6245 Wilimington Pike, Centerville, OH
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Make a Pilgrimage to St. Francis of Assisi ChurchThe Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi, proclaimed by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on January 10, 2026, commemorates the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi.
As a designated pilgrimage site for this extraordinary Jubilee Year, St. Francis of Assisi Church welcomes pilgrims from near and far to experience a time of prayer, renewal, and deeper communion with Christ through the example of St. Francis. Whether you visit alone, with family and friends, or as part of a group, you are invited to spend time in prayer, celebrate the Eucharist, receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and encounter God's mercy throughout this special year. Learn more about the jubilee: friars.us/news-and-media/800-years-of-st.-francis |
Pilgrimage
Why make a Pilgrimage? |
Plan Your Pilgrimage |
Planning a Group Pilgrimage? |
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A pilgrimage is more than a journey to a sacred place—it is an invitation to draw closer to Christ. During the Jubilee Year of St. Francis, pilgrims are encouraged to renew their faith through prayer, the sacraments, and the inspiring witness of St. Francis of Assisi.
When you visit St. Francis of Assisi Church, you are invited to: • Participate in the celebration of Mass. • Spend time in personal prayer. • Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. • Participate in Eucharistic Adoration and other prayer opportunities. • Pray for the intentions of the Holy Father. • Seek the plenary indulgence associated with the Jubilee Year. |
St. Francis of Assisi Church has been designated as an official pilgrimage site for the Jubilee Year of St. Francis, which concludes on January 10, 2027.
Whether you come for a weekday visit, Sunday Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, or another parish event, we encourage you to prayerfully prepare for your pilgrimage and take advantage of the many opportunities offered throughout the Jubilee Year. |
Groups wishing to make a pilgrimage to St. Francis of Assisi Church are encouraged to contact the parish office at 937-345-0101 before their visit.
Our staff will gladly assist in planning your pilgrimage and help accommodate your group's needs. |
Life-sized carved replica of the
San Damiano Crucifix
San Damiano Crucifix
Mass & Confession Times
Regular Mass Schedule
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Weekend
5:30 p.m. |
Daily
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Regular Confesion
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Expanded Confession Opportunities
September 21–October 18, 2026
During the weeks surrounding the Feast of St. Francis, St. Francis of Assisi Church will offer an expanded schedule of opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
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St. Francis Prayer Garden
Plenary Indulgence
What is it? |
How Can I Obtain it? |
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A plenary indulgence is a special grace offered through the mercy of God. It remits the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven.
During the Jubilee Year of St. Francis, the faithful may obtain a plenary indulgence by making a pilgrimage to a designated pilgrimage site, such as St. Francis of Assisi Church in Centerville, and fulfilling the other conditions established for the indulgence. As Pope Francis wrote in Spes Non Confundit, the Bull of Indiction for the Jubilee Year of Hope, the gift of an indulgence is “a way of discovering the unlimited nature of God's mercy.” Learn more about the plenary indulgence: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2026/01/16/260116c.html |
To obtain the plenary indulgence during the Jubilee Year of St. Francis, the faithful must:
1. Make a PilgrimageMake a pilgrimage to St. Francis of Assisi Church and spend a suitable amount of time in prayer. During your prayer, pray:
2. Receive Holy Communion, ideally on the same day as your pilgrimage, or within several days before or after making your pilgrimage. 3. Make a sacramental confession within several days before or after making your pilgrimage. 4. The person seeking a plenary indulgence must be detached from all sin, including venial sin. The elderly, sick, and those unable to leave their homes for serious reasons may also obtain the plenary indulgence if they are detached from all sin, fulfill the sacramental and prayer requirements as soon as possible, and offer their suffering to God. For the most current and complete information regarding the conditions for obtaining the plenary indulgence, please consult the official decree establishing the indulgence for the Jubilee Year of St. Francis. |
The Feast
Prayer Labyrinth
The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi |
Feast Day Opportunities |
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The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi is celebrated each year on October 4. The feast honors the life and witness of St. Francis, who sought to follow Christ through a life of humility, poverty, simplicity, service, and love for all of God's creation.
As the patron saint of animals and ecology, St. Francis is perhaps best known for his deep love of God's creation. His life continues to inspire people to live the Gospel with humility, compassion, and care for the poor and for all of creation. During the Jubilee Year commemorating the 800th anniversary of his death, the Feast of St. Francis offers a particularly fitting opportunity to make a pilgrimage, participate in the Eucharist, receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and seek the plenary indulgence associated with the Jubilee. |
On and around the Feast of St. Francis, pilgrims are invited to participate in the regular Mass schedule and take advantage of the expanded opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Additional opportunities include:
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Upcoming Jubilee Opportunities
XLT Adoration
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XLT AdorationSunday, September 27, 2026
7:00–8:30 p.m. All-Day Eucharistic AdorationThursday, October 1, 2026
9:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Blessing of the AnimalsSaturday, October 3, 2026
1:00 p.m. St. Francis Campus Picnic Shelter Fr. Brian Phelps will preside alongside Pastor Julie from Epiphany Lutheran Church. |
Understanding the Jubilee Indulgence
A plenary indulgence is a special grace offered by the Church that remits the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven.
During the Jubilee Year of St. Francis, the faithful may obtain a plenary indulgence by making a pilgrimage to a designated pilgrimage site, fulfilling the required spiritual conditions, and opening their hearts to God's abundant mercy.
As Pope Francis wrote in Spes Non Confundit, the gift of an indulgence is "a way of discovering the unlimited nature of God's mercy."
During the Jubilee Year of St. Francis, the faithful may obtain a plenary indulgence by making a pilgrimage to a designated pilgrimage site, fulfilling the required spiritual conditions, and opening their hearts to God's abundant mercy.
As Pope Francis wrote in Spes Non Confundit, the gift of an indulgence is "a way of discovering the unlimited nature of God's mercy."
How to Receive the Jubilee Indulgence
To receive the plenary indulgence during the Jubilee Year:
1. Make a pilgrimage to St. Francis of Assisi Church and spend time in prayer.
During your visit, pray:
• One Our Father
• One Apostles' Creed
• "Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us."
• "St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us."
• "St. Clare, pray for us."
• "All you holy men and women of the Franciscan Family, pray for us."
Also pray for the intentions of the Holy Father.
2. Receive Holy Communion
Ideally on the same day as your pilgrimage or within several days before or after.
3. Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Within several days before or after your pilgrimage.
4. Be detached from all sin
Including venial sin.
Those who are elderly, homebound, or seriously ill may also obtain the plenary indulgence by fulfilling the spiritual requirements as they are able and offering their suffering to God.
1. Make a pilgrimage to St. Francis of Assisi Church and spend time in prayer.
During your visit, pray:
• One Our Father
• One Apostles' Creed
• "Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us."
• "St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us."
• "St. Clare, pray for us."
• "All you holy men and women of the Franciscan Family, pray for us."
Also pray for the intentions of the Holy Father.
2. Receive Holy Communion
Ideally on the same day as your pilgrimage or within several days before or after.
3. Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Within several days before or after your pilgrimage.
4. Be detached from all sin
Including venial sin.
Those who are elderly, homebound, or seriously ill may also obtain the plenary indulgence by fulfilling the spiritual requirements as they are able and offering their suffering to God.
Prayers and ResourcesAdditional resources for the Jubilee Year of St. Francis