National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi, Roman Catholic church in San Francisco, California, United States
The National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi is a Gothic church in San Francisco featuring tall pointed arches and elegant twin towers. Inside, visitors find colorful stained-glass windows, murals by Luigi Brusatori depicting Saint Francis's life, a notable pipe organ from 1926, and relics of saints including Francis and Clare of Assisi.
The original church was founded to serve the growing Catholic community during the gold rush starting in 1849, first in a simple wooden building. After the 1906 earthquake, the sturdy brick walls survived but the interior burned, and the church was rebuilt and reopened in 1919.
The shrine honors Saint Francis of Assisi, a figure known for humility and caring for the poor. Visitors find themselves surrounded by murals depicting his life and images of saints that invite prayer and reflection.
The shrine opens daily from 10 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon, with a member of the Capuchin Franciscan community present to welcome visitors and assist with prayer or quiet reflection. Mass is held on Sundays at 10 in the morning and on weekdays at noon, with confession available from 11:30 before weekday Mass.
The shrine houses a replica of the Porziuncola, a small chapel built by Saint Francis in Italy, offering visitors a space for quiet contemplation. This replica connects the site to Francis's origins and allows pilgrims to engage with the healing and spiritual practices associated with that holy location.
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