St. Anthony’s Friary Church, an OFM pastoral ministry of the Province in India, solemnly inaugurated the Franciscan Jubilee Year 2026 and announced to the congregation the Plenary Indulgence granted for this Jubilee.
Br. Ignacio Ceja Jiménez, Vicar General of the Order, presided over the Eucharistic celebration in a fully packed church. In his homily, he reflected on the significance of the Jubilee, highlighting how St. Francis of Assisi, a man of peace and a brother to all, continues to call Christians to live lives of Gospel fidelity and authentic discipleship, marked by poverty, simplicity, and joy, as beautifully envisioned in the Gospel.
Led by the OFS fraternities of the parish and the neighbourhood, Br. Ignacio proceeded to the altar, accompanied by Br. Baptist D’Souza, OFM, Delegate of the General Secretary to the OFM Fraternitas Foundation, Rome; Br. Xavier Durairaj, the Minister Provincial; Br. Saji Mathew, the Vicar Provincial; and friars from the fraternity.
The celebration took on a truly inter-Franciscan character, as Franciscan brothers and sisters from the neighbourhood actively participated in the liturgy, expressing the shared spirit of communion within the Franciscan family.
During the Eucharist, the Jubilee symbol was inaugurated, inviting the faithful to receive the graces of the Jubilee by visiting this Franciscan church. In a deeply meaningful moment, the words of St. Francis, “May the Lord give you peace,” were invoked, as the congregation exchanged the sign of peace with one another.
At the conclusion of the Mass, Br. Ignacio formally announced the inauguration of the Franciscan Jubilee Year 2026 and sent forth the faithful to live the Franciscan spirit of Gospel fidelity in their daily lives.
Following the Eucharistic celebration, the members of the OFS fraternities had a warm and enriching interaction with Br. Ignacio.
