YEAR OF ST. FRANCIS GALA
16th ANNUAL MASS & BENEFIT DINNER
NOVEMBER 1, 2026 – MASS 4:00 PM
Fr. Francesco Ielpo, OFM, Custos of the Holy Land, and the Franciscan Monastery friars cordially invite you to the 16th Annual Mass and Gala celebrating The Year of St. Francis of Assisi. Declared by Pope Leo XIV, this holy year marks the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’s “Transitus” (entrance into heaven) and offers a plenary indulgence to monastery pilgrims. The Gala unites our friars, benefactors, and everyone with a deep commitment to sustaining the Franciscan and Christian presence in the Holy Land while preserving this sacred corner of the Holy Land in America.
Arrive early to tour the verdant gardens or the upper and lower church. At 4:00 PM, Fr. Francesco Ielpo, OFM, will celebrate Sunday Mass for All Saints’ Day for Gala attendees. Our gifted vocalist and organist, Sophia & Paul Griffin, will aid our devotion with their inspiring talent and delight us again during dinner. After Mass, hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be enjoyed in the beautiful, cloistered garden —rarely open to the public. Next, we shall cross the street to St. Francis Hall for a delicious three-course meal. Our emcee, Dr. Matthew Bunson of EWTN News, will lead our program, which includes awarding the Grato Animo Medal to our new Apostolic Nuncio, the Most Reverend Gabriele Giordano Caccia. Towards the end of the program, we will draw the winner of our first-annual VIP pilgrimage raffle. We will wrap up the evening with after-dinner drinks and additional desserts.
NEW THIS YEAR: THE YEAR OF ST. FRANCIS VIP PILGRIMAGE RAFFLE
One of the charisms of the Holy Land Franciscans is to welcome pilgrims to the Holy Land but pilgrims has been few due to war. In a spirit of hope and a desire to share the land where God became man, we are holding our first ever VIP Pilgrimage Raffle, giving away two spots on a 2027/2028 VIP pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Leading this pilgrimage will be our Franciscan Monastery friars along with historian, Dr. Matthew Bunson of EWTN News.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU ATTEND THE DINNER – SEND YOUR GREETINGS TO THE CUSTOS, NUNCIO, OR WHOMEVER!
If you have any questions, please contact Sue Lohsen at sue@myfranciscan.com or 202-734-3880. You may also contact
our development team at events@myfranciscan.com.
