On Jan. 10, 2026, Pope Leo XIV declared the special Jubilee Year of St. Francis honoring the 800th anniversary of his death Oct. 3, 1226. Following this announcement, the faculty and staff at the Basilica School of St. Mary in Alexandria took the pope’s message to heart.
School Principal Robert Loia organized a faculty retreat to the Franciscan Monastery in Washington. Father Edward C. Hathaway, basilica rector, celebrated Mass for the faculty.
In early October, the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist led an interactive talk to the school community about the 10 steps of St. Francis’ conversion. They encouraged the students to ponder and pray about how their hearts can be changed like Francis.’
The school also honored St. Francis through the arts. At the beginning of the school year, every student, faculty and staff member was invited to trace their hand and decorate it. The hands were hung outside the school’s chapel to represent the commitment to help others. Students in each grade level created a selected scene from the life of St. Francis. Twelve students’ art designs were selected, and the images are displayed in chronological order for the community to appreciate in the school’s main hallway. The entire sixth grade performed a pageant called “The Life of St. Francis” written by staffer Meghan Campione.
Inspired by St. Francis’ devotion to animals, staffers collected photos of pets to display on a “Bless our Teachers’ Pets” bulletin board. In conjunction with the blessing of the pets at the basilica, the school display highlighted St. Francis’ commitment to all of God’s creation.
