As the Universal Church observes the special Year of St. Francis of Assisi, from January 10, 2026
to January 10, 2027, on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of his death, we invite the faithful and
all people of good will in Namibia to draw inspiration from the poor man of Assisi. His radical
devotion to God, love for creation, and commitment to the poor challenge us to renew our lives in
many ways. St Francis holds profound significance in the Church as a giant of holiness, the founder
of the Franciscan Order and one whose life embodied radical poverty, love for all creation and the
promotion of peace. His life reminds us that holiness is not found in extraordinary achievements,
but in simplicity, openness to God’s will and generous love for others. In a world marked by social
tension, economic challenges, and the allure of materialism, his life calls us back to the essentials:
living simply and trusting in God’s providence; hearing the call of Christ to rebuild His Church
from within, and caring for our common home. At the outset, we gratefully remember the services
rendered to the Church in Namibia and Africa at large by the Franciscans, whose relation with
Africa started with the arrival of the early members in Morocco in 1219.
Care for creation: St Francis, the patron saint of ecology, calls us to view nature as a sanctuary
rather than a resource to be exploited. Namibia’s vast and beautiful landscapes are a profound gift
from God, but living in a nation so deeply vulnerable to climate shifts, drought, and environmental
stress, we must hear the cry of Mother Earth and hence we urge all to be responsible stewards of
the land, protecting our natural heritage for future generations.
Witnesses of Peace: We are called to be ambassadors of peace by boldly proclaiming the dignity
of the human person and working for the protection of all human life. St Francis of Assisi
encourages all to see the beauty of life in all creation, and in particular, in the weakest and most
vulnerable among us. Therefore, we urge all, to reject the quiet temptations of division, tribalism,
and isolation, but to be instruments of God’s peace—where there is hatred, bringing love; where
there is injury, pardon. Let us be reconcilers in our communities, shun any gender based violence
or exploitation of the weak, foster dialogue, bridge cultural divides, and stand in solidarity with
those suffering from poverty, illness, or injustice.
Time for Conversion and Grace: The Jubilee Year invites each of us to turn again to the Lord,
seek conversion, and participate more fully in the life of the Church. St. Francis heard Christ’s call
in a deeply personal way: “Go, rebuild my Church.” He responded with trust and poverty of spirit,
and a burning zeal for the Lord. In doing so, he became an instrument of renewal for the Church.
That same call remains relevant today in the Namibian Church. We must remember that every
renewal begins with a renewed encounter with Jesus Christ. During the Year of St. Francis, every
faithful Christian, following the example of St Francis of Assisi, shall become a model of holiness
of life and a constant witness of peace.
This sacred year of grace is a time to experience God’s mercy in a particular way, by obtaining the
plenary indulgences from the “Treasury of Grace” of the Church, announced for the Jubilee year.
One of the conditions for it is to make a pilgrimage to a Franciscan centre or to a church dedicated
to St. Francis of Assisi.

Pilgrim Centres in Namibia. In Namibia, we have designated the following as the pilgrim sites
for the Jubilee year: 1) Monastery of Jesus, Mary and Joseph of the Poor Clair Sisters in Windhoek,
2) St. Francis Church, Tsumeb, 3) St. Francis Church in Blouberg, Omaheke, and 4) St. Francis
Church, Bukalo, Zambesi. A pilgrimage is a meaningful act of faith. It is a step away from routine
and an intentional journey toward the Lord, so that the Lord offers a renewal of hearts. And these
sanctuaries stand as a visible sign of this Sacred Year, inviting us to step away from the noise of
the world and enter a deep encounter with our Lord and Saviour.
The other conditions of obtaining a plenary indulgence remain the same: Sacramental confession
(in the eight days before or after), Eucharistic communion, praying for the intentions of the Holy
Father and concluding with the Our Father, the Creed, and invocations to Our Lady, St Francis,
St Clare and the saints of the Franciscan family. The elderly, the sick and those who take care of
them, and all those who are unable to leave their homes for serious reasons may also obtain a
Plenary Indulgence by uniting themselves spiritually to the jubilee celebrations of the Year of Saint
Francis, with the intent to fulfil the three usual conditions as soon as possible and by offering to the
Merciful God their prayers, the pains or sufferings of their lives.
And in order that this opportunity for the faithful to obtain divine grace through the power of the
“Keys of the Church,” we remind all priests, who have the appropriate faculties, to make themselves
available for the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, whenever needed.
Some Concrete Suggestions to Celebrate the Jubilee Year in Namibia.
An effective celebration of the Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi in Namibia should blend a
renewal of our spirits with the saint’s universal love for the environment. And so let us:
-Inform parishioners about the opportunity to obtain the special Plenary indulgence connected to
the Jubilee Year and encourage them to obtain for themselves and for the souls in purgatory;
-Emulate the “Little Poor Man” by organizing charity drives, so that our communities and parishes
remain sanctuaries of compassion for the poor and the needy;
-Host educational seminars focusing on the care of “Sister Water,” aligning with Namibia’s water
scarcity issues, sustainable use of land and respecting the nature, by not cutting down the trees;
-Organize tree-planting campaigns across parishes and make awareness sessions on the dangers of
deforestation matching St. Francis’s love for nature with Namibia’s environmental needs;
-Organize retreats on parish level, focusing on Franciscan spirituality, simplicity, etc.
As we journey through this Jubilee year, may the example and intercession of St Francis of Assisi
draw us closer to Jesus and renew the Church in Namibia. “Let every Christian, following the
example of St Francis, become a beacon of holiness, a true witness to the Gospel, and a messenger
of peace in the world,” (Pope Leo XIV). May this be a time to seek peace in your homes, to serve
those in need with compassion, and to live in simplicity, trusting in God’s providence.
Published in Windhoek on 14 September, 2026, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.