Celebrating the Year of St Francis of Assisi

This year, our school community is proud to celebrate the Year of St Francis of Assisi — a special time to discover more about the life and message of St Francis and to reflect on how his example can inspire us today.

St Francis reminds us of the importance of kindness, humility, compassion and care for all creation. His deep love for nature, his care for others and his commitment to peace and service encourage us to look beyond ourselves and think about how we can make a difference in our school, our community and the wider world.

We are also inspired by the words and guidance of Pope Leo XIV, whose message of unity, social responsibility and care for our common home reflects the values at the heart of the Franciscan tradition.

Throughout this special year, we will have opportunities to learn, pray, serve and celebrate together. We hope that, inspired by St Francis, we will grow in kindness, deepen our faith and discover new ways to care for one another and for the wonderful world God has entrusted to us.

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” — St Francis of Assisi

A prayer for the Jubilee Year of St Francis

Pope Leo XIV had announced that 2026 is a Jubilee Year of St. Francis, to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death. The Holy Father has offered this prayer for the occasion:

Saint Francis, our brother, you who eight hundred years ago
went to meet Sister Death as a man at peace,
intercede for us before the Lord.

You recognised true peace in the Crucifix of San Damiano,
teach us to seek in Him the source of all reconciliation
that breaks down every wall.

You who, unarmed, crossed the lines of war
and misunderstanding,
give us the courage to build bridges
where the world raises up boundaries.

In this time afflicted by conflict and division,
intercede for us so that we may become peacemakers:
unarmed and disarming witnesses of the peace that comes from Christ.

Amen