The Mission of the National Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi : Mass | Vespers | The Schola Cantorum | Reconciliation | Devotions | Concerts

A detail from a painting by Giovanni Cimabue, in the lower level of the Basilica at Assisi.

The National Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi in San Francisco

“Pax et Bonum!”

Our Mission

“Peace and All Good!” Saint Francis used this greeting as he met people along his way.

Many are drawn to this humble man because of his appreciation of creation, the window through which he first truly recognized God’s activity around him. This recognition, in turn, led him to live a radical poverty, in imitation of Christ. Of course, a lack of material resources does not, in itself, necessarily make a person holy; poverty of spirit (cf. Matthew 5:3), however, refers to a way of life that, in the words of Saint Leo the Great, “is not trapped by the love of temporal things and does not seek to be enriched by worldly wealth, but desires rather to grow rich in heavenly goods” (Sermo 95). And through this poverty, then, Francis understood the ultimate point about Christianity:

Above all the graces and all the gifts of the Holy Spirit which Christ grants to his friends, is the grace of overcoming oneself, and accepting willingly, out of love for Christ, all suffering, injury, discomfort and contempt; for in all other gifts of God we cannot glory, seeing they proceed not from ourselves but from God, according to the words of the Apostle, “What hast thou that thou hast not received from God? and if thou hast received it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it?” But in the cross of tribulation and affliction we may glory, because, as the Apostle says again, “I will not glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (The Little Flowers, VII).

In the end, Francis bore the marks of Our Lord’s passion in his own body.

And so it is the purpose of the Franciscan friars and the community of the NATIONAL SHRINE OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI to

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to offer spiritual nourishment, reconciliation and an encounter with God’s love to all people who enter our sanctuary of quiet and prayer;

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to provide a rich experience of the sacramental life of the Church for the faithful who come seeking grace;

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to reach out to communities of faith and social organizations throughout the nation by bringing them the insights of the Catholic Faith and Franciscan spirituality.

Come and enjoy the peaceful and reflective atmosphere of the National Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi in San Francisco which provides the opportunity for a deep encounter with God, with yourself, or with others who come to share the “journey” with you. Let the awe of such encounters lead you into the depths of your own being and the “peace and good” that resides there only through our LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Fr. Robert P. Cipriano,
Rector

The Mass

Worship at the Shrine reflects a reverent centering on God; the “noble simplicity” of the Roman Rite; continuity with tradition; fidelity to the Church; and a pastoral concern for the faithful that leads them to active participation in the liturgy.

Mass is celebrated at 12:15 PM daily in a very dignified, yet personal, setting.

Reconciliation

The opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) is available in the Church, but we do not have scheduled times for it. Please send an e-mail to us, or call 415/983-0405 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Why Confess?

“The new life received in Christian initiation has not abolished the frailty and weakness of human nature, nor the inclination to sin that tradition calls concupiscence, which remains in the baptized such that with the help of the grace of Christ they may prove themselves in the struggle of Christian life. This is the struggle of conversion directed toward holiness and eternal life to which the Lord never ceases to call us.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1426)

“Christ’s call to conversion continues to resound in the lives of Christians. This second conversion is an uninterrupted task for the whole Church who, ‘clasping sinners to her bosom, [is] at once holy and always in need of purification, [and] follows constantly the path of penance and renewal.’ . . . It is the movement of a ‘contrite heart,’ drawn and moved by grace to respond to the merciful love of God who loved us first.” (CCC, 1428)

“The movement of return to God, called conversion and repentance, entails sorrow for and abhorrence of sins committed, and the firm purpose of sinning no more in the future.” (CCC, 1490)

The Priest and Reconciliation

“When he celebrates the sacrament of Penance, the priest is fulfilling the ministry of the Good Shepherd who seeks the lost sheep, of the Good Samaritan who binds up wounds, of the Father who awaits the prodigal son and welcomes him on his return, and of the just and impartial judge whose judgment is both just and merciful. The priest is the sign and the instrument of God’s merciful love for the sinner.” (CCC, 1465)

“Given the delicacy and greatness of this ministry and the respect due to persons, the Church declares that every priest who hears confessions is bound under very severe penalties to keep absolute secrecy regarding the sins that his penitents have confessed to him. He can make no use of knowledge that confession gives him about penitents’ lives. This secret, which admits of no exceptions, is called the ‘sacramental seal,’ because what the penitent has made known to the priest remains ‘sealed’ by the sacrament.” (CCC, 1467)

What happens in the Sacrament of Reconciliation?

“Like all the sacraments, Penance is a liturgical action. The elements of the celebration are ordinarily these:

• a greeting and blessing from the priest, reading the word of God to illuminate the conscience and elicit contrition, and an exhortation to repentance;

• the confession, which acknowledges sins and makes them known to the priest;

• the imposition and acceptance of a penance;

• the priest’s absolution;

• a prayer of thanksgiving and praise and dismissal with the blessing of the priest.” (CCC, 1480, formatting added)

Marriage and Baptism

Because the NATIONAL SHRINE OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI is not a parish, marriages and baptisms are not usually celebrated at Saint Francis Church.

Between Man and Woman: Questions and Answers About Marriage and Same-Sex Unions
(From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, November 2003.)

Devotions

Rosary
MON through SAT at 11:30 AM

Angelus
MON through SAT at 12:00 NOON

The Chaplet of The Divine Mercy
MON through SAT at 3:00 PM

Exhibits

Exhibits of art and information relating to the figure of Saint Francis of Assisi, some aspect of his spirit and vision, or another aspect of the larger Franciscan charism from the 800 year tradition of the Order are scheduled periodically.

Lectures and Symposia

On the occasion of some of the major Franciscan celebrations throughout the year, lectures and symposia featuring well-known experts and scholars are presented by the National Shrine to the general public.