Portiuncula Indulgence Franciscan Feast of Our Lady of the Angels (Noon August 1 through Midnight August 2)

The Portiuncula Indulgence is a favor granted by Our Lord to Saint Francis of Assisi in July 1216—when Jesus and Our Lady appeared to Saint Francis while he was praying for the salvation of souls in the little church of the Portiuncula. Our Lord said: “Francis you are very zealous for the good souls. Ask me what you want for their salvation.”

Francis responded: “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 Lord accepted Francis’ request but directed him to ask the Holy Father, on our Lord’s behalf, for this indulgence.

Francis and a companion hastened to Pope Honorius III and asked him to “proclaim that everyone 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 the indulgence not only for Portiuncula but for all parish churches throughout the world for one day each year from Noon on August 1 until Midnight on August 2 (2013 it´s also the First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus).

Conditions for obtaining the Plenary Indulgence of the Forgiveness of Assisi (for oneself or for a departed soul) are—
• Sacramental confession (during eight days before or after).
• Participation in the Mass and Eucharist.
• Recitation of the Apostles’ Creed, Our Father, and a prayer for the pope’s intention.

In the 13th century, it was revealed to Saint Margaret of Cortona that the souls in purgatory eagerly await the Franciscan Feast of Our Lady of the Angels because it is a day of deliverance for a great number of them.