AUGUST 2 - PORTIUNCULA INDULGENCE POSSIBLE AT ANY FRANCISCAN CHURCH OR CHAPEL

August 2 is the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels.  In the valley below the city of Assisi was an abandoned, tiny church dedicated to Our Lady of the Angels which Saint Francis loved because it was dedicated to the Blessed Mother and because it was small, abandoned and forgotten.  He called it "The Little Portion," or "Portiuncula" in Latin.  Saint Francis made it his spiritual home and eventually died there.

But before he died, Saint Francis was praying one day in the Portiuncula for the conversion of all men, when he beheld a vision of people from every part of the world converging on this little spot at the Portiuncula.  Jesus and Mary appeared in glory and asked what Saint Francis wanted them to do for the sake of sinners.  Saint Francis did not know what to say, but the words just came, to ask for a full pardon to all those who come to the Portiuncula and make a good confession. Jesus looked at Mary, who smiled and nodded to Saint Francis.  It was approved!

What was approved?  We know that all sins are absolved in a good confession, which can be made anywhere in the world.  But we also know (or should know) that absolution does not cancel the temporal punishments due to sin.  The sin is forgiven, the greater and eternal punishment of hell is cancelled, but the temporal punishments are not.  David repenetd of his adultery and the prophet Nathan said God had forgiven him, but there would still be a punishment :