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Treasures of the Church- Holy Sites |
Portiuncula: in the basilica of our lady of the angels
by SCTJM
Portiuncula is a town and a parish situated
about three-quarters of a mile from Assisi. The
town has grown up around the basilica church of
Our Lady of the Angels. It was in this Basilica
that St. Francis of Assisi recognized his
vocation in the year 1208, and it was this town
where St. Francis spent most of his life. In
1211, St. Francis obtained a permanent foothold
in this town near Assisi, through the generosity
of the Benedictines, who gave them the little
chapel of St. Mary of the Angels or the
Portiuncula, is a “little portion” of land.
As St. Francis knelt in a small, broken down
chapel of St. Damien’s, he felt Christ speak to
him from the crucifix, which told him to
“Rebuild my church which is falling into ruins.”
He took this command literally and began to
rebuild various churches. It was only later that
St. Francis realized that the heart of Christ’s
message to him was to spiritually rebuild and
strengthen Christ’s church. He thus began to
repair St. Damien’s chapel where he received the
message, in addition to San Pietro della spina
and Our Lady of the Angels, the Portiuncula.
Adjoining the humble sanctuary of Portiuncula,
the first Franciscan convent was formed by the
erection of a few small huts or cells of straw
and mud, and enclosed by a hedge. This
settlement was the beginning of the Franciscan
Order. The Portiuncula was also where St.
Francis received the vows of St. Clare. St.
Francis died here on October 3, 1226, and on his
death-bed he recommended the chapel to the
faithful protection and care of his brothers.
Shortly after 1290, the chapel, which measured
only about twenty-two feet by thirteen and a
half, was greatly enlarged in order to
accommodate the many pilgrims that came to visit
there. Later, the buildings around the shrine
were taken down by order of Pius V (1566-72),
except the cell in which St. Francis had died,
and were replaced by a large basilica in
contemporary style. The new edifice was erected
over his cell and over the Portiuncula chapel.
The basilica now has three naves and a circle of
chapels extending along the entire length of the
aisles. The basilica forms a Latin cross 416
feet long by 210 feet wide. The altar piece in
the chapel is of the Annunciation, which was
painted by a priest in 1393. One can still visit
the cell in which St. Francis died. A little
behind the sacristy is the spot where the saint,
during a temptation, is said to have rolled in a
briar-bush, which was then changed into
thornless roses. During this same night of
August 2 the saint received the Portiuncula
Indulgence. There is a representation of the
reception of this Indulgence on the facade of
the Portiuncula chapel.
It is related that once, while Francis was
praying at the Portiuncula, Christ appeared to
him and offered him whatever favor he might
want. The salvation of souls was ever in St.
Francis’ prayers, and wishing to make his
beloved Portiuncula a sanctuary where many might
be saved, he begged a plenary Indulgence for all
who, having confessed their sins, should visit
the little chapel. Our Lord acceded to this
request on condition that the pope should ratify
the indulgence. St. Francis thereupon set out
for Perugia with one of his brothers to find
Honorius III. The latter, notwithstanding some
opposition from the Curia at such an unheard-of
favor, granted the Indulgence, restricting it,
however, to one day yearly. He subsequently
fixed August 2 as the day for gaining this
Indulgence, commonly known in Italy as il
perdono d'Assisi. Such is the traditional
account of the story.
The Catholic faithful may gain a plenary
indulgence on August 2 (the Portiuncula) or on
such other day as designated by the local
ordinary for the advantage of the faithful,
under the usual conditions (sacramental
Confession, Holy Communion, and prayer for the
intentions of the Supreme Pontiff), by devoutly
visiting the parish church, and there reciting
at least the Lord's Prayer and the Creed. The
Indulgence applies to the cathedral church of
the diocese, and to the co-cathedral church (if
there is one), even if they are not parochial,
and also to quasi-parochial churches. To gain
this, as any plenary indulgence, the faithful
must be free from any attachment to sin, even
venial sin. Where this entire detachment is
wanting, the indulgence is partial.
Sources
New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia, St. Francis:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06221a.htm.
New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia, Portiuncula:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12286a.htm.
This page is the work of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and
Mary
Copyright © 2006- SCTJM
