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Eight centuries after the death of St. Francis of Assisi, �鶹ӳ�� will commemorate his life, legacy and enduring call to compassion during Francis Week 2026, Sept. 28 through Oct. 4.

This year’s celebration takes on special significance as Franciscans and Franciscan communities around the world observe the 800th anniversary of St. Francis's death in 1226. At �鶹ӳ��, the milestone will provide a backdrop for a week devoted to values at the heart of the Franciscan tradition — compassion, service, peace, care for creation and solidarity with people on the margins.

The university’s School of Business and BonaResponds are co-sponsoring the week with University Ministries.

Among the week’s featured guests will be Fr. Gregory Boyle, SJ, founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, the largest gang-intervention, rehabilitation and re-entry program in the world.

Each year, more than 10,000 former gang members from across LA are welcomed into a community centered on mutual kinship and love and offered a wide range of services, from tattoo removal to anger management and parenting classes.

“Fr. Greg Boyle and Homeboy Industries embody a conviction at the heart of our Franciscan mission at �鶹ӳ��: the inherent dignity of every person. Their commitment to kinship, belonging and accompaniment reminds us that our mission calls us not simply to speak about compassion, but to live it,” said Fr. Stephen Mimnaugh, O.F.M., vice president for Franciscan Mission at �鶹ӳ��.

Homeboy Industries also employs more than 180 men and women through a strategic 18-month program that focuses on healing from trauma as much as developing work-readiness skills. Its goal is to help people heal so they can contribute fully to their families and communities, with an emphasis on reducing recidivism and substance abuse, strengthening social connections and housing stability, and reuniting families.

Fr. Greg will share two presentations on Wednesday, Sept. 30. He will speak with School of Business students, faculty and staff from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the Doyle Conference Center. The campus community is invited to attend. Fr. Greg will also deliver a public presentation at 7 p.m. in the Reilly Center Arena.

Franciscan Impact Day moves into Francis Week
Another significant part of this year’s celebration will be on Thursday, Oct. 1, the new name and date for the Franciscan Center for Social Concern’s annual Day of Giving.

The change was made to more closely align the giving day with �鶹ӳ��’s Franciscan mission and the university’s annual celebration of Francis Week.

Franciscan Impact Day is vital to the ongoing success of the FCSC’s outreach programs: Bona Buddies, the Warming House, Silver Wolves/Friends with Sisters, the SBU Food Pantry and Break the Bubble.

Also on Oct. 1, the annual Blessing of the Animals will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on the patio of the McGinley-Carney Center for Franciscan Ministry.

Musical tribute born from BonaResponds service

The connections that can grow from service will take center stage Friday, Oct. 2, when Earl Galloway and Willie Ming, Southern Gospel artists known as Earl & Willie, perform on campus.

Their visit to �鶹ӳ�� is a special tribute to the kindness they experienced from BonaResponds volunteers during a Hurricane Milton relief trip to Lakeland, Florida.

Earl and Willie will share their music during a noon performance and picnic on the McGinley-Carney Center patio, followed by another performance at 4 p.m. on the patio.

Friday will also offer additional opportunities for service and dialogue. A blood drive will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Francis Hall multipurpose room. The Friday Forum at 12:30 p.m. in Swan 101 will feature Jim Helms discussing “The Intersection of Rural Healthcare & Finance.” Helms, ’95, ’18, is chief executive officer of Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville and a member of the university’s Board of Trustees.

A week of celebration and service
Francis Week begins Monday, Sept. 28, with Lady Jacoba Cookies from 8 to 10:30 a.m. on the McGinley-Carney Center patio. Other Monday activities include sidewalk art by student Aiden Mikolaczyk and a School of Business presentation by Steve Foreman from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Walsh Auditorium.

Students will also have opportunities throughout the week to participate in an outdoor scavenger hunt, with Bose speakers offered as prizes, as well as Francis Week T-shirt giveaways.

On Saturday, Oct. 3, service continues with two BonaResponds projects at 11 a.m. in Swan 101, packaging hygiene projects and winter apparel.

Saturday evening will hold particular meaning during this 800th anniversary year. The university community will gather at 7 p.m. in the University Chapel, Doyle Hall, for Transitus, the traditional Franciscan service commemorating the passage of St. Francis from earthly life into eternal life.

Francis Week culminates Sunday, Oct. 4, on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Masses will be celebrated at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. in the University Chapel, with a Feast of St. Francis Dinner at 5 p.m. in Hickey Dining Hall.

Daily Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. in the University Chapel throughout the week.

In this 800th anniversary year, the university community is invited not only to remember the life and death of St. Francis, but to consider how his example can continue to shape the way people live, serve and care for one another eight centuries later.

Updates to the campus community will be posted on the Notice Board.