Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a Year of Saint Francis, "in which
every faithful Christian, following the example of the Saint of Assisi, shall become a model of holiness of life and a constant witness of peace."

April 20, 2026

by Bishop Daniel E. Garcia

My Dear Brothers and Sisters:

As the Church commemorates the 800th anniversary of the passing of Saint Francis of Assisi, we are invited into a sacred moment of grace. In his care for the faithful, Pope Leo has granted a plenary indulgence through January 10, 2027, opening for the whole Church a path of renewal during this Year of Saint Francis.

In Saint Francis of Assisi, we encounter a soul transformed by the love of Christ: a man who embraced poverty with joy, who trusted God without reserve, and who became a living instrument of peace. His life calls to us to return to the graces of the Gospel and to allow our hearts to be converted anew. In a world often marked by division, this holy year calls us to become bearers of Christ’s peace, reconciliation, and mercy.

Through the Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary the faithful are invited to participate in the Year of Saint Francis by: making a pilgrimage to a Franciscan church or another place dedicated to or associated with Saint Francis, spending time in quiet, prayerful meditation before the Lord; and concluding with the Our Father, the Creed, and prayers invoking the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Francis, Saint Clare, and all the saints of the Franciscan family.

With our hearts detached from sin, the faithful may obtain a plenary indulgence by also praying for the intentions of the Holy Father and, within seven days, receiving sacramental confession and the Holy Eucharist.

In this local Church, I have designated the following parishes as pilgrimage sites:

• St. Francis of Assisi, Franklin
• St. Francis on the Brazos, Waco
• Cristo Rey, Austin, served by the Order of Friars Minor Conventual (OFM Conv.).

These sanctuaries stand as a visible sign of this sacred year inviting you to step away from the noise of the world and enter a deeper encounter with our Lord and Savior. I pray that we each accept this invitation to prayerfully undertake a pilgrimage whether personally or in community.

May this Year of Saint Francis renew in all of us a deeper love for Christ and his Church. May we learn, like Francis, to walk humbly with our God, to trust in his providence, and to become instruments through whom his peace flows into the world.

Sincerely in Christ,

Most Reverend Daniel E. Garcia

Bishop of Austin

Spring Planting Guide for OLOTR Cemetery Spaces

At Our Lady of the Rosary Cemetery, we encourage plantings that are native or well adapted to our Central Texas climate, require little water, and are generally more resistant to deer and rabbit browsing. Because the cemetery is xeriscaped, we use and recommend organic gardening methods that work in harmony with the natural beauty of the land. Hoses marked with blue reflectors are available throughout the property to help families water their gardens.

Please keep these guidelines in mind

• We recommend plants that mature at 24 inches tall or less, so the monument remains clearly visible.
• Please choose plants that will remain neatly within your space and not spread into neighboring spaces. In a standard 4-ft-wide plot, a plant placed in the center should mature no wider than about 3.5 feet.
• Do not plant trees or large bushes. Always check the plant tag for mature height and width.
• Protect new plantings early. Reapply gentle repellents as needed.
• If one plant struggles, try a tougher replacement.

About roses

We love and encourage roses as a lovely planting choice for cemetery spaces. Roses are best planted in the fall so they can establish strong roots before the Texas summer heat. Families are welcome to plant one small rose bush in a space and allow grass to grow around the remainder of the space. Once established, mulch is not necessary, and our caregivers will trim the grass around the rose bush.

Suggested plants selected from “Native and Adapted Landscape Plants: an Earthwise Guide for Central Texas”

Full sun (6+ hrs)

Salvia varieties

Sage varieties

Artemesia

Black Dalea

Bulbine

Copper Canyon Daisy

Blackfoot Daisy

Damianita

Bearded Iris

Rosemary

Society garlic

Lantana

Black-eyed Susan

Gulf muhly (ornamental grass)

Drift Rose varieties

Dwarf Knock Out Rose

Sun / part shade

Turk’s cap

Coreopsis

Cuphea

Purple coneflower

Yarrow

Rock rose / Pavonia

Skullcap

Gregg’s mistflower

Gaura

Calylophus

Golden Groundsel

Four-Nerve Daisy

Texas Betony

Zexmenia

Leadwort Plumbago (groundcover)

Shade // bright shade

Lamb’s ear

Dwarf plumbago

Columbine (seasonal)

Ferns

Oregano (in brighter shade)

Horseherb (shade groundcover)

Shrimp plant

Need help? During 4th Saturday Garden & Gather events, our caregivers are available from 9:00–11:00 am to help families plant and tend their spaces. For more information, please email Sophia.Buchanan@olotr.com.