From our Pastor

 Announcement:

The Year of Saint Francis (2026–2027)

To obtain the Plenary Indulgence for the **Year of Saint Francis** (January 10, 2026 – January 10, 2027), the Vatican's Apostolic Penitentiary has established specific requirements. This special Jubilee marks the 800th anniversary of the Saint’s *Transitus* (his passage into eternal life).

1. The Prescribed Pious Work

To gain the indulgence, the faithful must perform **one** of the following:

* **Make a Pilgrimage:** Visit any Franciscan church (conventual church) or a place of worship dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi anywhere in the world.

* **Participate in Rites:** Devoutly take part in the official Jubilee celebrations or rites.

* **Prayer and Meditation:** Spend a suitable amount of time in pious meditation at one of these sacred sites.

* **Concluding Prayers:** The visit must conclude with:

* The **Our Father**.

* The **Nicene or Apostles' Creed**.

* **Invocations** to the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Francis, St. Clare, and the Saints of the Franciscan Family.

2. The Three Usual Conditions

The following must also be fulfilled, typically within about 20 days before or after the pious work:

* **Sacramental Confession:** One confession suffices for several plenary indulgences.

* **Eucharistic Communion:** Ideally received while participating in Holy Mass on the day of the pilgrimage.

* **Prayer for the Pope’s Intentions:** One *Our Father* and one *Hail Mary* are the standard minimum.

3. Essential Disposition

* **Detachment from Sin:** The individual must have the interior disposition of complete detachment from all sin, including venial sin.

4. Special Provisions

* **Suffrage:** This indulgence can be applied to oneself or to the souls of the faithful departed in Purgatory.

* **The Sick and Homebound:** Those unable to travel for grave reasons (the elderly, the sick, and their caregivers) can obtain the indulgence by spiritually joining the Jubilee celebrations, offering their sufferings to God, and intending to fulfill the three usual conditions as soon as possible.

Since we are in the **Teutopolis/Effingham** area, a pilgrimage to **St. Francis of Assisi Church in Teutopolis** would be a direct way to fulfill the physical requirement of the decree. We also have St. Rose of Lima Parish in Montrose, St Aloysius Church at Bishop Creek and St. Joseph Church in Island Grove.

Blessings,

Father Juan Carlos Ruiz, OFM