By Fr. Singarayar A. OFM –
The name Portiuncula, which means “Little Portion”, is derived from the transfer of a small piece of property owned by Benedictine Monks to St. Francis of Assisi in the year 1211. In that little portion there was a small church measuring about 5.5 by 3.2 meters in length and width. The little church of Portiuncula was called Our Lady of St. Mary of the Angels. This Portiuncula stands at the foot of the mountain on which the city, Assisi is situated. It’s about 4 km from Assisi, in Italy. According to a legend the little Portiuncula church was erected under Pope Liberius (352-366) by hermits from the Valley of Josaphat in Palastine, who had brought relics from the grave of the Blessed Virgin Mary and placed it here.
Franciscan significance
St. Francis of Assisi had a mystical vision of Jesus Christ in the chapel of San Damiano, in which the Icon of Christ Crucified came alive and said to him three times, “Francis, go and repair My house which, as you can see, is falling into ruins”. Francis took this literally and started repairing the dilapidated churches through his begging, and selling of his horse and some clothes from his father’s store. He restored several ruined churches; and one among them was this Portiuncula, the little church of Our Lady of St Mary of the Angels, just outside Assisi.
Adjoining this humble Portiuncula which is dear to Francis, the first Franciscan friary was formed by the erection of a few small huts of wattle, straw, and mud, and enclosed by a hedge. This is the cradle of the Franciscans. This is the mother house of the Franciscan Order. Here is where Francis began his service to Christ and His Church. Here Francis founded his First Order for men. Here he received his followers; here is where he received Clare of Assisi as his spiritual daughter and founded his Secord Order for women. The General Chapters, the annual meetings of the friars, were held in this Portiuncula church.
Thomas of Celano, one of the first companions of St. Francis of Assisi writes, quoting Francis, “‘see to it, my sons, that you never leave this place. If you are driven out by one door return by the other for this is truly a holy place of God’s dwelling. Here when we were few the Most High increased our number; here he enlightened the hearts of his poor with the light of his own wisdom; here he inflamed our wills with the fire of his love. He who prays here with devout heart will obtain his request, and he who offends here will be punished more severely. Therefore, my sons, consider the place of God’s dwelling worthy of all honor and will all your hearts, with loud cries of joy and thanksgiving praise the Lord in this place.”
Feeling his end was approaching, St Francis asked his friars that he be brought back to Portiuncula in September 1226. On his death-bed St Francis entrusted “Portiuncula” to the faithful protection and care of his brothers. And here is where he embraced sister death at sunset on Saturday, 3 October 1226.
After the death of Francis, the spiritual value and the charisma of Portiuncula became even greater. St Francis himself pointed out the Portiuncula as a primary source of inspiration and a model for all his followers.
Why the Feast of Portiuncula on 2nd August?
It is said that St. Francis was given this day (2nd August) by Our Lord because of two reasons: 1. It was on 2nd August that Portiuncula church was dedicated to Our Lady of St. Mary of the Angels.
- 1st August is the Feast of the Chains of St. Peter (the day Peter was released from prison and his chains removed), and Francis felt that sinners should also be freed from the chains of their sins on the day following this great feast. This is an extraordinary demonstration of God’s mercy in removing the chains of sin from those who devoutly and faithfully seek to gain the indulgence by completing its requirements.
What is Portiuncula Indulgence? Or Pardon of Assisi?
St. Francis had great love and compassion for everyone. On a night of July, 1216, Francis was praying in this little Portiuncula church, overwhelmed by love for God and a thirst to save souls. He prayed for the forgiveness of sins of mankind. Suddenly a brilliant light shone all around. In great splendour Jesus and Mary appeared in the midst of a dazzling cloud surrounded by a multitude of radiant angels. Out of fear and reverence, St. Francis adored Our Lord, prostrated upon the ground. Then Jesus said to him: “Francis you are very zealous for the good of souls. Ask me what you want for salvation of mankind.”
St. Francis was wrapped in ecstasy before Jesus. When he regained his courage, he said: “Lord, I a miserable sinner, I beg you to grant an indulgence to all those who enter this Portiuncula church, who are truly contrite and have confessed their sins. And I beg Blessed Mary, your Mother, the intercessor that she intercedes on behalf of mankind for this grace.” Our Lady at once began to beseech her son on behalf of Francis. Then Jesus answered: “It is a very great thing that you ask of me; but you are worthy of even greater things, Friar Francis, and greater things you will be given. So, I accept your request, but I want you to go to my Vicar, to whom I have given the power to bind and loose in Heaven and on earth, to ask him on my behalf for this indulgence.” With one of his companions, Francis rushed to Pope Honorius III and prostrated and implored him to proclaim that everyone visiting this Portiuncula and confessing their sins with a contrite heart would be as pure from all sin and punishments as he was immediately after baptism. And the Pope granted this petition. And that is Portiuncula Indulgence.
The Portiuncula Indulgence could at first be gained only in the Portiuncula church between the afternoon of 1 August and sunset on 2 August. However, on 5 August 1480, Pope Sixtus IV extended it to all churches of the first and second orders of St Francis for Franciscans. And 0n 4 July 1622, Pope Gregory XV extended the privilege to all the faithful, who, after confession and the reception of Holy Communion, visited such churches on the appointed day. Again on 12 October 1622, Gregory XV granted the same privilege to all the churches of the Capuchins. Pope Urban VIII granted it for all churches of the regular Third Order on 13 January 1643. Pope Clement X granted it for all churches of the Conventuals on 3 October 1670.
On the first of May in 1939 Pope Pius XII extended the privilege to any pastor, with his bishop’s permission and approval, to apply to the Sacred Penitentiary to allow the Portiuncula Indulgence in their parish. Many have responded; today there are countless churches and chapels where one can receive this plenary indulgence. And Pope Paul VI completely reformed the grant of indulgences, after the Second Vatican Council. His Apostolic Constitution (Indulgentiarum Doctrina 1967) yet again confirmed the Portiuncula Indulgence.
Portiuncula Indulgence from the Treasury of Divine Mercy
The Portiuncula Indulgence which is also called “Pardon of Assisi” cannot be denied that this indulgence is one of the most precious favours that comes to us from the treasury of the divine mercy. Not only the Vicar of Christ but Christ Himself granted it at the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, the Mother of Mercy to the humanity through St. Francis of Assisi. It was the spirit of penance and of trust in God that made St. Francis worthy of obtaining this indulgence. His entire life was one continuous act of penance, and when this great grace was granted to him, our Lord and His Blessed Mother, and a great number of angels appeared to him and this increased his confidence still more.
Shortly after 1290, the Portiuncula church, became entirely inadequate to accommodate the throngs of pilgrims. So, a mighty Basilica dedicated to St. Mary of the Angels was constructed between 1569 and 1679 enclosing the Portiuncula church, the most sacred place for the Franciscans and, preserving the cell in which St Francis had died. On 11 April 1909, Pope Pius X raised it to the status of “patriarchal basilica and papal chapel”
All You have to do to avail the Portuincula Indulgence is
First, Confess your sins to the Priest
Second, Attend Holy Eucharist and receive Communion. In this time of pandemic, you can make a sincere prayer seeking God’s pardon for the sins, recite the Act of Contrition, participate in the Online Mass and obtain the spiritual Communion.
Third, Pray the Apostles Creed, Our Father and Pray for the intentions of the Pope.