Early in the year, Pope Leo XIV made an announcement that impacts everyone who loves St. Francis of Assisi, including us here at St. Philip. On January 10, 2026,  he declared the beginning of a Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi, marking the 800th anniversary of his death. It is Pope Leo’s hope that during this year “every faithful Christian, following the example of the Saint of Assisi, shall become a model of holiness of life and a constant witness of peace.” 

Given the importance of St. Francis in the life of the Church – and our parish’s connection with the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist (FSE) – it is fitting that we celebrate this Jubilee Year in various ways and with much joy.

Jubilee Events at St. Philip

The first way will be our Eat, Drink and Be Catholic event on Sunday, March 22, featuring Fr. Briggs. While his main theme will be the pilgrimage he is currently leading in Poland, Fr. Briggs will also say a few words about his recent retreat in Assisi, Italy where he was able to pray in the city of that great saint and to venerate his bones. Such opportunities for public veneration do not happen very often, so it will be interesting to hear Fr. Briggs’ description of this once in a lifetime encounter.

There will be other activities to celebrate the Jubilee, including:

• a movie on St. Francis’ life
• a presentation by Sr. Agnese, FSE on the spiritual friendship between St. Clare and St. Francis
• a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist living here at St. Philip
• a planting by the parish youth and their families led by Sr. Marie Benedict

St. Philip designated as a Jubilee Site

As part of this celebration, certain Franciscan places of worship have been designated as jubilee sites. When these sites are visited in a spirit of prayer and the usual conditions are fulfilled, the faithful may receive a plenary indulgence. A plenary indulgence is a sacramental of the Church: the complete remission of all temporal punishment due to personal sin. This grace may be applied either to oneself or to a soul in purgatory.

We are especially blessed that Bishop Michael Burbidge has designated the statue of St. Francis of Assisi on the front lawn of the convent at St. Philip as a jubilee site. This means that by prayerfully visiting this image, one may obtain a plenary indulgence.

A Spiritual Framework

In addition to hosting events throughout the Jubilee year, we will also have a spiritual framework that will guide us interiorly. This framework is something uniquely developed by the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist – the Ten Steps of Conversion in Franciscan Life. It is the FSE’s way of looking at the life of St. Francis. These steps are a reminder that conversion is rarely a “one and done” event, but more often a process that matures by steps as our lives unfold. We we feature one of these steps each month in the order shown.

Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Denis M. Donahue, Pastor
St. Philip Catholic Church

This Month's Step - Kissing of the Leper

By prayerfully following Francis’ steps of conversion, we have the chance to deepen our own path of conversion.

This “Kissing of the Leper” step in Francis’ conversion can guide and teach us in our own journey of conversion. First, we shouldn’t be discouraged by our revulsions, since even Jesus in His humanity, and Francis after Him, experienced such struggles. Second, the grace of God can overcome our repulsions, if we cooperate. Third, such cooperation with the grace of God may bring a freedom beyond imagining. This is especially the case if our revulsion arises from the “leper within,” like our wounds, our weaknesses, or the shame we prefer to keep hidden. Finally, the painful embrace of those inner wounds may encourage others to “kiss the leper” in their own lives, and so discover the freedom found in God’s grace.