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St Francis of Assisi's Portiuncula indulgence available August 1-2
Photo by Diego Romeo on Unsplash
The Little Portion, the Great Promise
This weekend marks the anniversary of the consecration of a small chapel near Assisi, Italy — a place that shaped the soul of St. Francis and his future Order.
In the 1200s, after repairing the chapels of San Damiano and San Pietro della Spina, Francis became captivated by a humble sanctuary nearby: the Portiuncula — the little portion. Its formal name, Our Lady of the Angels, delighted him. Its poverty mirrored his charism. Its location, nestled beside the quarantined hospital where he tended lepers, made it a living icon of mercy.
It was here that Francis recognized his vocation to preach the Gospel. He made the Portiuncula his Order headquarters. Yet he refused to accept its ownership as a gift from the Benedictines. Instead, every year he paid “rent” with a basket of fish, ensuring his friars could build nearby huts with no ownership. One night, Francis awoke with a powerful impulse to pray inside the chapel. As he knelt, Our Lord and Our Lady appeared to him and asked what he desired.
Aware of his sinfulness, Francis replied: “O God, although I am a great sinner, I beseech You to grant a full pardon of all sins to all who, having repented and confessed their sins, shall visit this church.”
Our Lord answered: “Francis, you ask much, but you are worthy of greater things, and greater things you shall have.”
From this request came the Portiuncula Indulgence, a grace granted by Pope Honorius III — a gift of mercy flowing from a little chapel that became a great doorway of forgiveness.
Today, we can receive this full pardon. We must be free from every sin including venial sin. All punishment is remitted for the indulgee or may be given to a soul in Purgatory. If there is any attachment to sin in the person, the Indulgence becomes partial. The Indulgence may be gained in any parish church on August 1-2. The person wishing to gain the Indulgence must fulfill the following requirements:
a. Pray to obtain the Indulgence
b. Be detached from all sin
c. While in church pray the Apostle’s Creed and another prayer of choice
d. Pray for the intentions of the Pope: Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be
e. Receive the Sacraments of penance and the Eucharist.
Papal approvals. At first, only those visiting the Portiuncula chapel between noon of 1 August and sunset on 2 August were eligible.
- Pope Sixtus IV extended it to all churches of the first and second orders of Saint Francis for Franciscans
- Pope Gregory XV extended it to all the faithful, who, after confession and the reception of Holy Communion, visited such churches on the appointed day.
- Pope Gregory granted the same privilege to all the churches of the Capuchins.
- Pope Urban VIII granted it for ALL churches of the regular 3rd Order in 1643
- Pope Clement X for all churches of the Conventuals in 1670.
- Later popes extended the privilege to all churches, provided that there was no Franciscan church in the district
Indefinitely, this privilege was renewed by a decree of the S. Cong. of Indul., 26 March 1911. An Indulgence may be gained for each visit to church and applied to the Holy Souls in purgatory. Thank you, St Francis, for this unselfish opportunity. We look forward to hugging you in heaven someday, God-willing.
Portiuncula Chapel Prayer
Teach me prudence and joy so true; to love the poor and walk with You.
Lord make my heart Your resting place, as chapel stones that felt Your Grace.
O Lady of Angels. mantle my days; guide my steps and lift my praise.
Where fear lingers, let faith remain; share your courage from sorrow & pain.
As Christ, You spoke in chapel air, grant me pardon as I kneel in prayer.
Lead me when my path steers wrong. Renew my soul in purest song.
O Portiuncula Spirit, calm my mind; make love & mercy my design.
Let every action show heaven’s light, a victory in Your perfect sight.
O Trinity of Love, keep me free, rooted deep in poverty.
And at my end, Lord, give me grace—to see Your Glory—Face to face.
Sources:
How to obtain Portiuncula Indulgence | franciscanpenancelibrary.com
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