Pilgrimage Celebrates Jubilee of St. Francis

Pope Leo XIV proclaimed January 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027, as a “Year of St. Francis” to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death. During this time, the faithful are granted an opportunity to obtain a plenary indulgence by making a pilgrimage to a Franciscan Pilgrimage Site. We Sisters of St. Francis are happy that our Portiuncula Chapel has been designated by Bishop Daniel Thomas as one of three pilgrimage sites in the Toledo Diocese. Visitors are welcome to visit the Portiuncula daily between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.  Any pilgrim group that exceeds ten (10) in number is asked to contact Paige Strancar at 419-824-3618 in advance of their visit for additional guidance. General information about the Year of St. Francis and the diocesan pilgrimage sites can be found at https://toledodiocese.org/francis.

The Sisters’ request to all visitors: Our motherhouse campus spans 89 acres, about half of which are developed. It would be easy to perceive it as a public space, but it is actually private property and is OUR HOME. We Sisters are very pleased to welcome pilgrims to our motherhouse campus during this special time of grace. We are delighted to share its beauty and serenity with those seeking a prayer experience. We do ask all motherhouse visitors to respect the quiet and tranquility of our grounds. Visitors are free to walk on the main campus roads and sidewalks at any time between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., the same hours that the Portiuncula is open. (A campus map may be found at this link.) Visitors may go to Porta Coeli Cemetery to pray for the repose of the souls of our Sisters buried there.  Visitors should generally not feel free to enter campus buildings (other than the Portiuncula), except for Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel (if there are no services going on) and All Good Things Gift Shop (during the shop’s business hours). We know that pilgrims will readily appreciate the reason for our requests in this regard and will respect our motherhouse grounds and buildings.  We thank you in advance for your cooperation! And we thank you for your prayers on our behalf!