08/14/2026
August 13, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Our Holy Father, Pope Leo XVI, has proclaimed a special Jubilee Year to honor St. Francis of Assisi and the 800th anniversary of his blessed passing into eternal life (October 3, 1226 - October 3, 2026). This Jubilee Year has been underway since January 10, 2026 and it is to conclude January 10, 2027. I write to you now, so that you might make full use of this special grace given to the Universal Church, our Diocese and to you.
Mindful of the singular witness of Saint Francis of Assisi, whose life of evangelical poverty, peace, and love for all creation continues to inspire the Church and the world, this observance invites all the faithful to renewed conversion, deeper discipleship, and joyful witness to the Gospel in the spirit of the il Poverello (the little poor one) of Assisi.
During this commemorative year, I encourage our faithful to:
• Grow in simplicity of life and care for the poor
• Foster peace, reconciliation, and fraternity
• Deepen their commitment to the care of creation
• Renew devotion to the Eucharist and the Church
As stated in the decree proclaiming this Jubilee Year, the Holy Father grants “a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer according to the intentions of the Holy Father), also applicable in the form of suffrage for the souls in Purgatory.”
This plenary indulgence is granted “to all the faithful without distinction who, with a heart detached from sin, participate in the Year of St. Francis by visiting, in the form of a pilgrimage, any Franciscan conventual church or place of worship, anywhere in the world dedicated to St. Francis or connected to him for any reason, and there devoutly follow the Jubilee rites or spend at least a reasonable period of time in pious meditation and raise prayers to God so that, following the example of St. Francis, feelings of Christian charity towards their neighbors and authentic vows of harmony and peace among peoples may spring forth in their hearts, concluding with the Our Father, the Creed and the Invocations of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Clare and all the Saints of the Franciscan Family.”
The elderly, the sick and those who take care of them, and all those who are unable to leave their homes for serious reasons may also receive the plenary indulgence, “provided they detach themselves from any sin and intend to fulfil the three usual conditions as soon as possible, if they unite themselves spiritually to the jubilee celebrations…offering to the Merciful God their prayers, the pains or sufferings of their lives.”
To assist the faithful in this holy observance and to encourage spiritual renewal within the Diocese of Duluth, the following sacred places are hereby designated as pilgrimage sites for the duration of this commemorative year:
• St. Francis Church, Brainerd
• St. Francis Church, Carlton
Clergy, religious, and lay faithful are encouraged to organize liturgical celebrations, educational events, charitable initiatives, and opportunities for prayer that reflect the charism and legacy of Saint Francis of Assisi (See the attached flyer for those which have already been scheduled). Parishes, schools, and ministries are invited to highlight themes central to his life:
• Poverty and humility
• Peace and reconciliation
• Love of creation
• Joyful living of the Gospel
May you be blessed through this Jubilee observance and may it renew within the hearts of the faithful a spirit of holiness, simplicity, peace, and evangelical charity through the intercession of Saint Francis of Assisi.
St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!,
Most Reverend Daniel J. Felton
Bishop of Duluth
