St. Francis Catholic ChurchSpecial Jubilee Year of
St. Francis of Assisi
Proclaimed by the Holy See with the approval of Pope Leo XIV, marking the 800th anniversary of the Transitus of St. Francis (1226–2026).
“Lord, make us instruments of your peace: renewing the Church through peace, reconciliation, care for creation, and mission.”
Pastoral Letter of His Grace, Most Rev. Augustine Obiora Akubeze, Archbishop of Benin City · 12 June 2026
The Archdiocese opens the Jubilee Year at St. Francis, Ekenhuan Road
Our parish has the singular honour of hosting the solemn inauguration of the Jubilee Year for the entire Archdiocese of Benin City on Friday, 12 June 2026 — with a Pontifical Mass, the launch of the Archdiocesan Jubilee Prayer and Hymn, the consecration of the Archdiocese to the ideals of peace, charity, simplicity and evangelical witness, and the planting of a Jubilee tree on our grounds.
Key Celebrations of the Jubilee Year
Friday, 12 June 2026
Opening of the Jubilee Year
St. Francis Catholic Church, Ekenhuan Road, Benin City
Hosted at our parish: Solemn Pontifical Mass, launch of the Archdiocesan Jubilee Prayer and Hymn, consecration of the Archdiocese to the ideals of St. Francis, presentation of the Jubilee programme, and the planting of a tree.
Saturday, 3 October 2026
Transitus of St. Francis — Pilgrimage
Franciscan Monastery, Okokhuo
A pilgrimage marking exactly 800 years since the death of St. Francis, with personal reflection, reconciliation, and a Solemn Pontifical Mass — an occasion for gaining the plenary indulgence.
Friday, 1 January 2027
Closing of the Jubilee Year
Benin Correctional Facility
The Jubilee concludes in the company of our brothers and sisters at the correctional centre — a profound witness to simplicity, charity, peace-building, and the dignity of every human person.
The Jubilee Plenary Indulgence
The Apostolic Penitentiary has granted the faithful the possibility of obtaining a Plenary Indulgence throughout the Jubilee Year under the usual conditions:
- 1Sacramental Confession
- 2Reception of the Holy Eucharist
- 3Prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father
- 4Pilgrimage to churches, shrines, or places dedicated to St. Francis or the Franciscan family
Major Pastoral Themes
The Jubilee invites every family, society, and parishioner to live the Gospel values that shaped the life and mission of St. Francis.
Peace & Reconciliation
Prayer for peace in Nigeria, reconciliation within families and communities, interreligious dialogue, and a campaign against violence, cultism, kidnapping, and corruption.
Simplicity & Holiness of Life
Christian stewardship, combating materialism and greed, Franciscan spirituality workshops, and the witness of joyful simplicity.
Care for Creation
Environmental sanitation projects, tree planting, ecological education in schools and parishes, and responsible use of resources.
Charity & Love for the Poor
Outreach to prisons, hospitals, orphanages and the displaced; parish food banks; support for widows and unemployed youth; medical outreach.
Eucharistic & Sacramental Renewal
Eucharistic adoration, frequent confession campaigns, parish retreats and missions, and liturgical renewal programmes.
Evangelization & Mission
Door-to-door and digital evangelization, revival of Small Christian Communities, and youth missionary outreach.
The Monthly Jubilee Journey
| Month | Theme |
|---|---|
| June | Conversion and Renewal |
| July | Vocation and Mission |
| August | Simplicity and Outreach |
| September | Justice and Social Transformation |
| October | Reconciliation and Encounter |
| November | Education and Care for Creation |
| December | Compassion and Charity |
| January | Mercy and Missionary Discipleship |
“May our families become schools of peace, our parishes centres of reconciliation and evangelization, our youths witnesses of holiness and integrity, and our communities places where charity and justice flourish.”
— Most Rev. Augustine Obiora Akubeze, Archbishop of Benin City