Events
Diocese of Bellary Embraces 'Laudato Si' Spirit in St. Francis Jubilee Year

Pothnal, Raichur: Mar 22, 2026

The Jubilee year of St Francis was inaugurated in the Diocese of Bellary on March 22nd on the Vth Sunday of Lent at St. Clara’s Parish, Pothnal with a Solemn Concelebrated Eucharist followed by Inter faith meet.

Pothnal is a large village in Manvi Taluk, Raichur district, Karnataka, located at 22 km from Manvi and 24 km from Sindhanur on State Highway 23.

Friars Minor (Capuchins) have been doing dedicated service to the poor and needy through education, faith formation and social upliftment in a number of villages in and around Pothnal since 1996. The social life of the local community has seen significant development.

In response to the proclamation of Jubilee year of St Francis by Pope Leo XIV, the Church of St. Francis, Jawalgera, Church of St. Clare, Pothnal of Raichur district Dharmodaya Ashram in Ballari City and La Verna Monastery in Hosapete, Vijayanagara district are declared as pilgrim centers to obtain plenary indulgence.

Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed this year from January 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027 as the Special Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi as it coincides with the 800th anniversary of the saint's death in 1226.

The Jubilee is an opportunity for the faithful to rekindle their faith, strengthen their relationship with God and with the community of the Church.

St Francis of Assisi was a great lover of the poor, nature and animals. therefore, this year is rightly called Jubilee Year of Poor and Ecology.

At the occasion Bishop Henry D Souza, the Bishop of Bellary encouraged the faithful to undertake pilgrimages in order to experience the grace of the Jubilee.

He also said that pilgrimages are to be linked, to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and to the celebration of the Holy Eucharist with a reflection on merciful acts particularly visiting bed ridden, sick and elderly people who are homebound.

Further, he said that this was an opportunity for deeper conversion, fraternity and care for creation in today’s world of conflict and injustice. Sarva Dharma Sammilana – an Inter - faith meet followed the Holy Eucharist. Prominent religious leaders of the locality Imam Maulana Shami of Pothnal, Swami Basavaraj Tata of Uchha Boodeshwar Mata, Pothnal and Mr. Venkanna Pastor graced the occasion.

Addressing the significant gathering occasion, Imam Maulana, Swami Basavaraj , of Pothnal, stated that our constitution provides freedom to practice any religion. They called upon everyone to shed religious bigotry and be heralds of peace and harmony as we are all children of one God and encouraged people to follow the path of truth while avoiding superstition.

Fr. Sathish Fernandes, Guardian of Clara Vihar, Pothnal was grateful to the Bishop of Bellary for declaring St. Clare Church as a pilgrimage center. Fr. Prashanth, Parish Priest, Fr. Sunil, Fr. Jason Roy OFM CAP and a large number of faithful witnessed the occasion.