In observance of
THE FRANCISCAN JUBILEE YEAR
Year of Saint Francis Local Camino
A Journey of Faith, Fellowship, and Gratitude
Last October 24, 2026
St. Augustine Catholic Church to Our Lady of Angels Church in Burlingame
Before the morning starlight faded,
175 pilgrims gathered at St. Augustine Church to embark on an
8.5-mile spiritual and physical journey
to Our Lady of Angels Church, a Franciscan parish in Burlingame. The Camino celebrated the
Franciscan Jubilee Year (January 10, 2026 – January 10, 2027), proclaimed by
Pope Leo XIV to commemorate the
800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, encouraging local pilgrimages of faith and spiritual renewal.
Welcoming the rising sun, the pilgrims walked in the spirit of St. Francis, organized into
four groups for safety and a more meaningful experience of prayer, reflection, and fellowship.
The
Praise & Glory Choir sent them off with nourishment and encouragement. Their journey through peaceful neighborhoods, winding trails, and rolling hills offered moments to appreciate God's creation, with three hospitality stops graciously hosted by the
St. Vincent de Paul Society, Hospitality Ministry, and Legion of Mary.
After hours of walking, the pilgrims arrived at Our Lady of Angels, a Franciscan parish in Burlingame. Fr. Ed Dura's group was the first to finish. Every group that finished the walk was welcomed with great cheers by the members of the Franciscan Jubilee Committee and fellow pilgrims. Upon arriving in the church, they were greeted by a Filipino Franciscan Friar,
Father Peter Eugenio, OFM, who gave a a brief catechesis on the significance of this ancient spiritual practice, the "Camino." Father Peter concluded with a traditional Franciscan blessing to the pilgrims and gave each pilgrim an opportunity to venerate the first class Relic of Saint Francis of Assisi.
The
Knights of Columbus concluded the celebration with a well-deserved lunch for pilgrims and their families. The members of the
Franciscan Jubilee Committee, together with
Fr. Ray, Fr. Ed, Fr. Ifeanyi, Deacon Nestor, and Deacon Virgil, extend their heartfelt gratitude to all pilgrims, sponsors, parish ministries, volunteers, and our brothers and sisters at Our Lady of Angels who made this historic pilgrimage possible.
May the spirit of St. Francis continue to inspire us to walk in faith, serve with love, and embrace one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.
By Denise Guevarra, Franciscan Jubilee Committee
Photos by Denise Gueverra, Marijoy Angeles,
Joel Faustino, Vivian Ramos
Franciscan Jubilee Weekend Oct. 3 & 4
Celebrating Creation, Community
and the Spirit of
Saint Francis of Assisi
SAC celebrated a beautiful and memorable Franciscan Jubilee Weekend, last October 3rd and 4th, bringing together faith, creation, community, and the enduring spirit of St. Francis of Assisi.
Saturday, October 3rd
The weekend began on Saturday, October 3, with SAC’s first-ever Mass for the Care of Creation during the 9:00 a.m. Mass. Faith Formation catechists, students, and families joined the parish community for this special celebration, with students in Grades 1–6 taking an active role in the liturgy.
The Faith Formation Program presented a beautiful textile mosaic of St. Francis with outstretched arms, embracing the prayers of our students and catechists and depicting the sun, earth, plants, and fish. Fr. Ray shared that while this was the first time SAC has celebrated a special Mass for Creation, he hopes it will become an annual tradition at St. Augustine.
The celebration carries special significance following Pope Francis’ establishment of the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation in 2015, inspired by his landmark environmental encyclical
Laudato Si’, On Care for Our Common Home.
Sunday, October 4th
On Sunday, October 4, we celebrated the 800th Transitus of Saint Francis, marking the close of the Season of Creation. Following Mass, the community gathered for the blessing of the Shrine of St. Francis, the dedication of the Mission Bell, and the placement of the Jubilee Time Capsule.
Among those participating in the shrine dedication was the Pimentel family, representing their mother, Mrs. Fe Pimentel, and their late father, Mr. Rey Pimentel, long time SAC parishioners. The Pimentel family generously sponsored the beautiful Shrine of St. Francis, creating a lasting gift for the parish community.
Fr. Ray then dedicated the Mission Bell to the people of St. Augustine on behalf of the Franciscan Jubilee Committee. With a joyful ring of the bell, the sound carried across the parish grounds.
The weekend concluded with a very special moment: the blessing and dedication of the Franciscan Jubilee Time Capsule. The capsule was filled with memorabilia from the Jubilee celebration, along with the prayers written by our Faith Formation students and catechists. Fr. Ray blessed the capsule and committed it to the future, with plans for it to be opened in 2076: 50 years from now. When that day comes, we hope the future SAC community will be able to look back and see how this generation aspired to follow the example of St. Francis, living with gratitude, caring for creation, serving others, and sharing the joy of faith. Of course, no celebration of St. Francis would be complete without a meal shared in community!
Our reliable Hospitality Ministry served a hearty community lunch of Arroz ala Cubana & sweet corn sticky rice porridge, prepared with love by Ms. Grace and Ms. Lucy and apple empanadas gifted by the Hernandez sisters.
From the children's prayers and the beauty of creation, to the ringing of the Mission Bell and the hopes sealed away for generations to come, Franciscan Jubilee Weekend reminded us that our faith is something we receive, celebrate, share, and pass on.
As we continue the Jubilee journey, may we carry with us the spirit of St. Francis: to praise God, care for our common home, and be instruments of peace, love, and hope for generations to come.
by Denise Guevara, Ecology Committee & Franciscan Jubilee Year Committee
Photo Credits: Vivian Ramos & Denise Guevara
Year of Saint Francis of Assisi Franciscan Jubilee Year
2026 - January 10 - 2027
"How much do you know about the Patron Saint of our city, Saint Francis of Assisi?"
As we celebrate the 800th Jubilee of St. Francis of Assisi, members of the Franciscan Jubilee Committee will offer a series of
SHORT PULPIT TALKS beginning this coming weekend,
August 30th through November to help us know St. Francis more deeply and discover how his life and spirituality can inspire us today.
The talks given before reciting Pope Leo's prayer to St. Francis for Peace will explore Francis’s conversion and spirituality, care for creation as Patron Saint of Ecology, compassion for the poor, and his powerful example of peace and interfaith dialogue.
CAMINO PILGRIM
(San Mateo)
From Saint Augustine Church (SSF) to Our Lady of Angels (Burlingame)
Following the August and September pulpit talks, while space is still available, there will be an opportunity to sign up as a Camino Pilgrim for our upcoming spiritual journey from St. Augustine Catholic Church to Our Lady of Angels in Burlingame on October 24th. For just $20, registration covers everything you need for the day: including an official pilgrim T-shirt, a baseball cap, a water bottle & lunch.
Come listen, reflect, and then walk in the spirit of St. Francis as we journey together toward the Jubilee.
St. Francis Comes to San Francisco!
Sacred Relics and Masterpieces
Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption – 1111 Gough Street, San Francisco
Contact: Deacon Christoph Sandoval | 415-567-2020, Ext. 203 |
christophsandoval@gmail.com
In this historic year for San Francisco, you are invited to encounter the living legacy of Saint Francis of Assisi in a profound and unforgettable way. Through the efforts of the Knights of Saint Francis of Assisi, The Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi, and the Archdiocese of San Francisco, sacred relics and masterpieces from Assisi, Italy, will travel from Assisi to San Francisco for the first time ever on U.S. soil.
Come and venerate these extraordinary relics, marking the 250th anniversary of our city and the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death. Draw near to the spirit of Assisi—and be renewed by the radical faith, humility, and peace of Saint Francis. See attached flyer for more details.
Pope Leo XIV declared the
2026 Franciscan Jubilee Year (Year of St. Francis of Assisi),
running from
January 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027), to mark the 800th anniversary of the death (Latin: Transitus) of Saint Francis of Assisi. This special year invites the faithful to
embrace
Peace, Care for Creation (Ecology) and Work for the Poor.
On May 9 & 10, Saint Augustine Church formally launched the Franciscan Jubilee Year. The altar of St. Francis and the San Damiano Cross was placed near the sanctuary where it will remain throughout the jubilee year.
In addition, this Jubilee Year of St. Francis is truly beneficial for the entire archdiocese. St. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of the City and County of San Francisco as well as the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
The Franciscan Jubilee Year is perfect timing as we face similar dangers that were present at the time when St. Francis lived – 800 years ago. His message of
Peace then, is needed now, more than ever. The Jubilee Prayer for peace that was composed by Pope Leo XIV will be prayed at mass throughout the jubilee year.
