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An Invitation to Encounter a Relic of St. Francis
The Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe invites all to encounter a moment of profound grace and spiritual significance. For the first time in 800 years, a sacred relic and treasure from Assisi has traveled to the United States. The Bandage Relic of the Stigmata of Saint Francis of Assisi, a sacred 800-year old cloth stained with St. Francis’s blood, is currently on public display with other sacred relics at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco, CA.
At the end of November, the Franciscan Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe will escort the Bandage Relic on a pilgrimage of Franciscan locations across the country.
This first-of-its-kind American reliquary tour will invite the faithful to experience a tangible connection to St. Francis, who spent his life trying to draw close to Christ and emulate his compassion for all creation.
The tour of the Bandage Relic of the Stigmata of Saint Francis of Assisi will begin at the end of November. For a list of the Franciscan parishes that will host the sacred relic, please read “News from the Friars.” Precise dates have yet to be determined, so stay tuned to Franciscan Friars Charities for tour updates!
A Way to See Kindness and Faith in Action
The Franciscan Challenge, Franciscan Friars Charities’ flagship fundraising campaign, will launch its Winter 2026 campaign on November 24th with the first of six powerfully themed compilation videos featuring testimonials from Franciscan ministries in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Jamaica.
Those who receive the Challenge videos via email or social media will have the opportunity to see kindness and faith in action, and how gifts to the Franciscan Friars have meaningful, positive impacts in the lives of those who are: hungry, seeking safety and shelter, looking for kindness and glimmers of hope, willing to accept guidance and counseling, searching for ways to make ends meet, and in desperate need of non-judgmental love.
Funds raised by The Franciscan Challenge Winter 2026 Campaign will support all Franciscan ministries and the over 7.2 million women, children, and men who come to the friars for help each year. They will also help educate and prepare young friars for ministry and care for retired and elder friars, who have served so many for so long.
To see powerful testimonials from those who receive kindness, care, and accompaniment from the Franciscan Friars, take the Franciscan Challenge at https://challenge.franciscanfriarscharities.org.
To preview the raw emotion of the testimonials featured in the Winter 2026 Franciscan Challenge, please read “Franciscan Ministry: A Way to See Kindness and Faith in Action.”
