4th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 The Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi

800yrs ago Sister Death came for St. Francis. 

Death was not the grim reaper for Francis;

But his sister who came to carry him home. 

Francis so loved the world, 

More than anyone 

Except God !

Francis played under Brother Sun. 

And danced beneath Sister Moon. 

He bathed in sister Water

He breathed in Brother wind and air

And walked barefoot on Sister Earth. 

Everyone and everything was brother and sister and mother to Francis. 

Even Death;

And that is why Francis welcomed Death as his sister. 

Because as much as Francis loved this world

He knew he was only a Pilgrim passing through. 

And that Sister Death would carry him home. 

Sister Death therefore is not the end

But the beginning. 

Not a separation but a reunion;

And that as we play in this world

The evening will come

When sister Death calls out to us

That it is time to come home;

For dinner is ready;

And everyone has gathered;

Around the Supper of the Lamb. 

Plenary Indulgence for the Jubilee of the Transitus of St. Francis

Jan 10,2026-Jan 10 2027

Pope Leo is granting a Plenary Indulgence for the 800th anniversary of the Death of St. Francis of Assisi 

What is a Plenary Indulgence?

While sins are forgiven, restitution for the damage which sin has caused must in Justice be repaid. Mt. 5:26

The Church which has the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven given to Her by Jesus Mt. 16:19, offers to unlock the treasury of her graces and pay the restitution through the gift of a Plenary Indulgence If a person seeks an honest conversion and repentance of their life through Confession, Communion and prayer and make Pilgrimage to a Franciscan Church or shrine.

This Plenary Indulgence may be applied to one’s own life or be offered as a gift of restitution for someone who has died. 

One may receive more than one Plenary Indulgence if one fulfills each time the requirement of visiting a Franciscan Church, Confession, Communion and prayers for the Pope’s Intention with the desire of one’s own personal conversion and repentance. 

After the Jubilee Year of 2026 is over, one may receive a Plenary Indulgence every August 2 on the Franciscan Feast of Our Lady of the Angels, by visiting a Franciscan Church on that day, going to confession, receiving Communion and praying for the Pope’s Intentions within 8 days. 

Franciscan Churches of St. Bonaventure Province

Marytown : 1600 W. Park Av. Libertyville IL

St. Ita :  1220 W. Catalpa Av. Chicago, IL

St. Josaphat Basilica : 2333 S. Sixth St. Milwaukee, WI.

St. Patrick 420 E. 6th St. Minonk

St. Ann 311 W. Santa Fe Toluca

St. Mary 207 W 3rd S. St. Wenona

St. John the Baptist 301 S. Sheridan Lostant