New Jubilee Year Can Help Us Form Ourselves on the Model of Christ
January 26, 2026
By Bishop David J. Malloy
This column recently noted that we celebrate this year, as citizens of the United States, the Semiquincentennial (250th) anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
But as a universal church, we have something else to celebrate in 2026 which will hopefully compel Catholics to reflect on the principles, not of a nation, but those that God calls His followers to live out.
Recently, the Vatican’s Apostolic Penitentiary, the office tasked with matters relating to dispensations, the granting of forgiveness and the internal forum of conscience, announced another celebration to be observed in 2026. Urged by Pope Leo, it declared a Special Jubilee Year to mark the Octocentennial or 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi which occurred on Oct. 3, 1226.
The Church’s veneration of any saint is a reminder of our connection that endures with the holy men, women and children who have faithfully gone before us. Having lived through their own life story and responded with a life of prayer and fidelity to Christ, they have gained their heavenly reward. Even as they await the final fulfillment of the world and their own union of soul and body in the resurrection, they still know us and pray for our own lives of faith.
At the same time, they give us courage and good example by the recounting of the stories of their lives. While some saints achieve a strong local following where they lived or died, the celebration of the conclusion of St. Francis’ life gives witness to the familiarity and resonance of his life that has spread throughout the world and has endured to our own day.
Pope Leo described Francis’ example and legacy as being “strong in faith, steadfast in hope and ardent in active charity towards his neighbor.” The Apostolic Penitentiary goes even further in highlighting the relevance of St. Francis even eight centuries after his death, stating, “Our time is not very different from that in which Francis lived, and precisely in the light of this, his teaching is perhaps even more valid and understandable today. When Christian charity languishes, ignorance spreads like immorality, and those who exalt concord among peoples do so more out of selfishness than out of a sincere Christian spirit; when the virtual takes over the real, disagreements and social violence are part of everyday life, and peace becomes more insecure and distant every day, this Year of St. Francis spurs all of us, each according to our possibilities, to imitate the poor man of Assisi, to form ourselves as far as possible on the model of Christ.”
Francis was known for his embrace of poverty instead of the earthly wealth of his family. He lived a love for Jesus and especially for the poor. He was unwavering in faith and found God in all creation as reflected in his Canticle of the Sun. Prior to his death he was blessed with the stigmata joining him even more closely to Christ.
Of course, he drew others around him who shared his calling and faith, and various branches of the Franciscan family exist even today.
Here in the Diocese of Rockford we are blessed by the prayers of the Poor Clare Sisters in Corpus Christi Monastery, daughters of St. Clare, his most visible women followers. How blest we are with this element of Francis’ legacy.
In this Jubilee Year, just as in last year’s Jubilee Year of Hope, the possibility of a plenary indulgence is given to us. Because of the Poor Clare’s link to Francis, during 2026 one can obtain that full remission of the temporal punishments of sin by a pilgrimage to Corpus Christ Monastery, joined to the usual conditions for such an indulgence: the reception of Eucharistic Communion, and the sacrament of confession and prayers for the intention of the Holy Father.
May St. Francis of Assisi assist us with his prayers and his example as we confront the challenges and the joy of our own time, in many ways so similar to his own.
David Zarembski Ordained a Deacon!
On October 6, 2012, David Zarembski knelt in front of Bishop David Malloy in the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rockford, IL. and was ordained a Deacon in the Catholic Church. It was a wonderful experience to witness. As a Deacon, David Zarembski has been assigned to serve the Deaf Apostolate! He will be assisting Msgr. Nelson in meeting the Sacramental and Spiritual needs of the Catholic Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community of the Diocese of Rockford. He can preach at Sunday Mass, assist in Sacramental preparation, visit the sick, lead Bible Studies, Baptize, or witness Weddings. As a Deacon he CANNOT hear confessions, annoint the sick or celebrate Mass... this is only done by a Pope, Bishop or Priest. We congratulate Deacon Dave, his wife, Beth Ann, and his whole family on this wonderful occaision. Thank you Dave for answering God's call to serve the Church! We will pray for you as you begin this new ministry and may God bless you!
Sue Gudenkauf became a Consecrated Virgin!
It is with great joy that we receive the news that Bishop Morlino, the bishop of the Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin, has accepted the petition of Sue Gudenkauf to become a Consecrated Virgin. The custom of consecrating women to a life of virginity has been around since the beginning of the early Church. "Those who consecrate their chastity under the insipiration of the Holy Spirit do so for the sake of more fervent love of Christ and of greater freedom in the service of their brothers and sisters." (Rite of Consecration to a Life of Viriginty) Sue was consecrated on December 11, 2011 in Madison Wisconsin. We thank her for her committment to Christ and to His Church and we pray for her and wish her all the best as she becomes a Bride of Christ!
A Letter to the Editor of Northwest Herald, Crystal Lake Newspaper
October, 11, 2011
Wonderful Gift
To the Editor:
We are writing to bring your attention to the efforts fo a wonderful member of our community - County Board member Mary Donner.
At 9 a.m. Mass in St. Thomas Church each Sunday, Mary donates her sign language skills to those who need help interpreting the Mass. This is where we met Mary more than five years ago.
Our daughter, Leah, has a number of communication challenges, and when Mary signs the Mass, Leah understands so much more. As Mary signs the priest's words, Leah is engaged, attentive and really loves attending church.
Mary has a wonderful gift in being able to bridge the gap between the spoken Mass and those who need sign language to understand. We feel it is important to recognize and thank Mary Donner for her contribution to our congregation and to our family's participation in the Mass.
Michael and Mary Fisher
Crystal Lake
Saturday, May 21, 2011, Deacon Christopher Klusman was ordained into the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee at St. John Cathedral by Archbishop Jerome Listecki. Monsignor Nelson had the special honor of concelebrating and interpreting the ordination Mass. Newly-ordained Father Klusman celebrated his first Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, May 22, 2011, at St. Matthias Catholic Church in Milwaukee. Many of you know Fr. Klusman in our Rockford Deaf Apostolate family and many people went to his first Mass. Mass.
Fr. Klusman has been assigned to St. Roman Parish, 1710 W. Bolivar Avenue in Milwaukee on a half-time basis beginning June 21, 2011. Fr. Klusman attended Neeskara Elementary and Sholes Middle School, St. Thomas More High School and University of Wisconsin-Madison before entering St. Francis de Sales Seminary.
Fr. Klusman has a special gift from God in serving as a priest and we thank God for giving us Fr. Klusman....Congratulations!
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