On August 2, the Franciscan family celebrates the dedication of the chapel of St. Mary of the Angels in Assisi.
Home base for Franciscans
Located down in the valley about two and half miles below the city of Assisi, this chapel, the beloved "Portiuncula" or "Little Portion," was restored by Francis in the first years of his conversion. It became the place where he and the first brothers made their home base about 1210. It is also where Francis received Clare into his movement a few years later and where he died in 1226. This shrine to Mary remains the spiritual “motherhouse” of the Order of Friars Minor.
In the interior of the chapel, the central scene on the wooden panel over the altar depicts the Annunciation, surrounded by the story of the granting of the Portiuncula Indulgence. In the top scene Francis kneels before Christ and Mary enthroned in heavenly glory. It was painted by Ilario of Viterbo in 1393.
The “Pardon of Assisi”
Francis desired that everyone experience the overwhelming love and mercy of God in this place just as he had, and so, according to tradition, in 1216 he persuaded Pope Honorius III to grant a plenary indulgence to all persons who visit this chapel, prayerful and repentant, on the feast of its dedication. On August 2, thousands of pilgrims converge here to receive the "Pardon of Assisi," as this indulgence is commonly called in Italy.
Today this plenary indulgence may be gained in any Franciscan church or chapel and in all parish churches throughout the world from noon on August 1 through midnight on August 2.
To shelter the vast throngs of pilgrims coming to Assisi, Pope Pius V ordered that a large basilica be built to enclose the small chapel of the Portiuncula. This was constructed in the Mannerist style between 1569 and 1679, and rebuilt after a severe earthquake in 1832. The facade was restored in the 1920s.
A message of “pardon and reconciliation”
Saint John Paul II once said the message of the Portiuncula Indulgence is one of “pardon and reconciliation, that is, of grace, which divine goodness pours out on us if we are well disposed because God is truly rich in mercy.”
Let us pray with Francis
Hail, O Lady,
Holy Queen,
Mary, holy Mother of God,
Who are the Virgin made Church,
chosen by the most Holy Father in heaven
whom he consecrated with His most holy beloved Son
and with the Holy Spirit the Paraclete,
in whom there was and is
all fullness of grace and every good.
Hail His Palace!
Hail His Tabernacle!
Hail His Dwelling!
Hail His Robe!
Hail His Servant!
Hail His Mother!
And hail all You holy virtues
which are poured into the hearts of the faithful
through the grace and enlightenment of the Holy Spirit,
that from being unbelievers,
You may make them faithful to God.
The statue of Mary crowning the basilica was added in 1930.
Learn more
You may wish to catch a live glimpse of the basilica at https://www.skylinewebcams.com/.../assisi-santa-maria....
You may also see Monday's events (including a video of the feast day Mass) at the Frati Minori Assisi Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/fratiminoriassisi.
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Main image: The Portiuncula chapel, dating back to the 9th century and rehabilitated by Saint Francis, is now enclosed within the great basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. The fresco on the exterior and the little spire were added to the simple stone chapel in the 19th century.