The Feast of Our Lady of the Angels, marking the dedication of the Portiuncula chapel in Assisi, is celebrated on August 2.
The Italian word Portiuncula translates to ‘little portion’.
As Francis’ group of brothers grew in numbers, their first location at Rivo Torto became inadequate. The bishop of Assisi interceded and provided the opportunity for them to acquire from the local Benedictines the use of a tiny rundown chapel hidden away in the woods and marshes near Assisi – St. Mary of the Angels.
Francis rebuilt the chapel, and was especially fond of this ‘Little Portion’. It was the one place in the world that Francis called home, and it is where he died in 1226.
Today the tiny chapel is enclosed in the Papal Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels.
St. Francis, wanting everyone to experience God’s love and mercy, persuaded Pope Honorius III to grant a plenary indulgence to all who visited the Portiuncula on August 2 and confessed their sins. This indulgence has been extended to all churches, especially those held by Franciscans, throughout the world.
For the 800th anniversary of the transitus and death of St. Francis, Pope Leo XIV proclaimed a special Jubilee Year of St. Francis running from January 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027.
The Pope’s decree –
"grants the Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion, and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father), which can also be applied in the form of suffrage for the souls in Purgatory: …to all the faithful without distinction who, with a spirit detached from sin, will participate in the Year of St. Francis by visiting in the form of a pilgrimage any Franciscan conventual church, or place of worship in any part of the world named after St. Francis or connected to him for any reason, and there they will devoutly follow the Jubilee rites or spend at least a suitable period of time in pious meditation and will raise prayers to God so that, following the example of Saint Francis, may sentiments of Christian charity towards one's neighbour and authentic wishes for harmony and peace among peoples spring up in hearts, concluding with the Our Father, the Creed and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Francis of Assisi, St Clare, and all the saints of the Franciscan Family."
