San Francisco Event Celebrates Franciscan Jubilee Year, Laudato Si’ and the Call to Cherish Our Common Home
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi cordially invites parishes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area to participate in a special Franciscan Jubilee Year event: a Care for Creation Pilgrimage and Mass, to be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
“Now more than ever, we need the message of hope and peace found in Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato Si’ on Care for Our Common Home,” said Father Bobby Barbato, OFM Cap, Rector of the National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi. “This pilgrimage is an opportunity for our community to gather in the spirit of St. Francis — to cherish the grace of creation that sustains
us, and to renew our commitment to be in right relationship with our God, each other, and all creation.”
EVENT SCHEDULE
The day begins at 10:00 am in Washington Park (across from Saints Peter & Paul Church, 666 Filbert Street, San Francisco) with a special opening blessing and ‘Care for Creation’ nature prayer reflections. Participants will then join a short pilgrimage procession — approximately 0.3 miles — to the National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi at 610 Vallejo Street.
Upon arrival at the Shrine, Father Barbato will deliver a talk on St. Francis and the Laudato Si’ Movement at 11:15 am, followed by a ‘Care for Creation’ Mass at 12:15 pm, with Father Barbato serving as principal celebrant. A light reception hosted by the Knights of St. Francis will follow the Mass.
ABOUT LAUDATO SI’
The words ‘Laudato Si” — translated “Praise be to you” — are drawn from St. Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of Creation. The full passage reads: “Praise be to you, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.” Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical takes its name and spirit from this canticle, calling all people to cherish creation and live in kinship with God, one another, and the natural world.
This event is co-sponsored by the National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi, the California Chapter of the Laudato Si’ Movement, the Laudate Deum Prayer Network for Climate Healing, and the Pilgrimages of Hope for Creation.
For more information or questions, please contact the National Shrine at [email protected] or reach Mark Rutkowski at [email protected].