A Shepherd's Message - Sept. 22, 2026

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

When Claudio Cardinal Hummes embraced the newly elected Pope Francis in 2013, he whispered a simple plea that would define his entire pontificate: “Do not forget the poor.” That single line inspired the new pope to take the name of the Poverello of Assisi (“Little Poor Man of Assisi”).

Now, as we observe the Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV to mark the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death, also known as his Transitus (“passage”), his entrance into heaven, the Church is once again being invited to look to Assisi to rediscover the heart of the Gospel.

For centuries, what continues to draw people to St. Francis, including Protestants and those who are not Catholic or even Christian, is how authentic his conversion really was. Having been born into wealth and experienced abundance, St. Francis realized that possessions and money could never satisfy the deepest longing of the human spirit. Stepping away from his wealth was not about deprivation; it was about finding complete freedom and putting his utter confidence and dependence in God. 

During this Jubilee Year, may we follow the example of St. Francis of Assisi by finding God and encountering Christ in simple, ordinary ways: in prayer, at Mass, in the Sacraments, in the poor and in one another.

By letting go of possessions, St. Francis learned to rely completely on the Lord Jesus. He understood that what mattered most was not what he possessed, but whom he followed.

At the core of his spirituality was an ongoing wonder at the mystery of the Incarnation. St. Francis was deeply moved by the fact that God became one of us in Jesus Christ. Jesus became poor to save us. This mystery moved him to create the first live Nativity scene, taking a baby and bringing animals together on Christmas so people could see the reality of how God shared our human condition. 

St. Francis also realized the importance of encountering Christ in the poor. One of the most powerful stories of his life occurred when he met a leper begging on the road. At a time when lepers were feared, St. Francis was moved with compassion, approaching the man to embrace and kiss him despite his disfigured appearance.

Through that encounter, he recognized the presence of Christ in someone who was suffering and cast aside. Writing in his Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi Te (“I have loved you”), Pope Leo XIV pointed to this moment, explaining that eight centuries ago, young St. Francis was converted by his direct contact with the poor and outcast, prompting an evangelical renewal that changed history.

That encounter continues to challenge us today. In his encyclical Magnifica Humanitas (“Magnificient Humanity”), Pope Leo reminds us that Church and society should be built upon the “rejected stones” among us — the poor, the sick, the homeless, immigrants and those pushed out by society. Reaching out to those on the margins is not simply an act of social justice; it is an encounter with Christ Himself.

As the Gospel of Matthew reminds us in chapter 25, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

That spirit of encounter is also what makes a pilgrimage so meaningful. Pilgrimages are not sightseeing trips or tourist outings. They serve as a reminder that our life is a journey toward eternity with God. Similar to our journey towards heaven, pilgrims encounter Christ along the way, meeting God in the people, events and moments of grace long before reaching their final destination. Pilgrimages help facilitate conversion, allowing God’s grace to enter our lives and change our hearts.

Having had the blessing of visiting Assisi several times, I am always inspired by that medieval city nestled in the hills of central Italy. Seeing the simple, patched habit of St. Francis preserved in the basilica reminds pilgrims of just how humbly he lived. Interestingly, St. Francis never believed he was worthy to be ordained a priest and only reluctantly became a deacon, desiring simply to live a humble life.

Today, pilgrims to Assisi can pray not only at the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi, but also at the tombs of St. Clare and St. Carlo Acutis. Together, they remind us that holiness is possible in every age and every vocation.

In Dilexi Te, Pope Leo exhorted us to allow Christian love to break down every barrier and bring people together in Christ. During this Jubilee Year, may we follow the example of St. Francis of Assisi by finding God and encountering Christ in simple, ordinary ways: in prayer, at Mass, in the Sacraments, in the poor and in one another.