ASSISI, Italy — Bishop Michael Martin was among a group of Franciscan friars who witnessed the historic exhumation of the relics of St. Francis of Assisi on Feb. 21. The saint’s remains were removed from their crypt in the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, Italy, to be displayed for public veneration in honor of the 800th anniversary of his death in 1226.
St. Francis of Assisi is a beloved Catholic saint known for radical humility, deep love for Christ and joyful poverty. Bishop Martin is a member of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, founded by St. Francis in the early 13th century and dedicated to living the Gospel as St. Francis modeled.
The Catholic Church has declared 2026 a jubilee Year of St. Francis, with special pilgrimages and celebrations in Assisi. Pilgrims will be able to venerate the saint’s remains in the basilica until March 22 – a rare and deeply revered event that is expected to draw thousands from around the world. For more about the jubilee year, go to www.charlottediocese.org.
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CHARLOTTE — Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte has been approved to continue to provide immigration legal services for another six years by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The “renewal of recognition” was approved by the department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review Recognition and Accreditation Program Jan. 20 and covers the agency and its authorized representatives.
“This renewal allows our Immigration Program to continue to represent clients in immigration proceedings, file forms and appear before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services,” explained Gerard Carter, executive director and CEO of Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte. “It allows us to advocate for clients who otherwise may lack access to legal services that they can afford.”