Because of our love for Saint Francis, we learned about this a few years ago. The Portiuncula Indulgence refers to the plenary indulgence originally granted by Pope Honorious III to those who visit the chapel of Our Lady of the Angels in Assisi on August 2nd. (This small chapel is now enshrined in a large basilica.) The indulgence has been extended to Franciscan churches the world over. I first read about it on the Mary Vitamin, a small dose of Marian devotions/quotes sent to my email each day. Father Marion Habig, OFM, explains the history of the Portiuncula indulgence:
A special impulse led St. Francis one night to go to the chapel. There he saw our Lord and His holy Mother surrounded by a great host of angels. Filled with astonishment and reverence, the saint prostrated himself upon the ground and adored the Divine majesty. Then he heard the voice of our Lord urging him with ineffable tenderness to ask some special favor. Nothing was so near to the heart of Francis as the salvation of souls, and so, after a few moments of reflection, he asked for the grace of a full pardon for all who, being contrite and having confessed their sins, would visit this little sanctuary. Mary cast herself upon her knees before her Divine Son, and repeated the petition of her faithful servant. (The Franciscan Book of Saints, Franciscan Herald Press:1979, 570.) This year, we will make an effort to visit the local St. Francis church for prayer. The usual conditions for an indulgence apply, so we will only attempt a partial indulgence today.
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