisi Shrine at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Milwaukee
• Basilica of St. Josaphat, Milwaukee
• St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Milwaukee
• St. Joseph Chapel (School Sisters of St. Francis, Layton Boulevard), Milwaukee
• Clement Manor Chapel, Greenfield
• Our Lady of the Holyland (Holy Cross site), Mount Calvary
• San Damiano Chapel (Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi), St. Francis
• St. Sebastian Parish, Sturtevant
• St. Clare Parish, Wind Lake
• St. Charles Parish, Hartland
• Catholic Ecology Center, Neosho

How to Receive the Jubilee Plenary Indulgence

Pilgrims can obtain a plenary indulgence by passing through the pilgrim door at a designated pilgrimage site and fulfilling the other requirements:

• Sacramental confession within eight days before or after the visit to the pilgrimage site
• An act of mercy or penance
• Reception of Holy Communion at the pilgrimage site or at a local parish before or after the visit
• Prayer for the intentions of His Holiness, Poрe Leo XIV at the pilgrimage site (commonly one Our Father and one Hail Mary, or another prayer)
• If you are unable to undertake a pilgrimage, the plenary indulgence will be granted to you if you spiritually join the Jubilee celebrations and offer your prayers, pains or sufferings to God under the usual conditions as stated here.
   

Suggested Pilgrimage Order of Prayer

Use this guide as a simple tool in ordering your prayer for your pilgrimage:

• Sign of the Cross
• Quiet prayer and reflection
• Our Father
• Creed (Apostles' Creed or Nicene Creed)
• Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary (e.g., Hail Mary)
• Prayer of St. Francis (Peace Prayer)
• Prayer to St. Francis from Pope Leo XIV
• Invocation of St. Clare and the Franciscan Saints
• Sign of the Cross

A Prayer of Pope Leo XIV 

Offered at the opening of the 800th Anniversary of the Transitus of St. Francis

St. 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.

Amen.