SAN DIEGO — Eight churches in the Diocese of San Diego have been named by Bishop Michael Pham as pilgrimage sites for the “Year of St. Francis.”
Pope Leo XIV has declared a “Year of St. Francis” from Jan. 10, 2026, to Jan. 10, 2027, to celebrate the eighth centenary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi.
A special plenary indulgence “under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father)” is available to those who make a pilgrimage during the Year of St. Francis to any Franciscan conventual church or place of worship associated with him and follow the Jubilee rites or spend suitable time in prayer to God for an increase of Christian charity and peace, concluding with the Our Father, the Creed and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare and all the saints of the Franciscan Family.
Bishop Pham has designated the following churches as the pilgrimage sites in the San Diego Diocese: Immaculate Conception Parish, Old Town; Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá; St. Francis Chapel at Mission San Diego de Alcalá; Old Mission San Luis Rey, Oceanside; San Luis Rey Parish, Oceanside; St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Imperial; St. Didacus Parish, San Diego; and St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Vista.
The elderly, sick and homebound also will be able to obtain the plenary indulgence by spiritually joining the Jubilee celebrations and offering their prayers, pains or sufferings to God.
