In honor of the Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi, Bishop Alberto Rojas celebrated two Masses at St. Anthony Church in Upland on February 15. The parish is one of ten designated Franciscan parishes in the diocese to which the faithful are encouraged to make a pilgrimage during the jubilee year.
“I think it’s another one of those beautiful opportunities for the whole Catholic Church around the world and beyond to come close to God through the inspiration of someone who even 800 years later, is a remarkable figure and continues to teach us,” Bishop Rojas said. “Not only teach us Catholic Christians, but Saint Francis also has a lot to teach the world. I think it’s wonderful that Pope Leo [XIV] decided to dedicate this year to Saint Francis.”
St. Anthony parish was selected as one of the ten Franciscan parishes of the diocese because its patron saint was, himself, a First Order Franciscan. The two Masses there, one celebrated in English and one in Spanish, were concelebrated by the parish pastor, Father Gerald Vidad. Before the English Mass began, Bishop Rojas blessed two new statues of St. Francis, which were then placed at the parish’s ambo. To add to the St. Francis Jubilee year festivities at the parish, the wall behind the altar was adorned with two large banners with the image of St. Francis surrounded by animals and nature, which provided a beautiful witness of his love for the ecology.
To begin the English Mass, there was a procession of various items that reflected the life of St. Francis, including, gifts of food that reflected his devotion to the poor and modeled a life of service, an olive tree seedling that represented peace and symbolized his deep care for creation, bricks and the San Damiano Cross that represented God’s call to St. Francis to rebuild His church.
During the homily, Bishop Rojas emphasized that the Jubilee Year of Saint Francis is the perfect time for not only Catholics but the whole world to view the saint as a role model to be instruments of peace.
“[God] let us pray this year with St. Francis, such a beautiful figure to have as a role model, not only for us Catholic Christians, but St. Francis of Assisi is a need for the world,” Bishop Rojas said placing an emphasis on the word, “need.” “When he says, ‘Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,’ in the canticle of St. Francis, by choosing water over fire, make us an instrument of your peace by choosing water over fire and by the wisdom of God over the wisdom of the world, over worldly pride.”
To conclude the English Mass, a parishioner dressed as St. Francis, donning a wig and a Franciscan robe, brought up a basket of pendants of St. Francis for Bishop Rojas to bless. The costumed St. Francis received a chuckle out of the bishop who remarked, “you make a very real St. Francis, you look good,” which drew an applause from the parishioners. The blessed pendants were then handed out to the children after Mass.