Marked By Love: St. Francis and the Mystery of the Cross

Father James Puglisi presents the  Franciscan Jubilee Triduum Retreat

September 14–17, 2026

“MARKED BY LOVE: FRANCIS AND THE MYSTERY OF THE CROSS”

Meals

• Breakfast: 7:30–9:00 AM
• Lunch: 12:00 PM
• Supper: 5:00 PM

DAY 1 — MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Theme: The Cross as the Tree of Life

3:00–4:00 PM

Arrival, Registration, Quiet Settling In

4:15 PM

Welcome & Orientation

• Introduction to the Jubilee Triduum
• Explanation of silence, prayer rhythm, and retreat intentions

5:00 PM

Supper

6:15 PM

Evening Prayer (Vespers)

• Psalm 96 or 98
• Philippians 2:6–11
• Antiphon: We adore you, O Christ…

7:00 PM

Conference I

“The Cross Revealed: Francis and the Wisdom of the Crucified”

• San Damiano Cross and conversion
• The Cross as divine humility
• The Cross as the life-pattern of discipleship

Eucharist (Day 1)

8:15 PM

Eucharistic Celebration

Mass of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

• Entrance with the San Damiano Cross
• Preface of the Holy Cross
• Homily: The Cross as the beginning of Francis’ conversion
• Brief silence after Communion before the Cross

9:15 PM

Holy Hour before the Cross

• Taizé chant: Jesus, Remember Me

9:45 PM

Great Silence

DAY 2 — TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

Theme: O Lady of the Atonement — Compassion as Transformation

Morning

7:30–9:00 AM

Breakfast

9:15 AM

Morning Prayer

• Candle lit before the Madonna of the Atonement
• Psalm 130 or 22
• John 19:25–27
• Antiphon: Behold your Mother

10:00 AM

Conference II

“Compassion, Conversion, and Atonement: 

Mary at the Cross and the Heart of Francis”

• Fiat and the foot of the Cross
• Atonement as listening and repair
• Franciscan mercy in parish and world

Midday Eucharist (Day 2)

11:15 AM

Eucharistic Celebration

Mass of Our Lady of Sorrows / Atonement

• Optional Stabat Mater
• Seven Sorrows candles
• Preface of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• Post-Communion: brief Litany of Unity

12:00 PM

Lunch

Afternoon

1:30–3:00 PM

Communal Reconciliation Service

• Penitential rite
• Individual confessions
• Communal act of commitment to repair

3:15 PM

Veneration of Our Lady of the Atonement (quiet)

Evening

5:00 PM

Supper

6:30 PM

Stations of the Cross (Franciscan form)

7:45 PM

Keeping Watch with the Mother

Quiet candlelit prayer before the Madonna of the Atonement

• Short Scripture verse
• Silence
• Marian refrain (optional)

9:00 PM

Silence

DAY 3 — WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

Day of Desire, Silence, and Preparation

Theme: Ascent to La Verna — The Burning Desire for God

Morning

7:30–9:00 AM

Breakfast

9:15 AM

Morning Prayer

• Psalm 63
• Celano: Francis’ longing for God

10:00 AM

Conference III

“The Mountain of God: Desire, Solitude, and the Fire of Love”

• La Verna
• Silence
• Desire as holiness’ engine

Midday Eucharist (Day 3)

11:15 AM

Eucharistic Celebration

Votive Mass of St. Francis

• Preface of St. Francis
• Quiet music
• Simple offertory with candles

12:00 PM

Lunch

Afternoon

1:00–4:00 PM

Extended Silence & Personal Prayer

• Nature
• Journaling
• Spiritual conversation available

Evening

5:00 PM

Supper (silence encouraged)

6:30 PM

Post-Communion Ritual (from Mass)

• Writing a prayer of desire on parchment

7:30 PM

Night Watch of La Verna

• Candlelit silent adoration
• Refrain: My God and My All

9:30 PM

Great Silence

DAY 4 — THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

Feast of the Stigmata of St. Francis

Theme: Marked by Christ — Love Made Visible

Morning

7:30–9:00 AM

Breakfast

9:15 AM

Morning Prayer

• Psalm 142
• Bonaventure on the Stigmata

Solemn Jubilee Eucharist

10:30 AM

SOLEMN MASS OF THE STIGMATA OF ST. FRANCIS

• San Damiano Cross in procession
• Incense and candlelight
• Hymn: The Cross of Love
• Veneration of the Cross of La Verna

Festive Conclusion

12:00 PM

Festive Lunch

1:30 PM

Canticle of the Creatures

Final Blessing & Sending Forth

________________________________________________________

Welcome to Holy Mountain Franciscan Retreat Center

Address for GPS: 40 Franciscan Way, Garrison (Philipstown), NY 10524
Enter Graymoor from Route 9, drive to the top of the mountain, and turn left into the large parking lot by the Welcome Center. Enter through the Graymoor sign and take the elevator to the Retreat Office (5th floor) to pick up your room key and back-door code. First Aid and Lost & Found are also located there.

Dining Room (5th floor) — open all day for water, tea, juice, and ice.

Wi-Fi: No password required.

Assistance: Security: 845-803-6068 | Emergency: 911

Facilities & Amenities

• Private rooms, shared bathrooms. Please bring soap, towels, and toiletries.
• Trail of Glory Art Exhibit: 3rd floor
• Snack & soda machines; Café refrigerators: 4th floor
• Book & Gift Center (4th floor): Wed–Sat 9 AM–5 PM; Sun 9 AM–3 PM
• Kitchenette, conference room & living room: 7th floor
• Labyrinth Prayer Walk: daily, next to Our Lady of Atonement Chapel
• “That Nothing Be Lost” Thrift Store: 16 Franciscan Way, Wed–Sun 9 AM–5 PM

Departure Instructions

• Place sheets in a pillowcase outside your door (leave comforter in room)
• Turn off lights and fans
• Place trash outside your door
• Bring water bottles and recyclables to the 7th-floor kitchenette
• Return keys to the basket outside the Retreat Office

Thank you for visiting the Holy Mountain!

www.HolyMountainRetreats.org