PALO, LEYTE.  The Archbishop of Palo officially designates five specific Franciscan churches and chapels within the Archdiocese of Palo as pilgrimage destinations for the Special Jubilee Year (2026–2027), establishing the spiritual framework and sacramental requirements for the faithful to obtain a Plenary Indulgence in honor of the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Archdiocese of Palo

DECREE

DESIGNATING PILGRIMAGE DESTINATIONS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PALO DURING THE SPECIAL JUBILEE YEAR TO COMMEMORATE THE EIGHT HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI

Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a special Jubilee Year from January 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027, to commemorate the eight hundredth anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi.

The Apostolic Penitentiary issued a decree granting the Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions which can also be applied in the form of suffrage for the souls in Purgatory. Besides offering the indulgence to all the Franciscan Families and anyone who observes the Rule of St. Francis, all the faithful without distinction can receive the indulgence “by visiting in the form of a pilgrimage any Franciscan conventual church, or place of worship anywhere in the world dedicated to St. Francis or connected to him for any reason, and there they will devoutly follow the Jubilee rites or spend at least a suitable period of time in pious meditation and will raise prayers to God so that, following the example of St. Francis, may sentiments of Christian charity towards one’s neighbor and authentic wishes for harmony and peace among peoples spring up in hearts, concluding with the Our Father, the Creed and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Francis of Assisi, St. Clare and all the saints of the Franciscan Family” (Eighth Centenary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, Apostolic Penitentiary Decree).

Therefore, I, the Most Rev. John F. Du, D.D., Archbishop of Palo, decree that the following Franciscan Families and Churches dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi are the pilgrimage destinations in this Archdiocese for this special Jubilee.

  1. St. Anthony of Padua Franciscan Novitiate House, Milagro, Ormoc City
  2. Franciscan Handmaids of the Lord Chapel, Mount La Verna, Libertad Palo, Leyte
  3. Clarisas Capuchinas Sacramentarias, Kabaon-an, Ormoc City
  4. St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Pastrana, Leyte
  5. St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Jugaban, Carigara, Leyte

The elderly, the sick and those who for serious reasons cannot leave home will also be able to obtain the plenary indulgence by spiritually joining the Jubilee celebrations and offering their prayers, pains, or sufferings to God.

Conditions for receiving the Indulgence (for oneself or for the deceased)

  • Sacramental confession to be in God’s grace.
  • Participation in Mass and Eucharistic Communion.
  • Visit in the form of a pilgrimage any Franciscan conventual church or place of worship dedicated to St. Francis anywhere in the world or designated by the local bishop.
  • Renews one’s profession of faith, through the recitation of the Creed.
  • Recite the Lord’s Prayer.
  • Pray for the intentions of the Holy Father.

Given on this 17th day of March 2026, Feast of St. Patrick, at the Archdiocesan Chancery and Pastoral Center, Brgy. Salvacion, 6501 Palo, Leyte, Philippines.

(SGD) + MOST REV. JOHN F. DU, DD
Archbishop of Palo

Attested by:

(SGD) REV. FR. GWEN LOVELINO E. PADAGDAG
Chancellor