Ávila continues to add jubilee celebrations in the ecclesiastical sphere. To the Holy Year dedicated to Saint John of the Cross and the recently opened Jubilee in the Franciscan Conceptionists, a new Jubilee Year is now added, promoted by the Franciscan family on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the passing of Saint Francis of Assisi.
According to the Diocese of Ávila, the official opening in the diocesan sphere will take place on Sunday, February 15, at 12 noon with a solemn Eucharist in the Convent of San Antonio, presided over by Cardinal Archbishop Emeritus of Valladolid, Ricardo Blázquez. Although the Order inaugurated the jubilee on January 10, the Abulensian community has wanted to emphasize the celebration at the local level.
An Anniversary with a Spiritual Dimension
Juan Carlos Moya, guardian of the convent, has pointed out that this commemoration culminates several years of remembrance of the final moments of the life of the saint of Assisi. The passing—understood as the passage “from this world to the hands of the Father”—is considered the central moment of this commemorative itinerary.
From the Franciscan community, this Jubilee Year is presented as an action of thanks for the witness of Saint Francis and as an invitation to spiritual renewal. The guardian has highlighted that it is an opportunity to rediscover the Franciscan charism, centered on following the Gospel, fraternity, and humility.
The Order of Friars Minor, he recalled, finds its identity in those two terms: brothers and minors, as an expression of service and simplicity.
Activities Planned for 2026
Throughout 2026, a program of activities will be developed aimed at deepening the figure of Saint Francis and the Franciscan presence in the Diocese of Ávila.
Among the announced initiatives are a cycle of conferences on the founder and on figures linked to the Franciscan tradition in the city, such as Saint Peter of Alcántara and Saint Peter Baptist. Likewise, the convent will host an exhibition dedicated to the life of Saint Francis through the works of José Benlliure, belonging to the Franciscan province of the Immaculate.
The program will also include a march through significant Franciscan places in Ávila and various solidarity activities.
The Jubilee Year is presented as an occasion to remember the relevance of Saint Francis’s message eight centuries after his death, emphasizing values such as simplicity, fraternity, and care for the most needy.