St. Francis 800th anniversary celebrations

In late July 2026 the relics of St. Francis of Assisi were brought to Romania for the first time, sparking a national pilgrimage that began in Oradea and was scheduled to travel through 32 sites across eight dioceses, ending in Timișoara in mid‑October. The arrival was marked by joint Greek‑Catholic and Roman‑Catholic liturgies and drew thousands of faithful.

Within days, the commemoration broadened. A four‑day spiritual retreat was held at the Franciscan Monastery “Sfânta Treime” in Pârâul Rece, featuring liturgies, meditations and reflections on Franciscan virtues. Simultaneously, the Franciscan community on the Frauenberg in Fulda, Germany, organized a series of events—including high‑altitude services, lectures, walks and an animal‑blessing ceremony—highlighting themes of sustainability and care for creation. Both the Romanian and German programs were part of the wider Franciscan Jubilee marking 800 years since the saint’s death.