Today is the Feast Day of Our Lady of the Angels. Saint Francis heard Our Lord tell him to rebuild His Church. He repaired three chapels. The third was popularly called the Portiuncula or the Little Portion, dedicated to Our Lady of the Angels and 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 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 from God obtained at the Portiuncula, 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.
A plenary indulgence is a powerful 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. He who gains the Portiuncula indulgence is freed from all temporal punishments and becomes as pure as after Holy Baptism.
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.
The Portiuncula was a source of Saint Francis' adoration of God. His message of peace and love remain alive through the turmoil of today's world. In this gift, we see God pouring out His unfathomable Divine Mercy upon the world.
Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us and all the intentions in our hearts.
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