This Jubilee celebration invites the faithful throughout the world to reflect on the life of St. Francis of Assisi, his radical trust in God, his compassion for the poor, and his love for all of creation.

A Jubilee Year in the Catholic Church is a special time of grace, forgiveness, and spiritual renewal. Traditionally celebrated every 25 years or, in this case, proclaimed as an extraordinary year for a particular occasion, a Jubilee encourages a conversion of heart, deeper prayer, and works of mercy. The faithful mark a Jubilee year through pilgrimages, special liturgies, and passing through designated “holy doors” as outward signs of an inward journey.

The Diocese of Saint Petersburg invites each of you to participate in a diocesan-wide pilgrimage to designated Jubilee sites across our local Church. The following parishes and centers have been named as official pilgrimage sites under the patronage of St. Francis of Assisi or those administered by members of Franciscan religious orders:

• St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Seffner
• Sacred Heart Parish, Tampa
• St. Mary Our Lady of Grace Parish, St. Petersburg
• St. Patrick Parish, Tampa
• Franciscan Center, Tampa

Through this diocesan pilgrimage, you are invited to travel from parish to parish in an effort to enter more deeply into the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. As we visit these holy sites, participate in the sacraments, and pray together, we unite ourselves more closely to Christ and to one another. May this pilgrimage renew in each of us a deeper appreciation for the life and witness of St. Francis of Assisi and a renewed commitment to courageously live the Gospel.

According to the Decree, the Jubilee Year will run from January 10, 2026, through January 10, 2027.