Pope Leo XIV has decreed that a jubilee year be observed from Jan. 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027, commemorating the 800-year anniversary of the il Poverello (“little poor one”) from Assisi, Saint Francis.
The recent Apostolic Penitentiary Decree announcing the jubilee holds Saint Francis as an example for our own age, stating: “Francis, who, from the son of a rich merchant, became poor and humble, true alter Christus on earth, providing the world with tangible examples of evangelical life and a real image of Christian perfection.” The Holy Father desires that the hope we developed during the past year be “transformed into zeal and fervour of active charity.”
Saint Francis is perhaps the most popular saint in the Church’s list of saints – popular even among non-Catholics and non-Christians. He is so popular that in 1980, Marvel Comics created a comic book version of his life – a complete biography, according to the cover. I must confess, this is the only complete biography of his life I ever read (I didn’t just look at the colorful pictures). I have since read many other accounts of Francis’ life and adventures, but it is the comic book that truly captured my imagination, leading to impressions I still recall and reflect upon today.
The illustration captured vividly Francis praying before the crucifix in San Damiano, hearing the voice of Jesus: “Francis, go and repair my Church.” Saint Francis took this literally and began to physically repair the church structure. He had some mishaps gathering funds, but eventually got it worked out and began to gather others around him who followed Francis’ evangelical spirit. In 1210 AD, Francis went to Rome to seek permission from Pope Innocent III to begin a new way of life. Pope Innocent had a dream of Saint Francis propping up the Lateran, depicted in the comic as Francis as large as the basilica hugging it.
Here we discover the meaning of “Go and repair my Church.” It is not a building, but the living stones of the baptized (cf. 1 Peter 2:4-7) who need repair. Saint Francis helped inspire many to follow the evangelical counsels of poverty, obedience and chastity. People were inspired by his example to follow Jesus more closely, regardless of their state in life: clergy, religious, married, etc.
Another image is that of Saint Francis and Brother Illuminato being thrown before the Sultan. In 1215 AD, Pope Innocent called for another crusade. Saint Francis went, not to fight with the weapons of man but with sword of the Word of God. (cf. Hebrews 4:12) He desired to preach to the Saracens in Egypt, even if it meant suffering martyrdom. These two went forth into the Saracens’ territory calling for the Sultan, were captured and brought before him. Francis engaged in conversation about Jesus and the Gospel, and the Sultan responded with interest. Although the Sultan refused conversion, he treated Francis and Brother Illuminato with kindness and returned them to the camp of the crusaders.
This episode should inspire us to go forth and, with kindness, engage others with the message of Jesus and His Gospel. If we do so with the conviction, courage and kindness of Saint Francis, we will receive kindness in return. Such kindness can soften the hearts of others, leading them to treat others with greater respect – even when they, like the Sultan, turn down the invitation to follow Jesus.
The comic book illustration also captured powerfully Francis’ encounter with the Leper. The story is simple enough. Francis was walking along a road, and a leper happened to pass in the opposite direction. The leper begged for alms, and Francis tossed him some coins. Francis immediately realized that was not true charity. He then gave the leper all his money, hugged him and kissed him on the cheek! The face and hands of the leper were, as illustrated, full of foul wounds. It has been stated that Saint Francis smelled the man before he saw him. Saint Bonaventure is quoted as saying: I don’t know which is more impressive: that he gave away all his money or that he kissed the leper! (Saint Bonaventure may have made the comment regarding the miraculous healing of a man with a tumor on his face, which was kissed by Saint Francis.)
Saint Francis teaches us not only to be generous, but to truly embrace your neighbor, engage with them, as Pope Francis would say. Saint Francis embraced this outcast of society, embraced him as fellow human being, as a brother. It is easy to toss money to those in need, perhaps even to be extremely generous. It is a greater sacrifice, a greater act of charity, to take time, look those in need in the eye and walk with them in their time of trouble. Such acts of kindness allow others to know that they belong, they are not alone and they have a dignity that is priceless.
The entire comic book left so many colorful impressions of the life of Saint Francis, from his stripping before the bishop and giving his belongings back to his father, to his receiving the stigmata – which are still the substance of meditation and inspiration today. I encourage everyone to get to know Saint Francis, whether it is by written biography, film or even a comic book.
Truly, the words of Saint Paul are found vividly in Saint Francis: “I live, now not I; but Christ liveth in me. And that I live now in the flesh: I live in the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20) This will be true for those who follow the evangelical spirit of Saint Francis. It is these living stones that renew the Church in every age.
Father Jason Rocks is chancellor for the Diocese of Camden and pastor of Holy Eucharist Parish, Cherry Hill.
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