The Pardon of Assisi

The Plenary Indulgence of the Pardon of Assisi, or Indulgence of the Porziuncola, which begins on August 1 and ends on August 2, is a manifestation of God's infinite mercy. The most important aspect of the Pardon of Assisi - and of every Indulgence - is the great spiritual benefit it offers the faithful who, in order to receive its benefits, are encouraged to go to Confession and receive Holy Communion. Confession, preceded and accompanied by contrition for the sins committed and by the commitment to amend one's ways and live one's life increasingly according to the Gospel, just as all the saints did, especially Saint Francis and Saint Clare.

How Saint Francis Asked for and Obtained the Indulgence

One night in the year of Our Lord 1216, Francis was immersed in prayer and contemplation in the little church of the Porziuncola (Assisi), when suddenly a very bright light filled the chapel, and Francis saw Christ clothed in light above the altar, with his Most Holy Mother at his right, surrounded by a multitude of angels. Francis silently adored his Lord with his face to the ground! They then asked him what he desired for the salvation of souls. Francis immediately replied: “Lord, although I am a miserable sinner, I beg you to grant all those who, repentant and having confessed, come to visit this church a full and generous pardon, with complete remission of all their sins.” “What you ask, Brother Francis, is great,” the Lord told him, “but you are worthy of greater things, and you shall receive greater things. I therefore grant your prayer, but on condition that you ask my vicar on earth, on my behalf, for this indulgence.” Francis immediately went to Pope Honorius III, who was in Perugia in those days, and with sincere simplicity told him about the vision he had witnessed. The Pope listened to him attentively and, after some difficulty, gave his approval. Then he said: “For how many years do you want this indulgence?” Francis, springing up, replied: “Holy Father, I do not ask for years, but for souls.” And he happily headed toward the door, but the Pontiff called him back: “What, you do not want any document?” And Francis replied: “Holy Father, your word is enough for me! If this indulgence is God's work, he will see to it that his work is made known; I do not need any document. This document must be the Most Holy Virgin Mary, Christ the notary, and the angels the witnesses.” A few days later, together with the bishops of Umbria and the people gathered at the Porziuncola, he said through his tears: “My brothers, I want to send you all to Paradise!”

When and Where the Indulgence Can Be Obtained

• At the Porziuncola, pilgrims can obtain the Indulgence every day of the year, once a day, for themselves or for a deceased person.
• From noon on August 1 until midnight on August 2, or, with the consent of the Ordinary, on the preceding or following Sunday (from noon on Saturday until midnight on Sunday) in all parish churches, all Franciscan churches, or churches that have received the privilege.

Required Conditions

This indulgence may be obtained for oneself or offered in suffrage for the souls in Purgatory. To obtain the privilege of the Pardon, in addition to excluding any attachment to sin, even venial sin, it is necessary to perform the indulgenced work, namely:
• A visit to the church of the Porziuncola, or to a parish church, a Franciscan church, or a church that has received the privilege; there, one renews one's profession of faith by reciting the Creed, to confirm one's Christian identity, and recites the Our Father, to confirm one's dignity as a child of God, received in Baptism.

Fulfill the three conditions:
1. Sacramental Confession, celebrated during the period including the eight days before and after the visit to the church of the Porziuncola, to return to God's grace.*
2. Participation in Mass and reception of Holy Communion during the same period indicated for Confession.*
3. Prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father, to reaffirm one's belonging to the Church, whose foundation and visible center of unity is the Roman Pontiff. The condition of praying for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff is fully fulfilled by reciting, according to his intentions, one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be. However, the faithful are free to recite any other prayer according to each person's piety and devotion.*

* Confession, Communion, and prayers for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff may be performed within the eight days before or after the day of the indulgence; however, it is fitting that Communion and prayer for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff be offered on the same day on which the indulgenced work is performed.

This text is taken from Messalino Sulla Tua Parola, the July-August 2022 bimonthly issue, code 511