The second day of August is the Feast Day of Our Lady Queen of the Angels. The title refers to Mary's place of honor over the angels who serve as God's messengers and guardians. Mary is Queen of Heaven with her Son, Christ the King.
This feast dates back to before the days of Saint Francis. By the year 1045, there was a chapel in Assisi called Saint Mary of the Angels because it was believed angels had appeared there. By the time Saint Francis arrived in 1207, the church had fallen into disrepair.
Jesus appeared to Francis at the Church of San Damiano in Assisi and asked him to repair His church. Francis thought He meant the physical building and he immediately began to make repairs. Much later, Francis came to know that the Lord meant he was to repair the Church as the community of believers.
Saint Francis repaired three chapels. The third was popularly called the Portiuncula or the Little Portion, dedicated to Our Lady of the Angels. It is now enclosed in a sanctuary at Assisi. Francis and his friars came to live at the Little Portion in early 1211. It became the “motherhouse” of the Franciscans and where Saint Clare came to the friars to make her vows in 1212 and where Saint Francis died in 1226.
The shrine is described as a replica of the little church, the "Portiuncula" or "little corner of the world" in Assisi. This is where Saint Francis began to understand his vocation to follow the Gospel, give up all worldly goods, pray for and advocate peace, and care for the poor and sick.
Because of the favors obtained from God at the Portiuncula, Saint Francis asked 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. Through this gift, God pours out His unfathomable Divine Mercy upon the world. The Portiuncula became the place of adoration for Saint Francis. In the midst of the turmoil of today's world, his message of peace and love continues to remain alive.
Our Lady, Queen of the Angels, pray for us and all the intentions in our hearts.
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