Bishop Olson promulgates decree designating Saint Francis pilgrimage sites
A mural of St. Francis of Assisi with Jesus on the cross at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Grapevine. The mural can be seen behind the altar in the sanctuary. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)
FORT WORTH — Bishop Michael Olson promulgated a decree designating eleven parishes in the Diocese of Fort Worth as pilgrimage sites during the Jubilee Year in honor of the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ death.
Earlier this year, Pope Leo XIV proclaimed a “Special Year of St. Francis” to commemorate the anniversary of the saint’s death. During this special period of grace, which ends January 10, 2027, the faithful are granted the opportunity to obtain a plenary indulgence.
In his decree, Bishop Olson explained the pilgrimage sites were established “by virtue of being named for Saint Francis or being served by Franciscan priests.” The eleven parishes in the Diocese of Fort Worth are:
- Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Grapevine
- Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Graford
- Good Shepherd Parish, Colleyville
- Holy Cross Parish, The Colony
- Holy Trinity Parish, Azle
- Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, Arlington
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Fort Worth
- Saint Andrew Parish, Fort Worth
- Saint Catherine of Siena Parish, Carrollton
- Saint John Paul II Parish, Denton
- Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish, Fort Worth
Mass times for the pilgrimage sites can be found on the parish finder tab of the diocesan website: fwdioc.org/parish-finder.
Bishop Olson stated the jubilee plenary indulgence is obtained with “the usual prescribed conditions”: visiting the site as a pilgrimage; participating in sacramental confession; receiving Holy Communion; praying for the intentions of the pope; and totally excluding any attachment to sin.
The indulgence may be obtained individually or in groups.
Also, the elderly, sick, and those who cannot leave their homes for serious reasons may obtain the plenary indulgence by spiritually joining in the jubilee celebrations and offering their prayers, pains, or sufferings to God.
Pope Leo XIV, in his letter to the Conference of the Franciscan Family which opened the Franciscan Jubilee Year, highlighted that St. Francis reminds us that “peace with God, peace among people, and peace with creation are inseparable dimensions of a single call to universal reconciliation.
“Dear brothers and sisters, may the example and spiritual legacy of this saint, strong in faith, steadfast in hope and ardent in active charity towards his neighbor, inspire in everyone the importance of trusting in the Lord, of living a life faithful to the Gospel, and of accepting and illuminating every circumstance and action of life with faith and prayer,” wrote Pope Leo.