The history
The chapel was situated in an area known as "Portiuncula". Having been left abandoned for some time it was restored by St. Francis.
It was here that he came to understand his vocation clearly and here he founded the Order of the Friars Minor in 1209, entrusting it to the protection of the Virgin Mother of Christ, to whom the little church is dedicated.
He was gifted the place by the Benedictine monks in order to make it the centre of his new Institution.
On the 28th March, St. Clare, (Chiara di Favarone di Offreducio), received the religious habit from St. Francis, giving life to the Order of the Poor Ladies ("the Poor Clares").
In 1216 St. Francis in a vision obtained from Jesus Himself the Indulgence known as the "Indulgence of the Porziuncola" or "Forgiveness of Assisi", approved by Pope Honorius III.
At the Porziuncola, which was and still is the centre of Franciscanism, the Poor Man gathered his friars for the Chapters (general assemblies) in order to discuss the Rule, to renew their enthusiasm and begin once again to announce the gospel throughout the entire world. |
