THE PORTIUNCULA INDULGENCE
On the night of July, 1216, the great St. Francis was praying in the little church of the Portiuncula devoured by love for God and a thirst to save souls. He prayed for the forgiveness of sins of mankind.
Suddenly a brilliant light shone all around. In great splendor Jesus and Mary appeared in the midst of a dazzling cloud surrounded by a multitude of radiant Angels. Out of fear and reverence, St. Francis adored Our Lord prostrate upon the ground. Then Jesus said to him:
*”Francis you are very zealous for the good of souls. Ask me what you want for their salvation.”*
”St. Francis was rapt in ecstasy before Jesus. When he regained his courage he said:
*”Lord, I a miserable sinner beg You to concede an indulgence to all those who enter this church, who are truly contrite and have confessed their sins. And I beg Blessed Mary, your Mother, intercessor of man, that She intercede on behalf of this grace.”*
“Our Lady at once began to beseech Her Son on behalf of Francis.
Jesus answered:
“It is a very great thing that which you ask Me; but you are worthy of even greater things, Friar Francis, and greater things you will have. So I accept your request, but I want you to go to 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 indulgence.”
“With one of his companions, St. Francis hastened to Pope Honorius III and prostrate implored him to proclaim that every one visiting the church and confessing their sins with a contrite heart would be as pure from all sin and punishments as he was immediately after baptism.
The Pope granted this petition. *This indulgence has been extended to all parish churches throughout the world.*
The date was set from evening of August 1st until sundown on August 2nd, the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels.*
It is said that St. Francis was given this day by Our Lord because the Feast of the Chains of St. Peter celebrated on August first is the day Peter was released from prison and his chains removed. This is an extraordinary demonstration of God’s mercy in removing the chains of sin from those who devoutly and faithfully seek to gain the indulgence by completing its requirements.
Tell everyone of the magnitude of this gift. Once again, we see the unfathomable Divine Mercy of God. In the words of St. Francis:
“O my Brothers and Sisters, I want you all to go to Heaven.”