2026 is the Year of St. Francis, marking his passing some 800 years ago. Pope Leo XIV has declared this Jubilee Year as one of reflection on St. Francis’ great humility and love of the poor and sick; the least among us. In response to the Holy Father’s proclamation, the Archdiocese of Atlanta, has identified Jubilee pilgrimage locations at local Franciscan parishes, shrines, missions and communities dedicated to St. Francis for the faithful to obtain a plenary indulgence. Our parish is one of those designated locations. To read more about the indulgence offered, please click the picture above!
Please note that the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Alabama is also a pilgrimage site for those of you visiting with the Adoration Sodality this October.
The Church traditionally dedicates the month of March to the special veneration of St. Joseph, whose feast day is March 19th. “He was chosen by the eternal Father as the trustworthy guardian and protector of His greatest treasures, namely, His divine Son and Mary, Joseph’s wife.” Due to St. Joseph’s leadership of the Holy Family, he has been declared the protector and patron of the universal Catholic Church.
Key Details About the Feast Day on March 19:
- Significance: It is a high-ranking feast, often falling during Lent.
- Symbolism: Lilies are often used to represent his purity and role as the husband of Mary.
- St. Joseph has 2 Feast Days, the other being May 1, Patron Saint of those who Work
- St. Joseph’s Table: Originating from a medieval famine relief vow, a Sicilian tradition where a table is arranged with flowers, food, and bread to thank St. Joseph for intercession during famine. Mark your calendars for our very own St. Joseph’s Table held next year on March 19. The first ever St. Joseph’s Table at St. Francis (as far as I know.) We will endeavor to make it authentic per the following:
- A three-tiered display, representing the Holy Trinity, with a statue of St. Joseph on the top tier. A smaller table, set for the Holy Family, is placed at front. These tables are filled with displays of food, flowers, candles and ‘zepolle’ [Italian donuts]. Since St. Joseph’s feast falls during Lent, the food is traditionally meatless.
- Bread crumbs on pasta—represent saw dust on the floor of St. Joseph’s workshop
- 12 fish or pasta Milanese—represent the 12 apostles
- White lilies—represent St. Joseph’s purity
- Breads—baked in the shapes of carpenter’s tools, canes or chalices. (Umm…I wonder what these will actually look like?)
- Wine—recalls both the miracle at Cana and, with bread, the Last Supper
- Pineapples—symbolize hospitality
- Red clothing— symbolizes charity and strength
- Blessed fava beans—once considered cattle feed, fava beans survived the Sicilian drought and saved the people from starvation. It is believed that if these beans are carried in a coin purse or kept in a pantry all year, one is never without resources (I think these are sort of like butter beans? Butter beans!)
- A communal meal and distribution or collection of food & alms—continues the tradition of celebrating God’s gifts and sharing resources with the poor (this is my favorite part and we always have our 40 cans for Lent so…perfect!)
Did You Know?
The Franciscans and the Poor Clares, started by St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare of Assisi in the 13th century, were both profoundly devoted to the Most Blessed Sacrament. St. Clare, the first female disciple of St. Francis, founded the community originally known as the Poor Ladies of Assisi in the monastery of San Damiano. The Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration are a branch of the Poor Clares of France who follow the Franciscan traditions begun by St. Clare. They are a group of cloistered nuns dedicated to perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The Poor Clares in Alabama were started by Mother Angelica in 1962. 800 years of Adoration! All the way from 13th century Italy to 20th century Alabama.
