February 1, 2026 • Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Dear Parish Family: 

In celebration of the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi, Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a Special Year of St. Francis, during which it is hoped that every Christian, “following the example of the Saint of Assisi, may himself become a model of holiness of life and a constant witness of peace.” The year began on January 10, 2026, and will continue until January 10, 2027.

This Year of Saint Francis spurs all of us, each according to our possibilities, to imitate the poor man of Assisi, to form ourselves as far as possible on the model of Christ. Saint Francis was born in Assisi, Italy, in 1181 to a wealthy family. He lived a privileged early life but desired to be a knight and to receive the glory that went with it. He went to war, but it didn’t go well. He was captured and injured. Eventually released to his family, he seemed lost.

An incident he later credited with changing his life was an encounter with a leper outside the walls of the city. The leper asked for his help, but repulsed, Francis fled. Then, regretting his reaction, he returned and embraced the man. The experience led Francis to reflect on his life and to spend more time in prayer and solitude.

Francis would eventually give up all his wealth to live a simple life of prayer, poverty, obedience to the Lord, and service to the poor.

Others would begin to follow Francis’s example. With the approval of Pope Innocent III, Saint Francis founded the Franciscan Order in the early 13th century, launching what is generally recognized as the greatest spiritual renewal the Church has ever known. 

Saint Francis renounced his inheritance and his father’s wealth. He stripped himself of privilege and status to follow the poor with Christ. But notice what Francis did not do. He didn’t renounce Assisi. He didn’t flee his town or his people. He stayed there. He lived the Gospel in the middle of his culture, and that transformed it. Saint Francis shows us that evangelizing culture doesn’t mean abandoning it. It means living the Gospel right where you are, so the culture is changed from within. 

Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us.

Grace and peace! 
Father Neil Sullivan