Notes from Rome By the Most Rev. Joe Roesch, MIC My parents were Secular Franciscans and so had a special devotion to the saint. He is remembered throughout the world as a holy man because he became so much like Christ. He suffered the stigmata, the wounds of Christ. The document from the Apostolic Penitentiary (posted on SecularFranciscansUSA.org) speaks of him in this way: “Francis, ... the son of a wealthy merchant, made himself poor and humble — a true alter Christus (another Christ) on earth — providing the world with tangible examples of gospel living and a genuine image of Christian perfection.” Jesus asked Francis to rebuild His Church, to help the Church of his time to overcome many excesses and become simple and poor once again. Our world today needs the intercession of Francis as we search for peace and harmony. The Vatican offers a plenary indulgence this year, under the usual conditions, to those who visit a church dedicated to St. Francis or his memory in any way and who pray while there. The homebound, the elderly, and those who care for them can also obtain the indulgence, even if they are not able to leave their homes. I have the great privilege of living in Rome, so, in February, I went by car with four other Marians to visit Assisi, where the bones of St. Francis (above) were put on display in a glass case for the veneration of the faithful. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from around the world visited Assisi during that month. I have to say that I was a little afraid of what the crowds would be like. It was necessary to make a reservation. Around 750 people filed past his glass casket every half hour. We filed into a large tent which was separated into three sections. One section would allow pilgrims to file past the bones, while the other two sections waited. We were given booklets with prayers to pray while we waited. Holy cards with a pilgrim prayer were available in all different languages. After going past, it was possible to go to Confession. Many Franciscan priests were on duty to help the pilgrims to deepen their conversion. We also had a chance to visit the tomb of St. Carlo Acutis while we were in Assisi. Why do we venerate the relics of the saints? They are God’s masterpieces. They were like us in many ways, but then they surrendered their lives to God and His grace. They became the people that God wanted them to become. They are our older brothers and sisters in faith. We can ask their intercession so that we can win the battle as they did. We only worship God. But the relics of the saints reminds us that they lived here on earth like us and that now they are enjoying the glory of Heaven. Saint Francis was rather short in height. He had a bone structure like all of us. In some ways, there was nothing extraordinary about looking at his bones. But we are reminded that he became an extraordinary person because he lived a holy life. It was a life of prayer, sacrifice, joy, suffering, and love. Let us ask St. Francis to intercede for us during this Holy Year! Amen! A YEAR OF ST. FRANCIS T his year marks 800 years since the death of St. Francis of Assisi in 1226. Pope Leo XIV asked the Apostolic Penitentiary to proclaim this a special year of St. Francis, lasting until Jan. 10, 2027. The Most Rev. Joe Roesch, MIC, is the Superior General of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. He lives in Rome. Listen to his podcasts, including “Saint Faustina’s Diary in a Year,” on TheDivineMercy.org/podcasts and DivineMercyPlus.org/podcasts. EWTNNews.com/Sacred Convent of Assisi Marian Helper • Summer 2026 • Marian.org 7 Father Joe talks about the year of St. Francis.
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