The icon of the “Queen of the Franciscan Family” visited the Clifton Diocese from 3rd July to 19th July 2026. The icon has been travelling throughout Europe since its creation by a Franciscan priest in Lithuania in 2018. The icon‘s pilgrimage to the UK coincides with a special Jubilee of 800 years since St Francis’s death, a worldwide Jubilee Year called by Pope XIV to last from 10th January to 2026 until 10th January 2027. The icon’s pilgrimage to the various Franciscan churches and communities included that of Clifton Diocese, arriving in Bristol on the 3rd July, coming from London and Gibraltar before that. It has been visiting churches, schools, chapels, private homes and religious communities bringing a message of peace and prayer. The local visitation began in Yate with the icon welcoming visitors for prayer and devotion. Visits to the housebound and the sick were included. The icon travelled onto Nailsea, to St Francis church, also St Francis Catholic Primary School in Nailsea. Following this, a visit St Joseph’s Church Portishead happened and then it arrived in Clevedon at the Franciscan Church of the Immaculate Conception and the Order of Friars Minor (OFM) who have served as an order here for over 100 years.
The icon was enthroned in the beautiful Lady Chapel and adorned with beautiful flowers by a talented team of flower arrangers. Each day a special Crown Rosary service was held after morning Mass as well as a weekly novena to Saint Anthony of Padua on the Tuesday evening. Many people came to the rosary each day and many came to pray in private. The icon was taken to Parishioners, some of whom were sick, and a special visit was arranged to stay overnight with members of the Carmelite Order. The icon also visited members of the Parish who are part of the Syro- Malabar community. On the final day of visitation, 19th of July, the Secular Franciscan Order (SFO) fraternity in Clevedon called a regional gathering to bid farewell and hand the icon over to representatives of the South Wales Secular Franciscans who would carry the icon to continue its pilgrimage among our Welsh sisters and brothers.
We gathered in the Lady Chapel and prayed the “Seven Joys of Mary” which is the traditional Franciscan Crown Rosary. Then the Icon was carried in a devotional procession through the church into Greyfriars Hall accompanied by singing a beautiful Marian hymn. There the icon was placed on a temporary altar, candles and flowers on each side. The meeting included a brief history and explanation of the icon’s symbolism and its place in Catholic/Orthodox devotion. Finally Father Eddie Highton OFM of Clevedon Franciscan community blessed the icon as we said goodbye and sang the Salve Regina.
This was a memorable visitation: a week or so of prayer and devotion. The life of Christ was visited many times in the mysteries of the holy Rosary. It was a time to stop and remember our loved ones, the sick and those we have lost. St Francis consecrated the Franciscan order to the Immaculate Queen of Heaven and the visit of the icon was the opportunity to renew that love for our Lady. She is the blessed mother and blessed is the fruit of her womb “Jesus “. To remember her words at the wedding feast at Cana “Do whatever he tells you.”
Patrick Tossell OFS – Fraternity Minister, Clevedon - Sunday 30th August 2026
