The Franciscan Jubilee Year: What Is It?
On January 10, 2026, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV proclaimed a Special Year of Saint Francis of Assisi to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the death of the beloved “Poverello,” the Poor Man of Assisi. This extraordinary Jubilee Year, extending until January 10, 2027, invites all the faithful to follow the example of Saint Francis by embracing simplicity, fostering peace, caring for creation, and becoming witnesses of holiness in our communities. During this Jubilee Year, the faithful may receive a plenary indulgence by fulfilling the conditions listed below. This grace is extended to all the faithful members, not only to members of the Franciscan family.
“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… give us the courage to build bridges where the world raises up boundaries.”
— Pope Leo XIV, Letter to the Franciscan Family, January 2026
Our Local Pilgrim Churches
Bishop Oscar Cantú has designated the following three parishes as Pilgrim Churches of the Diocese of San José for the Franciscan Jubilee Year. Pilgrims are invited to visit these sacred sites for prayer, the celebration of the Sacraments, and to seek the grace of the Jubilee indulgence.
- Official Decree — Saint Francis of Assisi Parish
- Official Decree — Saint Mary of the Assumption Croatian Mission & Saint Clare Church
Saint Francis of Assisi Church
5111 San Felipe Rd, San Jose, CA 95135
| Why Designated | Primary Pilgrim Church of the Diocese — designated by Bishop Cantú’s Decree of February 2026. This parish bears the name of the Saint and serves as the anchor Jubilee site for the Diocese of San José. |
| Church Open for Pilgrims | Most Saturdays from 9:30am – 12pm First Fridays from 9:30am – 12pm Mondays-Fridays from 9:30am – 5pm |
| Confession / Penance Schedule | Saturdays 11:00 am to noon |
| Planned Jubilee Activities |
FUNDRAISERS:
CATECHETICAL SERIES:
“DIOCESAN DAYS”:
LITURGIES/CLOSING MASS:
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| Websites |
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| Parish Phone | 408-223-1562 |
Bulletin Announcements
WEEK 1 — THE ANNOUNCEMENT We Have Been Called. Come Pilgrim With Us.
Something remarkable is happening right here in San José. St. Francis of Assisi Parish has been officially designated as a Special Jubilee Site for the Jubilee Year of St. Francis — the 800th anniversary of the death of the saint who gave our parish its name. In the entire Diocese of San José, our doors are among the very few designated for this sacred honor. This is not just about our parish. This is an invitation to the whole diocese — to every family, every ministry, every faith community — to come and walk in the footsteps of the Poor Man of Assisi, right here among us. Throughout this Jubilee Year, we will gather, pray, sing, celebrate, and be transformed. There will be events for all ages, pilgrimage opportunities, and special programs designed to bring St. Francis’s spirit alive in our community and yours.
For more information about upcoming events throughout the year, contact our parish office or visit our parish website: www.sfoasj.com.
Pax et Bonum,
Fr. Vincent Pineda Pastor
WEEK 2 — THE INVITATION A Pilgrimage Is Simply One Step Toward God.
Francis of Assisi was a man who walked. He walked the roads of Umbria barefoot. He walked toward lepers when everyone else walked away. He walked into churches in ruin and heard God say: rebuild my house. A pilgrimage asks something simple of us: come. Take one step — one deliberate, faithful step — toward something larger than yourself. Our parish, as an official Special Jubilee Site for the Diocese of San José, is ready to receive you as a pilgrim. Whether you come alone, with your family, or as part of a group from your parish, we welcome you. Our trained docents are ready to guide pilgrimage groups throughout the year, sharing the story of St. Francis, the story of this community, and the story God is still writing among us. Reserve your spot and bring your community on pilgrimage.
To schedule a pilgrimage group or reserve a docent guide, contact the parish office or visit our website for reservations and event listings wwww.sfoasj.com.
Pax et Bonum,
Fr. Vincent Pineda Pastor
WEEK 3 — THE EVENTS Pax et Bonum, Fr. Vincent Pineda Pastor A Year of Celebration. Something for Everyone.
WEEK 3 — THE EVENTS Pax et Bonum, Fr. Vincent Pineda Pastor A Year of Celebration. Something for Everyone. This Jubilee Year, St. Francis of Assisi Parish — the Diocese of San José’s Special Jubilee Site — will host a full calendar of events open to all. Masses, reflections, concerts, community gatherings, and pilgrimage days are being planned throughout the year to mark this once-in-800years occasion. Francis didn’t celebrate alone. He gathered brothers and sisters, creatures great and small, rich and poor, the whole family of God. We intend to do the same. Whether you are searching for a deeper prayer life, a meaningful outing with your parish group, or simply a place to pause and breathe in the grace of this holy year — our doors are open. Come once. Come often. Bring a friend who may not have walked into a church in a while.
Check our parish website: www.sfoasj.com or contact the parish office for the full schedule of Jubilee events and pilgrimage programming throughout the year.
Pax et Bonum,
Fr. Vincent Pineda Pastor
WEEK 4 — THE CALL TO ACTION Bring Your Parish. Bring Your Group. Bring Yourself.
We are now in the heart of the Jubilee Year of St. Francis, and the invitation remains wide open. St. Francis of Assisi Parish is the designated Special Jubilee Site for the Diocese of San José — and that means we belong to all of you. Our docent team is trained and ready to walk with your group — sharing the history, the Franciscan spirit, and the living faith of this community. All you need to do is reach out and reserve a time. We can accommodate parish groups, school groups, prayer communities, and families. Come as pilgrims. Leave as something more. Francis once said: “Start by doing what’s necessary, then what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” The first step is simply calling us.
To reserve a docent for your pilgrimage group or to learn about Jubilee events throughout the year, contact the parish office or visit our website: www.sfoasj.com . We look forward to welcoming you.
Pax et Bonum,
Fr. Vincent Pineda Pastor
Saint Mary of the Assumption Croatian Mission
901 Lincoln Ave, San Jose, CA 95126
| Why Designated | Designated as an additional Pilgrim Church for the Franciscan Jubilee Year. This Croatian Mission, administered by a Franciscan priest, reflects the deep bond between Croatian Catholic heritage and Franciscan spirituality. |
| Church Open for Pilgrims | TBD |
| Confession / Penance Schedule | By appointment |
| Planned Jubilee Activities | TBD |
| Parish Website | https://crostmarysj.org/ |
| Parish Phone | 408-279-0279 |
Saint Clare Church
725 Washington St, Santa Clara, CA 95050
| Why Designated | Designated as an additional Pilgrim Church in honor of Saint Clare of Assisi, the closest companion of Saint Francis and foundress of the Poor Ladies (Order of Poor Clares). |
| Church Open for Pilgrims |
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| Confession / Penance Schedule | Saturdays,3:00 to 4:00 pm |
| Planned Jubilee Activities | Mass in August for the Feast of Saint Clare, dovetailing with the celebration of parish’s 250th anniversary year |
| Parish Website | http://www.stclareparish.org/ |
| Parish Phone | 408-248-7786 |
How to Make a Pilgrimage
What Is a Pilgrimage?
A pilgrimage is a prayerful journey to a sacred place — an outward act that expresses and deepens our inner desire to draw closer to God. Saint Francis himself was a pilgrim, traveling to Rome, to the Holy Land, and across Italy on foot. During this Jubilee Year, we are invited to follow in his footsteps — right here in our own diocese.
To Receive the Plenary Indulgence
The Apostolic Penitentiary has established the following conditions for receiving the plenary indulgence during the Franciscan Jubilee Year. All conditions should be fulfilled on the same day or within several days of the pilgrimage:
- Visit one of the three Pilgrim Churches of the Diocese of San José (see above) and spend a suitable period of time in prayer including prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father.
- Receive the Sacrament of Penance (Confession) ideally within several days before or after the pilgrimage visit.
- Receive Holy Communion (the Eucharist).
- Be sincerely detached from all sin, including venial sin.
For the Sick, Elderly, and Homebound
Those who are unable to travel to a Pilgrim Church due to illness, age, or other serious reasons may also receive the plenary indulgence. They are invited to unite themselves spiritually to the Jubilee celebrations by offering their prayers, sufferings, and daily difficulties to God, and by intending to fulfill the usual conditions (Confession, Communion, and prayer for the Pope’s intentions) as soon as circumstances allow.