St. Francis of Assisi: The Feast of Our Lady of the Angels of Portiuncula
St. Francis of Assisi: The Feast of Our Lady of the Angels of Portiuncula
By Daniel Rocha LMT CPT CNS
The Feast of Our Lady of the Angels of Portiuncula, also known as the Feast of the Portiuncula or simply Portiuncula, is a Catholic liturgical feast celebrated on August 2nd. It commemorates the dedication of the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli (St. Mary of the Angels) near Assisi, Italy.
The Portiuncula is a small chapel located within the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli. It was here that St. Francis of Assisi founded the Franciscan Order in the early 13th century. The chapel holds historical and spiritual significance for Franciscans and Catholics worldwide. In 1216, at St. Francis’ request, Pope Honorius III granted a plenary indulgence to those who visited the chapel. Later popes expanded the indulgence to include any basilica, cathedral, or parish church.
The Portiuncula was built in honor of Our Lady of the Angels in the fourth century, and by St. Francis’ time, it had fallen into disrepair. The church, located outside Assisi, became the “motherhouse” of the Franciscan orders. “Although Francis realized that the kingdom of heaven is found in every dwelling on earth … he had learned nevertheless that the church of St. Mary at Portiuncula was filled with more abundant grace and visited more frequently by heavenly spirits,” says the “Life of St. Francis” written by Friar Thomas of Celano and read today by Franciscans.
Concerning the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels of Portiuncula, the Catholic Church grants a plenary indulgence to those who fulfill certain conditions. An indulgence is the remission of the temporal punishment for sins that have already been forgiven. By obtaining a plenary indulgence, a person can be freed from all the temporal punishment due to their sins.
To obtain the plenary indulgence associated with the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels of Portiuncula, the following conditions must be met:
1. Visit a Catholic church, a Franciscan sanctuary, or an oratory on August 2nd.
2. Participate in the Holy Mass and receive Holy Communion.
3. Confess your sins within a week before or after August 2nd.
4. Pray for the intentions of the Pope (one Our Father and one Hail Mary).
5. Have a disposition of complete detachment from all forms of sin, even venial sin.
If these conditions are fulfilled, the plenary indulgence is granted, provided there is no attachment to sin. It is recommended that the faithful, when seeking indulgence, also pray for the intentions of the Holy Father, traditionally one Our Father and one Hail Mary.
It's important to note that indulgences are not a means of "buying" forgiveness or salvation. They are rooted in the belief that the Church has the authority to bind and lose sins and that the merits of Christ and the saints can be applied to the faithful. Indulgences are seen as an expression of God's mercy and a way to encourage spiritual growth and the pursuit of holiness.