“More than words, it is this joy that evangelizes.” – Pope Leo XIV
What if St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi walked onto a college campus today?
They would recognize much of what young people are experiencing—the search for identity, loneliness hidden behind social media, anxiety about the future, division within society, and a deep longing for meaning and authentic relationships.
And perhaps the invitation would be the same one they offered more than 800 years ago:
Follow Christ. Live simply. Love generously. Build peace. Care for creation. Never lose hope.
That invitation is at the heart of Franciscan Month 2026.
Franciscan Month did not begin in a boardroom or emerge from a strategic plan. It grew from the dreams of young people who believed that the lives of Francis and Clare still have something extraordinary to say to today’s world.
They envisioned an October celebration open to everyone—not only Franciscans or Catholics, but people of every faith tradition and all people of goodwill. They imagined a month when faith could be lived, relationships strengthened, creation cherished, peace pursued, and service offered joyfully.
From that grassroots vision, Franciscan Month was born.
Launched in October 2023 at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, New York, the initiative has continued to grow. What began on a college campus is becoming a nationwide collaboration among Franciscan colleges and universities, parishes, retreat centers, religious communities, Secular Franciscans, ministries, schools, and Franciscan organizations.
And 2026 carries particular significance.
As the Church celebrates the Jubilee Year marking the 800th anniversary of the passing of St. Francis, Franciscan Month 2026 invites us not merely to remember history but to continue it. Francis and Clare did not seek comfort or recognition. They sought Christ. Their lives became a living Gospel rooted in humility, joy, reconciliation, courage, and love.
That same spirit shapes every day and week of Franciscan Month 2026. The journey invites participants to meet St. Francis and St. Clare in faith, open their hearts to God’s love, care for creation as our sacred home, live the Gospel through compassion, and embrace a life of purpose and service. These are more than weekly themes—they are a way of life.
One of the original student visionaries captured that spirit beautifully: “Franciscan Month is an incredible initiative! I love that it’s open to everyone, regardless of religion or background… Walking around campus in October, you can really feel the spiritual energy. Every part of it is a beautiful reminder of the importance of simplicity, unity, and justice.”
Another student’s comment points to the need for peace on earth: “The Peace Run, where the college community walks and prays for peace, has brought joy to the St. Francis College campus, as well as the Interfaith Appreciation Breakfast where people from different faith traditions gather in fellowship, prayer, and mutual respect. He describes that unity among people of different religions and beliefs as “a beautiful thing to witness and experience.”
This student’s reflection reveals something important. Young people are not simply asking to hear about Francis and Clare. They are looking for opportunities to live what they taught.
They are searching for community in a culture that can leave people isolated. They are seeking peace in a world filled with conflict. They want authentic relationships across religious and cultural differences. They want their lives to have meaning.Franciscan Month gives them a place to begin.
That youthful vision continues to shape the movement. Through franciscanmonth.org and its growing digital presence, the October journey offers reflections, videos, prayer, service opportunities, and resources that invite people to live the Gospel through the example of Francis and Clare—one day, one week, and one action at a time.
The growing enthusiasm for Franciscan Month 2026 was especially evident at the 21st Quinquennial Congress of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS-USA) in Lexington, Kentucky, where more than 500 Secular Franciscans gathered for prayer, fraternity, formation, and mission. Participants enthusiastically embraced Franciscan Month 2026 and its potential to introduce new generations to the Franciscan charism.
The Congress was also blessed by the presence of Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, who conveyed the Apostolic Blessing of Pope Leo XIV to those gathered.
What began as a dream in the hearts of young people is now being embraced across generations. Franciscan colleges and universities, the Secular Franciscan Order, religious communities, schools, retreat centers, ministries, and national Franciscan organizations are joining in a shared mission: to make the spirit of Francis and Clare visible and relevant to a new generation.
Pope Leo XIV offered young Franciscans a powerful challenge during his recent visit to Assisi. He called them to become “artisans of peace”, to resist division and prejudice, and to help build a “civilization of love.” He reminded them that following Christ means simplicity, fraternity, closeness to others, reconciliation, and joy.
Then he offered words that seem written for Franciscan Month 2026: “More than words, it is this joy that evangelizes.”Franciscan Month 2026 is not simply about honoring two remarkable saints from the past. It asks what might happen if we dared to live as they did today.
What if we became bridge builders instead of wall builders?
What if we cared for creation as God’s sacred gift?
What if we noticed the lonely, welcomed the forgotten, forgave one another, served generously, and became artisans of peace?
Eight hundred years after the passing of St. Francis, his witness—and the enduring witness of St. Clare—are still inspiring young hearts.
The success of Franciscan Month 2026 will not ultimately be measured by events, website visits, or social media posts. It will be measured by transformed lives—lives choosing peace over conflict, hope over fear, compassion over indifference, and love above all else.
Perhaps that is what Francis and Clare would ask of young people today.
And perhaps these young people are already answering.
Judi Painter, OSF
Franciscan Month Coordinator
franciscanmonth.org
