The Porziuncola

The birth of the Franciscan Order

The Porziuncola played a fundamental role in the history and interpretation of Franciscanism. While the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi represents all the strength and

grandeur behind the representation and image of the Order, it is the spirit of the early words of the Franciscan Order that is in the air at the Porziuncola. 
The birth of Franciscanism took place right here, in and around the little church, now located inside the patriarchal basilica, that bore witness to the examples set by the saint. 
The small chapel already existed well before the birth of St. Francis. It belonged to the Benedictines and had little importance. It later became a central meeting point

after Francis definitively took his vows to serve the Lord.
The different stages that the Franciscan Order has gone through have inevitably involved the Porziuncola.
The Porziuncola was a dream come true for Francis and his disciples, for it gave them the reference point they had long desired. The role played by the Porziuncola was
also important for another secular order, the order of the Poor Clares. St. Clare came here in 1212 after renouncing her worldly garments and possessions and this
represents the birth of the sisters of St. Damian.
The Assisi Pardon is also tied to the Porziuncola. One day, Francis was afflicted with temptation and in order to drive the devil away, he threw himself naked into a
thorn bush. The drops of blood that fell on the thorns miraculously transformed the brambles into a rose bush. Two angels then appeared to him and brought him to the
Porziuncola, where he had a vision of Christ and Our Lady.
The Lord wanted to reward Francis, who had succeeded in driving such strong temptation way, so the Poor One asked God to pardon anyone who, repentant of their
sins, entered the little chapel. The Lord granted this "Pardon" to St. Francis and the indulgence was later authorized by Pope Honorius III (1216).
By this time, the Porziuncola had become a central point from which the Franciscan message was spread. The first Franciscan "apostles" departed from the Porziuncola
to bring a new message of peace, simplicity and purity.
In the meantime, St. Francis continued to travel for the apostolate and, with the exception of a few brief periods, it was not until 1226 that, tired and ill, he returned to the
Porziuncola. He passed away here on the evening of October 3, 1226, thus dying in the same place in which he had been converted and that marked the start of his
great "example".

Description

The Porziuncola is located inside the patriarchal basilica. This tiny structure looks even smaller in comparison with the immense basilica that surrounds it.
It has an even and square shape and was built from local stone. The walls and tiny apse have been left in their original state, whereas virtually the entire façade was
frescoed in 1830 by Frederick Overbek.
The fresco shows the angels escorting the saint, who is clearly depicted on the right, as they bring him to the church where Christ and Our Lady appeared to him. This is
the scene of the Pardon and the granting of this indulgence.
The wooden door dates to the fifteenth century and has a floral motif. On top of the façade is a small Gothic-style bell tower.
The Interior  

Inside the Porziuncola, which is in its original state, is the finest painting in the entire sanctuary. It is a polyptych done by Ilario of Viterbo (Ilario Zacchi) in 1393.  
 

The Annunciation  

The Virgin Mary is visited by the Archangel as she deep in prayer and in fact, this work has a very pensive tone. Mary is cloaked in an elegant cape and next to her is a vase of lilies, the symbol of purity. 
 

The Pardon  

St. Francis asks for and is granted this indulgence. He is surrounded by a choir of angels and is lifting a wreath of roses up to the Lord.