In the middle of summer, a unique opportunity is given to us all: the Pardon of Assisi. The plenary indulgence that Saint Francis of Assisi asked of Pope Honorius III in July 1216.
A light in the night
It was night, July 1216. The Saint was praying in the small church of the Porziuncola. In a great light, he saw Mary and Jesus surrounded by angels. Jesus asked him what he wanted. And he, without hesitation, replied: “Lord, although I am a miserable sinner, I beg you to grant to all those who, repentant and having confessed, come to visit this church, a broad and generous pardon, with complete remission of all their sins.” The Lord granted the request of his servant, on the condition that the Pope agreed.
The visit to the Pope
Providence saw to it that the Pope was in Perugia at that time. Francis went to him, told him about the vision he had experienced and the words of the Lord Jesus. Honorius III listened attentively and approved the request; he then said, “For how many years do you want this indulgence?” Francis, guileless and simple, replied: “Holy Father, I do not ask for years, but for souls.” The Little Poor Man happily set off toward the door when the Pontiff’s voice stopped him: “What, you do not want any document?” And he: “Holy Father, your word is enough for me! If this indulgence is the work of God, he will see to making his work known; I do not need any document, this paper must be the Most Holy Virgin Mary, Christ the notary, and the angels the witnesses.”
The forgiveness of the poor
“I want to send you all to Paradise.” These were the words with which Francis, on August 2, 1216, gave the gift of indulgence to the world. Thus, an entirely new path opened up: a free indulgence that did not involve the payment of any sum of money.
Since that distant year of 1216, the Pardon of Assisi has been celebrated every year.
The indulgence may be obtained only once for oneself or for a deceased person, from noon on August 1 to 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).
What must be done?
1. Visit the church of the Porziuncola, a parish church, a Franciscan church, or a church that has been granted the indult. Recite the Creed to affirm one’s Christian identity, and the Our Father to affirm one’s dignity as a child of God.
2. Receive the sacrament of Reconciliation to be in God’s grace (within the eight preceding or following days)*.
3. Participate in Holy Mass and Eucharistic Communion*.
4. Pray according to the intentions of the Holy Father (at least one Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, or other prayers of one’s choice), to reaffirm one’s belonging to the Church, whose foundation and visible center of unity is the Roman Pontiff*.
5. Exclude any attachment to sin, even venial sin.
At the Porziuncola in Assisi, the indulgence can be obtained every day of the year.
* Confession, Communion, and prayers according to the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff may be carried out within the eight days preceding or following the day of the indulgence (provided one is not in a state of mortal sin); however, it is appropriate for Communion and prayer according to the Pope’s intentions to take place on the same day that one visits the chosen sacred place and participates in Holy Mass.
The Pardon of Assisi is a “super” gift that Francis wanted for every person of every time and every place. During a night of prayer, the Saint experienced that every person is awaited and wanted by God, who cares for everyone, leaving in each person a longing for home: a relationship with Him. Forgiveness, in fact, is returning home, allowing oneself to be embraced by a Father who has always awaited us.
