Peace, simplicity, love of the poor and of all God’s Creation are core Christian messages found throughout the Gospels – but of all the many saints who have exemplified these, perhaps the best-known, and one of the most beloved, is St Francis of Assisi.
We are fortunate to have Franciscan Brothers and Sisters of the Renewal based here in the Diocese of Leeds, plus the following churches and schools associated with the Franciscans or dedicated to St Francis:
- St Patrick’s Mission, Bradford (Franciscans of the Renewal, St Pio Friary) – Sedgefield Terrace, Westgate, Bradford BD1 2RU
- Church of St Francis, Bradford (Parish of the Immaculate Conception and St Francis), BD2 2JU (Our Lady & St Francis Primary School)
- Church of St Francis, Morley (Parish of St William of York), LS27 9NF (St Francis of Assisi Primary School, Morley)
- Church of St Francis, Holbeck (Parish of St Maximilian Kolbe), LS11 6TN (St Francis of Assisi Primary School & St Anthony’s Primary School)
St Francis’ Canticle of the Creatures (also known as the Canticle of the Sun, the first words of which are ‘Laudato Si’ mi’ Signore!’ – ‘Praise be to you, my Lord!’) exhorts us to praise God together with the whole of His Creation. Even in the secular world, St Francis is well-known for the stories about his love of nature and belief that humanity shares kinship with all creatures through God, their Creator. His sermons to the birds to ask that their song be used in praise of God, preaching to the fishes, and taming the savage Wolf of Gubbio all emphasise peace, reconciliation and Care for all Creation, and it was this which led to his being declared the Patron Saint of Ecology by Pope St John Paul II in 1979.
St Francis tames the Wolf of Gubbio
Throughout 2026, our Conservation and Environment website will be dedicated to St Francis of Assisi and to all the good news stories of how our clergy and lay faithful in parishes and schools across our Diocese are Caring for Creation, progressing peace and reconciliation, and supporting those experiencing poverty.
We will be making pilgrimages to our churches dedicated to St Francis, including our usual Laudato Si’ Mini-Pilgrimages for each season of the year and Blessings of Animals, engaging in events together with our Franciscan Brothers and Sisters of the Renewal, plus supporting many projects and initiatives to make our parishes and schools as environmentally, socially and economically sustainable as possible!
Please send YOUR ideas and suggestions, good news stories and events for the Year of St Francis to communications@dioceseofleeds.org.uk !
St Francis of Assisi: pray for us
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is the go-to online resource to look up what Catholics believe;
and further information about Indulgences can be found in the Catechism at CCC 1471-1479
… and also in Pope St Paul VI’s Indulgentiarum doctrina (1967)
*Broadly speaking, the ‘usual conditions’ for obtaining a Plenary Indulgence are:
– to be in a state of grace, and having determined in one’s heart and mind to abstain from all sin,
– to have received the Sacraments of Penance (Confession) and of the Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion), and
– to have prayed for the Pope’s intentions (usually with an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be).
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