Special Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi
A reflection for each Sunday from Divine Worship Review Africa.
800 years of the Transitus of St. Francis · 1226–2026
“Embracing Simplicity, Promoting Peace: St. Francis, a Model for Nigeria”
November 1st, 2026
What does it take to become a saint? On 16 July 1228, barely two years after his death, Pope Gregory IX canonised St. Francis of Assisi. Francis embraced poverty and served lepers.
Fr. Kingsley Nze Read the reflection
October 25th, 2026
Fr. Kingsley Nze
St Francis of Assisi once feared lepers. In today’s Gospel, Jesus places before us the heart of Christian life: love God with all our being and our neighbour as ourselves. But how do we love when uncertainty surrounds us?
Read the reflectionOctober 18th, 2026
Fr. Kingsley Nze
Pope Benedict XVI recalls how St Francis of Assisi renounced his inheritance to follow Christ. Before the bishop of Assisi, he relinquished his father’s wealth, choosing to belong entirely to his heavenly Father.
Read the reflectionOctober 11th, 2026
Fr. Kingsley Nze
What would you do if a royal family invited you to a banquet? Would you gladly accept or find an excuse to stay away? Imagine our country, where so many of our brothers and sisters go to bed hungry, while someone rejects a freely offered feast.
Read the reflectionOctober 4th, 2026
Fr. Kingsley Nze
The Franciscan tradition tells a story about St Francis of Assisi and Lady Poverty. Francis understood that the danger is not possessing things, but allowing possessions to possess our hearts. He embraced Poverty as a “lady”
Read the reflectionSeptember 27th, 2026
Fr. Kingsley Nze
St Francis of Assisi once encountered a poor man dressed in simple, worn clothing while he was still living with the ambitions and comforts of his former life. Something moved within him. Francis removed his fine clothing and gave it to the man.
Read the reflectionSeptember 20th, 2026
Fr. Kingsley Nze
St Francis of Assisi once reminded his brothers that everything they possessed was a gift from God. For Francis, life was not something to possess or compare, but a gift to receive with gratitude. This beautifully echoes today’s Gospel.
Read the reflectionSeptember 13th, 2026
Fr. Kingsley Nze
St Francis of Assisi once met a man bitterly complaining about his master. The man believed he had been wronged and was so angry that he cursed him. Francis listened and gave him a surprising piece of advice: “Forgive your master for the love of God.”
Read the reflectionSeptember 6th, 2026
Fr. Kingsley Nze
Christianity does not permit us the luxury of indifference. We often say, “Mind your own business. Stay in your lane.” But the Word of God reminds us that, in the family of God, we are responsible for one another. God makes Ezekiel a watchman for Israel.
Read the reflectionSeptember 6th, 2026
Fr. Kingsley Nze
Many of our communities in Nigeria suffer flooding. We cry, “God, save us from flood!” But we must also ask: Who blocked the drainage? Who filled the gutters with plastic? Who cut down the trees?
Read the reflectionAugust 30th, 2026
Fr. Kingsley Nze
Some crosses do not look like crosses. They appear in ordinary life as difficult conversations, forgiveness offered when the heart is not ready, unnoticed sacrifices, or the quiet choice to defend the vulnerable when silence would be safer.
Read the reflectionAugust 16th, 2026
Fr. Kingsley Nze
In his Canticle of Creation, St. Francis of Assisi praised God for the sun, moon, earth, and all creatures, calling them brothers and sisters. For Francis, creation was not something to divide, but one family under one Creator.
Read the reflectionAugust 9th, 2026
Fr. Kingsley Nze
During the Fifth Crusade, St. Francis of Assisi crossed enemy lines to meet Sultan al-Kamil in Egypt. His companions warned him that he could be killed, but Francis went without weapons or protection, carrying only the courage of faith.
Read the reflectionAugust 2nd, 2026
Fr. Kingsley Nze
One day, St. Francis of Assisi was approached by a starving beggar asking for food. Francis had almost nothing, but he gladly shared the little bread he carried.
Read the reflectionJuly 26th, 2026
Fr. Kingsley Nze
One of the most moving moments in the life of Saint Francis of Assisi was when, after encountering Christ, he stood before the Bishop of Assisi, removed his expensive garments, renounced his inheritance, and embraced a life of poverty.
Read the reflectionJuly 19th, 2026
Fr. Kingsley Nze
A beautiful Franciscan tradition tells of the thieves of Monte Casale, who were harshly driven away from the friary because of their crimes.
Read the reflectionJuly 12th, 2026
Fr. Kingsley Nze
One of the lesser-known but deeply revealing habits of Saint Francis of Assisi was his care for neglected chapels.
Read the reflectionJuly 5th, 2026
Fr. Kingsley Nze
One winter day, Saint Francis of Assisi and his companion, Brother Leo, were walking through the cold, weary, and exhausted. Along the way, Francis explained to Brother Leo what he called “perfect joy.”
Read the reflectionJune 21st, 2026
Fr. Kingsley Nze
A popular story told about St. Francis of Assisi recounts that while travelling through a dark and dangerous forest, some of his companions became frightened by the uncertainty of the journey.
Read the reflectionJune 14th, 2026
Fr. Kingsley Nze
In the town of Gubbio, a fierce wolf terrorized the people. It attacked livestock and threatened human lives, causing fear and hostility throughout the community. Many believed that the only solution was to kill the animal. When St.
Read the reflectionJune 7th, 2026
Fr. Kingsley Nze
On this Solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Church celebrates the supreme gift Jesus Christ gives to us: His own Body and Blood. Christ comes to nourish us in the most humble and accessible way: as Bread. The life of St.
Read the reflectionMay 31st, 2026
Fr. Kingsley Nze
The readings of this Sunday draw us into the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity, the revelation of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In the first reading, God reveals Himself to Moses as “a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and rich in kindness.”
Read the reflectionMay 24th, 2026
Fr. Kingsley Nze
The readings of this Sunday draw us into the fire and transforming power of the Holy Spirit, who gives life to the Church. Pentecost is the decisive moment when fear is shattered and mission begins.
Read the reflectionMay 17th, 2026
Fr. Kingsley Nze
The Gospel of this Seventh Sunday of Easter places us within the sacred silence of Christ’s priestly prayer. Standing between the Ascension and Pentecost, the Church listens as Jesus entrusts His disciples to the Father: “Holy Father, keep them in your name.”
Read the reflectionMay 10th, 2026
Fr. Kingsley Nze
The readings of the Sixth Sunday of Easter invite us into the mystery of love that becomes obedience, witness, and mission. In the Gospel of John, Jesus declares: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
Read the reflectionMay 3rd, 2026
Fr. Kingsley Nze
On this Fifth Sunday of Easter, Jesus Christ speaks to troubled hearts: “Do not let your hearts be troubled... I am the way, the truth, and the life.” The life of St. Francis gives flesh to this message.
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