The Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi

“This Year of Saint Francis should encourage all of us, each according to his or her own possibilities, to imitate the Poor Man of Assisi.”

What message does his life offer to modern man?

“May the Lord give you peace.”

Franciscan Blessing

The eighth centenary of the happy passing of Saint Francis of Assisi from earthly life to his heavenly homeland (3 October 1226).

800th Anniversary

Turning Hope into Action

Pope Leo XIV encourages Catholics to look to St Francis of Assisi as an example of how to live with hope, kindness, and peace. He reminds us that the Jubilee Year is not only about remembering history but about putting our faith into action by helping others, building peace, and bringing people together in a world often affected by conflict and division.

A Special Jubilee Gift

To celebrate the 800th anniversary of St Francis, the Church has offered a special Plenary Indulgence until 10 January 2027. This gift is not a ‘spiritual shortcut’, but an invitation for an authentic encounter with God, to deepen our faith, and to continue our journey of conversion.

Key message

Like St Francis, we are called to bring hope, peace, and kindness to others through our words and actions.

What It Means for Us

Pope Leo reminds us that St. Francis continues to speak to our modern world—not through quick solutions, but through a life that points to the true source of peace. By taking part in Jubilee pilgrimages, prayer, and acts of charity, we can experience spiritual renewal and turn hope into action in our everyday lives.

Our Diocesan Pilgrimage

Bishop Greg Bennet invites the people of the Diocese of Sale to join a pilgrimage celebrating the Franciscan Jubilee Year. This pilgrimage is a sacred journey —not of distance, but of the heart. Benambra is set amidst the scenic Omeo High Plains. This pilgrimage takes us to the only church in the Diocese dedicated to St Francis of Assisi.

Join us on Saturday, October 3, 2026, for a very special pilgrimage celebrating the Jubilee of St. Francis of Assisi! We will be journeying from St Mary’s Bairnsdale to St. Francis of Assisi Church in Benambra and to conclude at Immaculate Conception, Omeo.

Join the Pilgrimage — Register Online

To help St Francis of Assisi Parish, Benambra, cater for hospitality (including our parish sausage sizzle) and prepare for the blessing of animals, please let us know you are coming by completing our short registration form.

Register for the Jubilee Pilgrimage →
 
Pilgrimage Plan

Parish Churches

St Mary's Bairnsdale
St Mary's Cnr Pyke St & Main St, Bairnsdale VIC 3875 Open in Google Maps
St Francis of Assisi Benambra
St Francis of Assisi McFarlane Rd, Benambra VIC 3900 Open in Google Maps
Immaculate Conception Omeo
Immaculate Conception 79 Day St, Omeo VIC 3898 Open in Google Maps

History of Benambra Church

The story of the Catholic faith here began not with stone and timber, but in the homes of pioneering families. Before any formal structure existed, Mass was celebrated on the property of the Pendergast family, who were so devoted that they eventually donated the land where the church stands today.

The first church was opened on dec 4th in 1881 when the area fell under the Sandhurst Diocese. By 1887, spiritual care for this alpine community became a shared effort between the Sale and Sandhurst Dioceses, until it was finally incorporated into the Diocese of Sale in 1910.

As the community grew, so did its landmarks. A second church, designed by the notable architect A.A. Fritsch, was built in 1929. That building served the faithful for four decades until the current church was constructed and subsequently blessed by Bishop Fox in December 1969.

Church Gallery

Jubilee Event Image 1 Jubilee Event Image 2 Benambra Church Front View
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