St. Francis Assisi parish in Hoboken — The Little Church with the Big Heart — will launch the Jubilee Year of Saint Francis year with a Franciscan-themed mass celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Bismarck Chau and all are invited. The mass is at 9:30 AM at the church located at 308 Jefferson St. in Hoboken.

In January, Pope Leo XIV announced a special Jubilee Year of Saint Francis to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the passing of St. Francis of Assisi (1226–2026). Known as the “Easter of Francis,” this period honors the saint’s life and legacy with plenary indulgences, focusing on peace, ecology, and Franciscan spirituality. The Jubilee Year officially began on Jan. 10, 2026 and will run through Jan. 10, 2027.

“We are so pleased that Pope Leo has recognized this milestone to celebrate the life of St. Francis during these turbulent times,” said Fr. Chris Panlilio, the pastor of St. Francis Assisi in Hoboken, an official pilgrimage site for the Jubilee Year. “Now is a time for reflection to show God’s mercy through our prayers and actions just as St. Francis did.”

The Jubilee is an opportunity for the faithful to rekindle their faith, strengthen their relationship with God and with the community of the Church. St. Francis demonstrated throughout his life how God’s mercy works in history also through people who have opened their hearts to His action. As part of the Jubilee celebration, the Pope also issued a decree granting the faithful the plenary indulgence during the Year of Saint Francis.

Indulgence makes it possible to free the heart from the burden of sin, since it is the remission by God of the temporal punishment for sins that have already been forgiven in the sacrament of penance and reconciliation, so that one may carry out the due reparation in full freedom.

To obtain the plenary indulgence during the Year of Saint Francis, certain specific conditions indicated by the Church must be fulfilled. They are: 

• Attend mass at St. Francis – we will kickoff the celebration at 9:30 mass on Sun., Feb. 22 with a Franciscan themed mass celebrated by Bishop Bismarck Chau
• Receive Sacramental confession (in the 20 days before or after visiting St. Francis)
• Eucharistic Communion (in the 20 days before or after visiting St. Francis)
• Recitation of the Lord’s Prayer; Pray for the Intentions of the Holy Father & Invoke the Grace of the Blessed Virgin, St. Francis, St. Clare and all the Saints of the Franciscan Family
• Daily acts of humility or charity.

For further information contact Theresa Howard at 201.659.1772 or email communications@stfrancishoboken.net