This year, 2026, we celebrate the 8th Anniversary of our Holy Father St. Francis' Transitus, his death in this world on October 3, 1226, and his glorification in eternal life in union with the Lord Jesus.
Read the special inssue of our International Newsletter dedicated to our year-long celeration. In it, the the Ministers of the Franciscan Orders which include us, the Capuchins, along with our brothers of the Friars Minor, the Conventuals, the Third Order Regular (TOR), and our our brothers and sisters of the Franciscan Federation & Secular Franciscans.
Eight hundred years ago, Francis of Assisi left this world. But the seed he planted continues to germinate.
In his letter to the Galatians, Saint Paul writes words that seem mysterious: “one who sows for the spirit will reap eternal life from the spirit.” These words were fulfilled in Francis. After welcoming the Spirit of Jesus into himself, to the point of bearing the marks of the Crucified One on his body, he himself became a seed of the Gospel filled with the fruits of eternal life.
This is the precious legacy he left us. A legacy that still speaks to the hearts and minds of our generation today, helping us to believe in the Gospel, “to have the Spirit of the Lord and Its holy activity,” and to become signs of peace.
With this letter, we wish to thank the Lord for the seed of the Gospel that he planted in the Church 800 years ago and which is still alive and fruitful today. Together, we wish to recall some fundamental aspects of this Christian history. These aspects remain a legacy for all those who, following Francis, wish to follow in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus.
In opening our Jubilee celebration, Pope Leo XIV has opened this Holy Year of Grace for our Franciscan communities with the gift of a plenary indulgence in Assisi and in all of our Franciscan churches throughout the world. Read the Letter addressed to our Order here.
Pray the Jubilee Prayer to St. Francis authored by our Holy Father here.
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Our Jubilee Prayer to St. Francis
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 with the Lord.
In the Crucifix of San Damiano, you recognized true peace,
teach us to seek 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 erects borders,
In this time afflicted by conflict and division,
intercede so that we may become peacemakers:
unarmed and disarming witnesses
to the peace that comes from Christ.
Amen.