The Vatican has recently announced that 2026 will be the Year of St. Francis. This year marks eight centuries since the death of St. Francis of Assisi, a saint known for his embrace of poverty and humility, for his acts of service, and for his love of the environment and all creation.
In their announcement, the Vatican noted that the era in which St. Francis lived was marked by “so-called holy wars, relaxed morals and misguided religious fervour… Our times are not very different from those in which Francis lived, and precisely in light of this, his teachings are perhaps even more valid and understandable today.” 1 They hope that this Year of Saint Francis will encourage us all “to mould ourselves as much as possible on the model of Christ, to not let the intentions of the Holy Year just passed be in vain: may the hope that saw us as pilgrims now be transformed into zeal and fervour of active charity.”1
During this special year, Catholics are encouraged to make pilgrimage to places of worship dedicated to St. Francis. We have two such places in the Diocese of Victoria:
- St. Joseph's Friary in Victoria (1076 Joan Crescent)
- Pilgrims welcome Monday – Saturday to visit at 3 pm, and for Mass at 4 pm
- St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Tofino (441 Main St)
- Pilgrims welcome Saturdays at 4:30 pm for the Rosary, and for Mass/Service at 5 pm; for visits at other times, please call or email in advance: 250-726-4225 or wcc@rcdvictoria.org
Together with the Vatican, we pray that in this Year of St. Francis, “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.”1
1. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2026/01/16/260116c.html
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