Dear friends, this is going to be a bit longer than usual. Today, we gather to celebrate a beautiful and important Franciscan feast; the Dedication of the Basilica of the Porziuncola, a momentous occasion that reminds us of the importance of these sacred spaces in the life of Saint Francis and our own sacred places of worship, our churches, in our relationship with God. The Porziuncola, a tiny chapel nestled within the woods of Assisi, was entrusted to Saint Francis and became a pivotal site for his spiritual journey and the establishment of the Franciscan Order.
In our readings today, we encounter themes of prophecy, listening, and faith. In Jeremiah 26:1-9, the prophet Jeremiah delivers a message from God, urging the people to return to Him and obey His commandments. He warns them of the consequences of their disobedience, illustrating how sacred spaces can become desolate when not honored — a striking image for us as we gather in spirit in the Basilica of the Porziuncola today. This chapel, like Solomon's Temple for the Israelites, was designed as a dwelling place for God among His people.
Today, the feast of the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels in Assisi (aka, the Porziuncola), calls to mind the Porziuncola Indulgence, a special grace offered by the Church. Through this plenary indulgence, we are invited to encounter God’s mercy and forgiveness profoundly. A plenary indulgence is a form of forgiveness in the Catholic Church that eliminates the temporal punishment for sins. It is granted under specific conditions, such as performing certain good works, praying, or fulfilling particular requirements, like confession and receiving Holy Communion. God loves obedience, and he loves true transformation of heart even more. Unlike a partial indulgence, which only reduces the punishment, a plenary indulgence removes it entirely for the sins that have already been forgiven. To receive this particular indulgence of the Porziuncola, one must fulfill a few conditions in the spirit of humble obedience as a sign of great love and respect for God:
1. Visit the Basilica of the Porziuncola. Now, as beautiful as this sanctuary is, most people won’t be able to visit on this day. So, for those unable to make the journey to Assisi, the Church offers a beautiful alternative. The option to visit any Franciscan-run church or sanctuary allows people around the world to connect with the same spirit of community and faith that St. Francis embodied. These places often reflect the values of simplicity, humility, and compassion that are central to Franciscan teachings, providing a serene environment for reflection and prayer.
Furthermore, sharing your experiences with others can amplify the community aspect of your journey, connecting you with fellow believers who share your faith and values. One can receive this indulgence on the feast of Our Lady of the Angels, which is celebrated on August 2. However, the indulgence can also be obtained during the days surrounding the feast. Specifically, the indulgence is available from noon on August 1 until midnight on August 2, allowing for a generous time frame to attain it. In some cases, local bishops may grant additional days for obtaining the indulgence, but the most widely recognized period remains limited to those two days. Always check with your local Catholic parish or diocese for any specific guidelines or extensions they may offer.
2. Confession: We are asked to confess our sins and approach God with a contrite heart. We make a good confession after a thorough preparation which will include a profound examination of conscience. We wish to give everything to our Lord, placing ourselves at the mercy of his Sacred Heart.
3. Eucharistic Communion: Our Lord comes to unite himself with us, as God wishes to be with his beloved. On this feast day, we also reflect on the life of Saint Peter Julian Eymard whose memorial is also celebrated today, a man who dedicated his life to promoting Eucharistic devotion. He recognized the centrality of the Eucharist in the life of faith, which resonates deeply with the themes we've discussed today and he was canonized in the middle of the Second Vatican Council where Pope Saint John XXIII declared him “a perfect adorer of the most Holy Eucharist”.
4. Prayers for the Pope: We express our connection to the broader Church by praying for the Holy Father, fostering a spirit of unity within the Body of Christ. Although this may be a challenge in our times, it is vital that we continue to pray for the pope as no one else gets more attacked by the devil then him. We remember what Christ said to the original pope, “Peter, Satan has desired to sift you as wheat. But, I have prayed for you Peter.” So the attacks are strong, but the Lord’s protection is stronger, if we but pray.
With these conditions, the indulgence serves as a reminder that God is always inviting us back to Him. Just as Jeremiah called the people to return to the Lord, the indulgence signifies God's ongoing invitation for us to embrace His grace.
We would be remiss if we didn’t thank Saint Francis on this day. He felt a temptation to sin while he was meditating in the forest, and so threw himself into a nearby rose bush so as to extinguish its seductive force. Miraculously the thorns that were meant to snap him out of the devil’s hypnotic powers, fell from the rose bush and he remained unscathed, but at that moment, two angels appeared to him and led him into the tiny abandoned chapel, dedicated to the Mother of God, Assumed into Heaven. This chapel was situation on a “tiny piece of land” which is what the word and now name of the place and the chapel itself “porziuncola” refers to. Why did the angels lead him there? Because Jesus was waiting for him, in an apparition above the altar. Jesus was so pleased with how Francis preferred mortifying his body, than offending him, and offered to grant him anything he wished for as a reward. Saint Francis asked, that whoever set foot into that tiny abandoned chapel,
with an intention to change their ways and live for God, would never see the fires of hell. Our Lady then appeared beside Jesus, and continued to press for Francis’ request to be granted by her Son, our Lord Jesus. The request was granted and Jesus directed Francis to the Pope from whom he was to obtain the plenary indulgence. So, we thank this saint, for it is through his courage, that the Lord extended his salvific mercy to so many throughout the generations of pilgrims who have visited this and many other Franciscan sites throughout the world. Thank-you Saint Francis.
May today's celebrations inspire us to be steadfast in faith, to seek reconciliation with God, and to nurture our devotion to the Eucharist, allowing the grace of the Porziuncola Indulgence to flow abundantly into our lives and generously to others. Our Lady, Queen of Angels, pray for us.
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