Opening of the Franciscan Centenary in the Philippines

The Philippine Franciscan Family formally opened the celebration of the 800th anniversary of the Transitus (Easter) of St. Francis of Assisi (1226–2026) with a landmark ecclesial and cultural event held at the Santuario de San Antonio Parish Church in Forbes Park, Makati City.

The opening celebration, titled Frate Sole: On the Life of St. Francis, was jointly organized by the Italian Embassy in the Philippines and the Inter-Franciscan Ministers Conference of the Philippines (IFMCP), headed by Br. Lino Gregorio V. Redoblado, OFM, IFMCP Chairperson and Minister Provincial of the Franciscan Province of San Pedro Bautista.
The event formally launched the 8th Centenary of the Easter of St. Francis of Assisi through a solemn rite presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles John Brown, D.D., who led the liturgical celebration marking the beginning of the centenary year.
The opening message and pastoral reflections were delivered by Archbishop Gilbert A. Garcera, D.D., President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), who led a delegation of around 40 Filipino bishops in attendance.

The Italian Ambassador to the Philippines, Ambassador Davide Giglio, delivered the introduction of the event and formally presented the featured artist, underscoring the strong cultural and spiritual ties between Italy and the Philippines through the legacy of St. Francis of Assisi.
The highlight of the evening was the piano performance of Frate Sole — On the Life of St. Francis by renowned Italian pianist and composer Maestro Mario Mariani. Through original compositions, Mariani offered a contemplative musical journey into the life, conversion, and spirituality of the saint of Assisi, whose witness of peace, humility, fraternity, and care for creation continues to inspire the world eight centuries after his death.

The celebration was graciously hosted by the Santuario de San Antonio Parish Community, under the leadership of its Guardian, Br. Albert Marfil, OFM, Parish Priest Br. Mark Adame Bakari, OFM, and Ms. Pia Lim Castillo, President of the Parish Pastoral Council.
Also present at the opening were members of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) from different fraternities across the country, together with representatives of Franciscan Youth (YouFra), Young Franciscan Advocates, and a large gathering of devotees, friends, and lovers of St. Francis of Assisi.
The celebration was further graced by the presence of Franciscan Sisters from different congregations, highlighting the richness and diversity of Franciscan consecrated life in the Philippines.

Joining the celebration as well were the other Franciscan Ministers Provincial: Br. Edgar S. Martinez, OFMCap, Minister Provincial of the Capuchin Franciscans, and Br. Emmanuel Giva, OFMConv, Minister Provincial of the Conventual Franciscans—expressing the strong communion of the three Franciscan Orders in the country.
Church leaders emphasized that the Franciscan Centenary is being celebrated in close spiritual continuity with the Extraordinary Jubilee proclaimed by Pope Leo, which calls the whole Church to renewed conversion, reconciliation, and hope. The Centenary is seen as a providential extension of the Jubilee’s grace, inviting the faithful to walk the path of renewal in the footsteps of St. Francis.

In his closing remarks, Br. Lino Gregorio V. Redoblado, OFM invited the faithful to journey together throughout the centenary year in the spirit of St. Francis, renewing the Church’s commitment to peace, care for creation, and love for the poor.
The opening celebration marks the beginning of a year-long series of spiritual, pastoral, cultural, and social initiatives across the Philippines in commemoration of the Franciscan Centenary.
St. Francis of Assisi remains one of the most beloved figures in Christian history and is widely revered for his message of peace, humility, and universal fraternity.

The Franciscan Centenary celebrations will culminate in 2027 with major national and international events.