This year is a Jubilee Year of St. Francis, according to a decree issued at Pope Leo’s direction this past January, because this October, we will celebrate the 800th year since the saint’s passing.

In fact, St. Francis’ feast day is Oct. 4, which this year falls on a Sunday. Ordinarily, the regular Sunday Mass is celebrated instead. However, given the historical moment and how beloved St. Francis is, Bishop Raica wanted to give priests the option of celebrating the Mass of St. Francis of Assisi that day instead of the regular Sunday Mass. In that way, both priests and faithful who participate in such a Mass will be able to gain the plenary indulgence of the Jubilee Year. To gain the Jubilee (plenary) indulgence, one must:

• Have at least a general intention to receive the indulgence;

• Be detached from all sin (that is, have a firm purpose of amendment);

• Complete the work connected with the indulgence, which in this case is that of participating in a jubilee celebration (such as a Mass of St. Francis of Assisi, in those places where the priest takes advantage of the option granted);

• Pray to God that, following St. Francis of Assisi, all may bear Christian charity toward each other and there may be peace and harmony among all peoples;

• Pray the Our Father and the Creed (which is already done during Mass!);

• Pray invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare, and all the saints of the Franciscan Family. For example, “Blessed Mother, pray for us. St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us. St. Clare…”;

• Pray an Our Father and a Hail Mary for the intentions of the Holy Father;

• Go to confession within 20 days before or after doing the works listed above;

• Go to communion within 20 days before or after doing the works listed above.

Bishop Raica also granted a partial indulgence to all the faithful of the diocese who, on Oct. 4, spend a few moments praying for peace in the world through the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi. Therefore, even those whose priest opts to do the Sunday Mass instead of the Mass of St. Francis may still obtain this partial indulgence.

Either of the indulgences may be applied to the person completing the works or to the souls in Purgatory.

The decree also explains how the sick, homebound, imprisoned, or otherwise impeded may participate in these indulgences. In addition, to assist those parishes and other locations that decide to take advantage of the option given by the bishop, the decree includes an attachment with the full set of readings that should be used during the Mass of St. Francis of Assisi celebrated in place of Sunday Mass.

To read the decree, please click here.