800 Years of the Portiuncula-Indulgence -- Pope Francis Will Visit the Chapel in Assisi on August 4th

(Rome) Pope Francis will visit the Portiuncula Chapel in Assisi this coming August 4th. This is how the chapel of Santa Maria degli Angeli is popularly known in the plain below Assisi. The occasion of the papal visit is the 800th anniversary of the granting of so-called Portiuncula indulgence by Pope Honorius III. in 1216.

The Portiuncula indulgence, the so-called "Forgiveness of Assisi", can be received by visiting the chapel in Assisi or in the world by visiting a Franciscan church. The expansion of  indulgences had been granted in 1480 by Pope Sixtus IV.. In addition to this condition, the usual conditions apply for obtaining a plenary indulgence.

Any baptized Christian who is not excommunicated and is not  in the state of grave sin at the time of receiving the Indulgence, will win it if he's disposed and within the prescribed time and in the manner provided by the Church, meets the five conditions:

• sacramental confession,
• resolute turning from sin,
• Communion,
• Prayer for the intentions of the Pope.

The fifth condition is to visit the Portiuncula or another Franciscan church.

Portiuncula dates back to the 4th century

The Chapel of Our Lady of the Angels was built in the 4th century by hermits and passed in the 6th century to the possession of St. Benedict of Nursia. Saint Francis of Assisi again rebuilt the dilapidated chapel early in the 13th century. For a basket of fish as a payment of interest, it was rented to him  by the abbot of the Benedictine monastery of Monte Subasio.

Portiuncula chapel of St. Francis of Assisi

In his last six years of life, St. Francis of Assisi, from whom all Franciscan orders go back, meanwhile called a meeting of the Friars Minor at Pentecost at the chapel. He died in the chapel on October 3, 1226.

In 16/17th  century the Basilica of Santa Marta degli Ageli was built at the behest of Pope Saint Pius V around the chapel, one of the largest churches of Christendom.

Pope Francis will visit the chapel in connection with the Jubilee of mercy as a "simple pilgrim," as Vatican Radio reported.

According to tradition, the Benedictine monastery of Monte Subasio, which presented the Portiuncula to St. Francis of Assisi, goes back to St. Benedict of Nursia. The oldest surviving document dates from 1051.  An excavated crypt reveals the existence of a community of monks from the 7/8th centuruies.

In 1860 the monastery, like all monasteries in Italy,  was abolished, falling victim to the new, Masonic Kingdom Italy. Only in 1945 were the remains of the Abbey in Assisi taken over again by the Benedictines of St. Peter  and partly rebuilt. Due to severe damage from the earthquake of 1997, it had to be abandoned again by the monks. Restoration works are underway.

Subiaso is the house mountain of Assisi. The monastery dominates the town and the valley.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Image: RV / Wikicommons (Screenshot)
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
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Win The "Indulgence of Assisi" by Midnight -- Immemorial Mass in the Portiunkula Chapel in Assisi

(Assisi) until midnight of the 2nd August, the so-called Portiuncula indulgence, a plenary indulgence for the remission of temporal punishment can be received, which is also known as "Absolution of Assisi". On Saturday, the 3rd August is celebrated a sung Mass in the traditional rite in the Portiuncula chapel inside the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli Assisi at 9.30 clock.

Portiuncula indulgence - The Forgiveness of Assisi.

In one night of the year 1216, St. Francis of Assisi was lost in prayer in the Portiuncula chapel. Suddenly a very strong beam of light came into the chapel and Francis saw Christ on the altar and on his right the Virgin Mary and angels. The Lord told him to ask for an indulgence for the chapel for the salvation of souls by the Pope.

St. Francis went to the Pope, asking him for help to rescue the souls. The saint was asked what he wanted for the salvation of souls. "Holy Father, some time ago I restored for you a Church built in honor of the Virgin Mother of Christ. Although I am only unworthy and a sinner, I ask Your Holiness to provide a comprehensive and generous indulgence without an offering. "Pope Honorius III. asked him what he should grant as a discharge and how many years. The saint replied: "Holy Father, not years, but I pray souls." The Pope asked how he should do it. Francis asked that all the faithful who come to the chapel, have gone to confession, are remorseful, have received absolution from the priest, that all believers who do that, are freed in heaven and on earth of pain and guilt from the moment of baptism until the moment they enter the chapel.

"That's a lot," said the Pope, pointing out that it was not customary for such indulgences to be granted. Francis replied: "What I invoke here, I implore not of myself, but in the name of Him who sent me, in the name of Jesus Christ." Then the Pope granted the request of the saint. Because of the protests of the cardinals and prelates present, insisting that thereby the indulgences granted to the pilgrimage to the Holy Land and to the tombs of the apostles Peter and Paul would be negatively affected, Pope Honorius specified that the "Forgiveness of Assisi" can only be obtained on a single day of year, the second Can be obtained August.

St. Francis thanked him and walked away. The Pope had to call him back because yes no act had been issued for the indulgence yet. But the saint of Assisi said: "If this is the work of God, He will make known his work. I don't want a document. The Blessed Virgin is the paper that Christ, the Father and the angels are witnesses."

The "Indulgence of Assisi," the Portiuncula Indulgence can be gained today in every Franciscan Church (Franciscans, Friars Minor, Capuchin Franciscans of the Immaculate and all other orders of the Franciscan family) in the whole world. It can be received only once a year.

Conditions A) visiting a Franciscan church, a parish church or another Indult church from noon on the 1st of August until midnight on the 2nd of August and prayer of the Our Father (the affirmation of the dignity of a child of God) and the Creed.

B) the Sacrament of Penance to enter the state of grace (repentance and absolution) in the eight days before and after the second August.

C) Attend Holy Mass and receive Holy Eucharist

D) prayer for the intention of the Holy Father (at least one Our Father, one Hail Mary, or another prayer to confess membership in holy Church, the visible sign of the unity of the Pope).

E) interior attitude of the will to want to avoid sinful behavior.

The B - D conditions may be satisfied eight days previous to A and to eight days thereafter. However, the Holy Church recommends that the conditions C and D are fulfilled by the 2nd of August or in the time mentioned under A.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Image: Porziuncola, org
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
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