The Porziuncola: 'The Little Portion'
On August 2nd, the Franciscan Community throughout the world celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of the Porziuncola. The little church known as the Porziuncola currently stands within the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels in the plain below Assisi, Italy. The Porziuncola (or Little Portion") is more than 900 years old, is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and is considered the 'hearbeat' or home church of the worldwide Franciscan movement.
In 1208, Saint Francis was entrusted with the Porziuncola by the Abbot of the Monastery of Saint Benedict at Mount Subasio, the mountain which looms over Assisi and the Spoleto Valley. Francis and his first followers restored the badly dilapidated church with their own hands, begging stones, tools, and other supplies from the residents of the surrounding area. After papal approval, the Porziuncola became the home church of the Order of Friars Minor.
In 1211, on Palm Sunday, a young noble woman named Clare left her aristocratic family's home near the Cathedral of San Rufino in Assisi. After dark and alone, Clare's courage and faith lead her to the Porziuncola, where she was welcomed by Francis and his brothers with songs of praise and thanksgiving. She dedicated her life to Christ and to following Francis' example of living in poverty, simplicity, and according to the gospels.
The Pardon of Assisi
Five years later, on the night August 2, 1216, Francis, unable to sleep and praying alone at the Porziuncola, was visited by both the Lord and the Virgin Mary, who told him that anyone who visited the little church and repented would have their all of their sins forgiven. In 1480, more than two centuries after the saint's mystical experience, Pope Sixtus VI had extended the annual "Porziuncola Indulgence" on August 2nd to all Franciscan churches throughout the world.
In 1967, Pope Paul VI clarified the terms of the indulgence. The Holy Father stated that any Catholic could earn the "Pardon of Assisi" (a plenary indulgence or complete forgiveness of all sins) by participating in the Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliaton; by participating in the Holy Mass at any Catholic Church; and by reciting the Lord's Prayer, the Apostle's Creed, the Gloria, and a Hail Mary for the Pope and his intentions.
All are invited to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Porziuncola and to participate in the "Pardon of Assisi" on August 2nd. Saint Francis had a deep devotion to the Virgin Mary, which was only strengthened by his prayer and by mystical experience at the Porziuncola. On this special feast day for Saint Francis and for all who seek to follow his example, let us pray as he prayed for the Virgin Mary's intercession.
Today's Prayers
For our families & friends, we pray: Hail Mary...
For our parish communities, we pray: Hail Mary...
For our archbishop, Cardinal Sean, we pray: Hail Mary...
For our Holy Father, Pope Francis, we pray: Hail Mary...
For our Pope-Emeritus, Benedict XVI, we pray: Hail Mary...
For our departed brothers & sisters in faith, we pray: Hail Mary...
For the Catholic Church throughout the world, we pray: Hail Mary...
Our Father...
Prayer for the Virgin Mary's Intercession
Holy Virgin Mary,
you are blessed among all born into this world:
Daughter of the Most High King, our Heavenly Father,
Mother of Our Most Holy Lord, Jesus Christ,
and Spouse of the Holy Spirit.
Pray for us with Saint Michael the Archangel
and with all the powers of Heaven and all the Saints
before your Most Holy and Beloved Son,
the Lord and Master.
Glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.
Amen.
Saint Francis, pray for us!
Saint Clare, pray for us!
Our Lady of the Porziuncola, pray for us!
Holy Men & Women of Assisi, pray for us!
If you would like to learn more about the Assisi Project and our upcoming opportunities for faith formation, prayer, pilgrimage, and retreat in the Franciscan spiritual tradition, please contact Cliff Garvey at assisiproject@ymail.com. May the Lord give you peace!
SIXTH ANNUAL FALL PILGRIMAGE
FOOTSTEPS OF SAINT FRANCIS: ASSISI & ROME
November 2-November 9, 2013 | Space is Limited!
For the sixth consecutive year, the Assisi Project will sponsor a week-long pilgrimage and retreat to Assisi and Rome, Italy from November 2nd through November 9th. Last year, a sold-out group of seventeen pilgrims literally walked in the footsteps of Saint Francis and Saint Clare.
This year, we will journey back to these holy pilgrimage sites. Each morning, we will begin with Morning Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours and Mass. Masses will be celebrated at the Church of San Damiano, the Carceri, the Basilica of Saint Francis, and at LaVerna. Each afternoon, all pilgrims are encouraged to explore the medieval city of Assisi at their own pace and to visit the countless churches, cafes, museums, and shops. Each evening, we will gather for Evening Prayer, followed by a conference and faith sharing.
We will visit the historic Basilicas of Saint Francis and Saint Clare. Each of these great basilicas contains the tombs of the saints, holy relics, and priceless works of art. But these basilicas are also pilgrimage sites for prayer, silent meditation, and worship. We will visit the Basilica of Saint Rufino, where Saint Francis and Saint Clare were baptized. We will visit the Church of Saint Damian, where the famous crucifix spoke to Francis and hastened his conversion. And we will visit the little chapel known as the Portziuncola, which is considered the home church of the worldwide Franciscan community.
In addition, we will spend leisurely afternoons in and around the Piazza de Commune, Assisi's city center, with its ancient Roman temple (now a Catholic church), sidewalk cafes, restaurants, and shops. And the adventurous will have an opportunity to hike to the Rocca Maggiore, the great medieval fortress with its stunning views of Assisi, the Spoleto Valley, and Mount Subasio.
Finally, on our last day in Italy, we will travel to Rome for visits to Vatican City and Saint Peter's Basilica. In addition, we will offer special optional excursions to the Carceri (or hermitage) on Mount Subasio, where Saint Francis and his first followers retreated for prayer and contemplation; and to La Verna, where Saint Francis received the stigmata (the wounds of the crucified Christ).
The cost of this extraordinary pilgrimage and retreat is just $2,699 and includes all air and ground transportation (from Boston's Logan Airport only), guest house accommodations (single room) at the Convent of Saint Bridget of Sweden in Assisi and hotel accommodations (double room; single room option available) at the historic Columbus Hotel (near Vatican City) in Rome. All meals are included. This price does not include recommended travel insurance (approximately $150) or transportation to the Carceri or La Verna (optional excursions).
For more information, please contact Cliff Garvey at assisiproject@ymail.com. If you would like to read about our previous pilgrimages and see photographs, please click on the appropriate link to the left. Please join us! Space is limited! May the Lord give you peace!
