The Feast of Portiuncula

August 2nd is the feast of Portiuncula. Saint Francis repaired three chapels. The third was popularly called the Portiuncula or the Little Portion, dedicated to Saint Mary of the Angels. It is now enclosed in a sanctuary at Assisi. The friars came to live at the Little Portion in early 1211. It became the “motherhouse” of the Franciscans. This is where Saint Clare came to the friars to make her vows during the night following Palm Sunday in 1212 and where death came to Francis in 1226.

The shrine is described as a replica of the little church, the "Portiuncula" or "little corner of the world" in Assisi where Saint Francis began to understand his vocation to follow the Gospel and give up all worldly goods, pray for and advocate peace, as well as take care of the poor and sick.

Because of the favors from God obtained at the Portiuncula, Saint Francis requested the Pope to grant remission of sins to all who came there. The privilege extends beyond the Portiuncula to others churches, especially held by Franciscans, throughout the world.

A plenary indulgence is a mighty tool for works of mercy and weapon in our ongoing spiritual warfare. A plenary indulgence is the remission, through the merits of Christ and the saints, through the Church, of all temporal punishment due to sin already forgiven.

To obtain the Portiuncula plenary indulgence, a person must visit the Chapel of Our Lady of the Angels at Assisi, or a Franciscan sanctuary, or one’s parish church, with the intention of honoring Our Lady of the Angels. Then perform the work of reciting the Creed and Our Father and pray for the Pope’s designated intentions. You should be free, at least intentionally, of attachment to venial and mortal sin, and truly repentant. Make your sacramental confession 8 days before or after. Participate at assist at Mass and receive Holy Communion 8 days before or after.

"The Portiuncula indulgence, given until the end of time, is the first plenary indulgence that was ever granted in the Church. There were indeed indulgences at all times, but they were only partial, and only a partial remission of the temporal punishments could be obtained by them. He who gains the Portiuncula indulgence is freed from all temporal punishments and becomes as pure as after Holy Baptism. This was also the reason why Pope Honorius was astonished when Saint Francis petitioned for the confirmation of this indulgence. Such an indulgence, up to that time, had been entirely unknown. It was only after he had come to the conviction that Jesus Christ himself wished it, that he granted the petition of the saint and confirmed the indulgence."

A plenary indulgence is available to anyone who will:
1. Receive sacramental confession (8 days before of after)
2. Receive the Holy Eucharist at Holy Mass on August 2nd
3. Enter a parish church and, with a contrite heart, pray the Our Father, the Apostles Creed and a prayer of his/her own choosing for the intentions of the Pope.

Saint Bonaventure reported that, "because of his reverence for the angels, and of his great love of the Mother of Christ, Saint Francis dedicated the Portiuncula to her." Saint Francis intended to honor Mary by rebuilding the little chapel. The Portiuncula remains an inspiration to everyone because it was a source of Saint Francis' adoration of God. It keeps his message of peace and love alive through the turmoil of today's world. In 1216, Jesus is said to have appeared to Saint Francis in a vision and granted Saint Francis' request that all who entered the Portiuncula be pardoned. The Portiuncula is one of the rare Holy Places in the world.