Eight hundred years after his passing into eternal life,
St. Francis remains one of the most beloved saints of all time. The artwork in
this year's calendar (2026) by artist Jen Norton depicts pivotal scenes from
the life of St. Francis and seeks to foster a renewed appreciation for the ways
he continues to inspire us today.
At the centre of the calendar, Christ speaks to Francis at
the church of San Damiano, calling him to rebuild the Church. The heart of
Catholic and Franciscan spirituality is attentive listening to the voice of
Christ and joyful pursuit of whatever he asks us to do. The corners of the
calendar give us further glimpses of the unfolding work of grace in Francis'
life as he follows the Lord's call. First, we see him forsake his father's
wealth to embrace a life of gospel poverty, which soon inspires others to join
him. Next, we see Francis developing a deepening love for Christ in the poor as
he embraces a leper and joins the beggars outside St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
Filled with joy for having found the fullness of his heart's desire in God
alone, Francis preaches the good news to all creation-bearing in his words and
in his own body the marks of his beloved Saviour. Finally, we see images of the
enduring legacy that this Poverello ("poor man") of Assisi unleashed
in the world by his response to Christ's invitation, and in which we are
invited to participate by our own yes to Christ.
The Year of Grace 2026 year follows the Sundays of Year A
and the weekdays of Year II of the liturgical cycle, beginning November 30,
2025 (First Sunday of Advent) and ending Saturday, November 28, 2026.
LTP's circular display of the liturgical year makes its key
features easily understandable. We can see at a glance the liturgical seasons
in their characteristic colours, Sundays on the outer rim, and the days and
weeks radiating from the centre.
Use Year of Grace 2026 calendar in many ways:
Give (or sell) one to every household in the parish and
school.
Hang one in every classroom, meeting room, and in the
church vestibule to teach about the liturgical year.
Assign students to report on specific liturgical days.
Present calendars to first communicants and Confirmation
candidates.
Available August 2025.
