About Saint Francis, the Alter-Christus

“Francis, who, the son of a wealthy merchant, became poor and humble, a true alter Christus on earth, offering the world tangible examples of evangelical life and a real image of Christian perfection. Our own time is not very different from that in which Francis lived, and precisely in this light his teaching is perhaps even more valid and comprehensible today. When Christian charity grows cold, ignorance spreads along with bad example, and those who exalt concord among peoples do so more out of self-interest than from sincere Christian spirit; when the virtual prevails over the real, social conflicts and violence become part of daily life and peace grows ever more uncertain and distant, this Year of Saint Francis should spur us all, each according to his or her possibilities, to imitate the Poor Man of Assisi, to form ourselves as far as possible on the model of Christ, and not to render vain the resolutions of the Holy Year just concluded: may the hope that made us pilgrims now be transformed into zeal and fervor of active charity.” Official Decree from the Apostolic Penitentiary

Why the Creche?

As we celebrate this special Year of Saint Francis, our parish is once again an official pilgrimage site. This is a time of extraordinary grace, inviting us to rediscover the radical joy of the Gospel.

Visitors may notice we have the Christmas Creche displayed in the Narthex. Rather than a lingering decoration, it honors one of St. Francis’ most profound devotional gifts. In 1223, Francis created the first nativity in Greccio to help the faithful visualize the humility of Christ’s birth. By keeping the Creche before us, we honor his innovation and invite deeper meditation on the Incarnation.

We encourage you to pause, pray, and receive the spiritual fruits of this jubilee.

Indulgences

Below is a summary of the different ways to obtain the special indulgence as specified by the decree from the Vatican’s Apostolic Penitentiary:

• With hearts detached from sin, take part in the Year of Saint Francis by visiting our parish or “any place of worship anywhere in the world dedicated to Saint Francis or connected with him for any reason”

• Spend at least a suitable period of time in pious meditation and raise prayers to God so that, following the example of Saint Francis, sentiments of Christian charity toward neighbor and genuine desires for concord and peace among peoples may arise in hearts

• Conclude with the Our Father, the Creed, and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary, to Saint Francis of Assisi, to Saint Clare, and to all the Saints of the Franciscan Family.

(See the full decree)

The Elderly

• The elderly, the sick, those who care for them, and all who for serious reasons are unable to leave their homes may likewise obtain the Plenary Indulgence, provided they are detached from all sin and intend to fulfill as soon as possible the three usual conditions, if they unite themselves spiritually to the jubilee celebrations of the Year of Saint Francis, offering to the Merciful God their prayers, pains, or sufferings of daily life.

General Norms on a Plenary Indulgence

In order to obtain a plenary indulgence, in addition to the work done to obtain the indulgence, the person must be in a state of grace and fulfill the following conditions (Manual of Indulgences, Norm 20):

• Sacramental confession

• Reception of Holy Communion

• Prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father (Our Father and Hail Mary, or a personal prayer for the Holy Father)

“It is appropriate, but not necessary, that the sacramental Confession and especially Holy Communion and the prayer for the Pope's intentions take place on the same day that the indulgenced work is performed; but it is sufficient that these sacred rites and prayers be carried out within several days (about 20) before or after the indulgenced act. Prayer for the Pope's intentions is left to the choice of the faithful, but an "Our Father" and a "Hail Mary" are suggested. One sacramental Confession suffices for several plenary indulgences, but a separate Holy Communion and a separate prayer for the Holy Father's intentions are required for each plenary indulgence

Indulgences can always be applied either to oneself or to the souls of the deceased, but they cannot be applied to other persons living on earth.”(source).

Prayer

In this Year of Grace, I wish to offer you a prayer that Saint Francis of Assisi may continue to instil in all of us perfect joy and harmony:

Saint 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

———

From Pope Leo’s letter, January 10, 2026