A Holy Year
“All praise be yours, my Lord, through all that you have made…”
—Opening line of St. Francis’ “The Canticle of the Creatures”
This past Saturday, SMS parents and students, as well as St. Michael’s parishioners, gathered under the solar panels on the North Campus blacktop to partake in an annual tradition celebrated worldwide – The Blessing of Animals – in honor of the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. Despite the brutal temperatures, we had a wonderful turnout. Several of our Mercy Corps students led those assembled in a prayer service after which Fr. Mel sprinkled all the furry friends with a blast of holy water.
In January, Pope Leo XIV declared 2026 as The Year of St. Francis, marking the 800th anniversary of the saint’s passing (he died on the evening of October 3, 1226, and his feast day is commemorated each year on October 4). Francis is, no doubt, one of the most well-known and beloved of all the saints to whom we pray, and most of us know his story well. He was born in Assisi, Italy, to a wealthy family, but rejected this lifestyle to serve God, embracing a life of prayer and poverty. Francis loved the poor and all of creation, and above all, he was a peacemaker. Pope Leo especially hopes that Francis’ life and his call to peace will guide each of us, not only in our personal relationships, but also in our respect for all of creation.
The Year of St. Francis will conclude on January 10, 2027. There are many ways that you can help your children/grandchildren honor him in these remaining months.
Be a Peacemaker at Home and at School: Focus on forgiveness; look for the good in our families and classmates, and be kind to everyone – even those we do not like.
Care for God’s Creation: Help out around the house by keeping our rooms tidy, assist with the dishes, take out the trash.
Make a Donation to the San Diego Humane Society: Mercy Corps is collecting non-refrigerated pet food, treats, and supplies (see complete list here) through this Friday, October 9. Bring donations to the North or South Campus Offices.
Remember Francis at Christmas: Set up a Nativity scene in your home. It was Francis who established the first nativity scene on Christmas Eve in 1223 in the Italian town of Greccio.
Pray the Prayer to St. Francis (linked here) or Pope Leo’s Prayer to St. Francis: (see below).
Listen to the Recording Instrument of Your Peace by Francesca LaRosa and Sarah Hart: (see below).
St. Michael’s School was established in 1964 by the Sisters of St. Clare of Assisi (Founder of the Order of Poor Clares, who was one of the first followers of Saint Francis), so we consider ourselves part of the Franciscan family. Let us finish this Holy Year in a way that would make St. Francis proud.
St. Francis, Pray for Us.
Deo Gratias, Kathy
Pope Leo delivered the following prayer to the Ministers General of the Conference of the Franciscan Family on the occasion of the opening of the 8th Centenary of the Transitus of Saint Francis:
“Saint Francis, our brother, you, who eight hundred years ago,
went to meet Sister Death as a man at peace,
intercede for us before the Lord.
You recognized true peace in the Crucifix of San Damiano,
teach us to seek in Him the source of all reconciliation
that breaks down every wall.
You who, unarmed, crossed the lines of war
and misunderstanding,
give us the courage to build bridges
where the world raises up boundaries.
In this time afflicted by conflict and division,
intercede for us so that we may become peacemakers:
unarmed and disarming witnesses of the peace that comes from Christ.”
Amen.
