THE
PORTIUNCOLA INDULGENCE
The
Portiuncola (PORZIONCULA, PORTIUNCULA, or PORZIUNCOLA)
According to a
legend, the existence of which can be traced
back with certainty only to 1645, the little
chapel of the Portiuncola was erected under Pope
Liberius (352-66) by hermits from the Valley of
Josaphat, who had brought thither relics from
the grave of the Blessed Virgin. The same legend
relates that the chapel passed into the
possession of St. Benedict in 516. It was known
as Our Lady of the Valley of Josaphat or of the
Angels -- the latter title referring, according
to some, to Our Lady's ascent into heaven
accompanied by angels on the Solemnity of the
Assumption. However, a better founded opinion
attributes the name to the singing of angels
which had been frequently heard there.
The Portiuncola today is a town and parish
situated about three-quarters of a mile from
Assisi. The town, numbering about 2000
inhabitants and officially known as Santa Maria
degli Angeli, has grown up around the basilica
of Our Lady of the Angels and the adjoining
Franciscan monastery.
In the early 1200's, when St. Francis was
repairing the small Portiuncola chapel, the
basilica which now encloses the chapel was
non-existent. The humble Portiuncola was
surrounded by the dense woods which covered the
plain of Assisi.
FRANCIS'S
CONNECTION WITH THE CHAPEL
Francis, who had previously repaired the
chapels of San Damiano and San Pietro della
Spina, was enraptured by the Portiuncola, a nick
name which means "the little portion." He
loved its formal name--Santa Maria degli Angeli
(Our Lady of the Angels), its poverty reflective
in its nick name, its isolation and silence, and
its proximity to the leper hospitals where he
tended the pitiable residents.
On February 24, 1208, the Feast of St.
Matthias, while hearing Mass at the Portiuncola,
St. Francis of
Assisi recognized his vocation in the day's
Gospel. Preach the Gospel. Take nothing
for the journey. Stay with those who are
worthy in the towns you visit.
Francis made the Portiuncola the headquarters
of his Order while refusing to accept ownership
of it from the Benedictines. Francis
settled on presenting the Benedictines a yearly
rent of a basket of fish, thereby feeling
comfortable about using the chapel and the huts
the friars built around it.
On October 3, 1226, after blessing his friars
and asking to be laid naked on the ground so as
to come to the Father in utter destitution,
Francis died at the Portiuncola after
recommending the
chapel to the
faithful protection and care of his brethren.
THE PORTIUNCOLA
INDULGENCE
The Portiuncola Indulgence is a special favor
granted by the Pope to St. Francis at his
request.
One night in 1216, Francis awoke and felt a
strong impulse to enter the chapel of the
Portiuncola and pray. While at prayer, Our
Lord and Our Lady appeared to Francis and asked
him what he desired. Thinking of others
and recognizing his own sinfulness, Francis
spoke. "0 God, although I m 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."
The Lord granted the Indulgence and Pope
Honorius III ratified it. Originally the
Indulgence was attached only to the Porticuncola.
However, subsequent Popes expanded the churches
in which the Indulgence can be gained.
THE PORTIUNCOLA
INDULGENCE TODAY
The Indulgence, if the person gaining
it is free from every sin including venial sin,
remits all the temporal punishment due to sin
and may be applied to the person himself or
herself or to a soul in Purgatory. If there is
any adherence to sin in the person gaining the
Indulgence, the Indulgence becomes partial.
The Indulgence may now be gained in any public
or semi-public oratory in the world beginning
from noon August 1 until midnight ending on
August 2 (that is, any church or chapel open to
the public). It cannot be gained in a private
chapel. The person wishing to gain the
Indulgence must fulfill the following
requirements:
a. Intend to gain the Indulgence
b. Be detached from all sin
c. While in the church pray one Our Father, one
Apostle's Creed, and one other prayer of the
individual's choice
d. Pray for the intentions of the Pope
(prayerfully saying an Our Father and a Hail
Mary will suffice although other prayers may be
said)
e. Receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and
Eucharist within one week either before or after
August 2.
May we all take advantage of the graces afforded
by this Indulgence.
Confraternity of Penitents
520 Oliphant Lane
Middletown RI USA
02842-4600
401/849-5421
bspenance@hotmail.com
copenitents@yahoo.com
