The Portiuncula Indulgence

The conditions to obtain the Plenary Indulgence of the

Forgiveness of Assisi is (for oneself or for a departed soul) is as follows: (The Pardon Prayer of Saint Francis)
… Sacramental Confession to be in God’s grace (during eight days
before or after.)
… Participation in the Holy Mass and Eucharist
… Recitation of The Apostles Creed, Our Father and also a prayer for Feast Day: August 2nd
the Pope’s Intention (such as an Our Father, Hail Mary, etc.).
Mark your calendar for the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels beginning at
July 25 Feast Day of St. James, Apostle until August 10 (8 Days
before and after)
Tell everyone of the magnitude of this gift.
Once again, we see the unfathomable Divine Mercy of God.

Distinguishing this Indulgence from Others:

*On the day (August 2nd) on which it is granted, it can be gained not only
once, but oftener. You can gain other indulgences only once on the same day, but the
Portiuncula indulgence you can gain on the first Sunday of August, and that, too, as
often as on that day you visit a church of the Franciscans, or the parish church, (you
may go out of the church and re-enter as many times as you wish) and there pray
according to the intention of the Holy Father. The Congregation of the Council has
twice confirmed the indulgence on July 17, 1700 and again on December 4, 1723.
Again, the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences on February 22, 1847 reaffirmed the
indulgence and noted that Communion did not have to be received only in a
Franciscan Church. Pope Pius IX confirmed these decisions by a decree dated July 12,
1849. It is indeed true that on one day we can gain a plenary indulgence for ourselves
only once, but this does not interfere with the doctrine that the Portiuncula indulgence
can be gained more than once on the same day, for we may apply it to the souls in
purgatory, if we gain it the second and the third time, etc. A question arose if a visit
was made on the second Sunday if the indulgence still applies, and the visit repeated The old church that was abandoned by the Benedictines (Portiuncula)
the answer by the Congregation of Indulgences on Feb. 22, 1847 was in the affirmative. "small portion", used by Francis and is now located within
*(excerpted from: http://friarsminor.org/sermons/portiuncula.html)
Our Lady of the Angels Church, Assisi, Italy
NOTE: A review of the meaning of the above with a retired provincial of the Holy
Name Province, of the Franciscan Order, and in consultation with the Franciscan
Ordo, states that this Indulgence may only be transferred to Sunday as a special In the words of Saint Francis:
concession to remote areas of the world where Mission Chapels are not usually open
during the week. Otherwise, the normal rules for August 2nd apply.
"O my Brothers and Sisters,
As we honor Our Lady of the Angels, I want you all to go to Heaven!"
may we find inspiration for our own growth and development
in the Gospel way of life
that Saint Francis embraced and lived so completely.
 When he regained his courage he said:
St. Francis of Assisi and the Portiuncula Indulgence "Lord, I a miserable sinner beg you to concede an indulgence to
(The Great Pardon) all those who enter this church, who are truly contrite and have
confessed their sins. And I beg Blessed Mary, your Mother,
The Portiuncula (small portion) refers to the land in Assisi, Italy, intercessor of man that she intercedes on behalf of this grace."
that belonged to the Benedictines. On this land was an old church
dedicated to the Virgin Mother of God but abandoned. Our Lady at once began to beseech her Son on behalf of Francis.
Jesus answered:
The great St. Francis had great devotion to the Queen of the "It is a very great thing that which you ask me; but you are
world and when he saw that the church was deserted, he began to live worthy of even greater things, Friar Francis, and greater things
there constantly and repair it. He heard that the angels often visited it, you will have. So I accept your request, but I want you to go to
so that it was called St. Mary of the Angels. 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
The Benedictines wanted to give Francis the church but in order indulgence." (ed. Note: Matthew 16: 19).
to remain faithful to lady Poverty, Francis rented it from them with the
annual compensation of a basket of fish from the Tescio river. Here is With one of his companions, Francis hastened to Pope
where Francis began his service to Christ and His Church. Honorius III and prostrate implored him to proclaim that
everyone visiting the church and confessing their sins with a
Here Francis founded his Order, received Clare as his spiritual contrite heart would be as pure from all sin and punishments as
daughter, and where he died commending this spot above all others to he was immediately after baptism. The Pope granted this
the friars. petition. This indulgence as been extended to all parish
churches throughout the world.
St. Francis had great love and compassion for everyone.
The date was first set from
On a night in July, 1216, Francis was praying in the little church vespers of the first of August until
of the Portiuncula devoured by love for God and a thirst to save souls. sundown on the second of August,
He prayed for the forgiveness of sins of mankind. the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels.
It is said that St. Francis was given
Suddenly a brilliant light shone all around. In great splendor this day by Our Lord because the
Jesus and Mary appeared in the midst of a dazzling cloud surrounded Feast of the Chains of St. Peter
by a multitude of radiant angels. celebrated on August first is the day
Reliquary of St. Peter’s Chains Peter was released from prison and
located in his chains removed.
Out of fear and reverence, St. Francis adored Our Lord prostrate
Church of St. Peter in Chains,
upon the ground. Rome, Italy

Then Jesus said to him: Francis you are very zealous for the good of This is an extraordinary demonstration of God’s mercy in
souls. Ask me what you want for their salvation. St. Francis was removing the chains of sin from those who devoutly and faithfully
wrapped in ecstasy before Jesus. seek to gain the indulgence by completing its requirements.