The Rev. Jeff Scheeler of the Church of the Transfiguration in Southfield reflected on the Portiuncula, a small house of worship within the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, in the Aug. 2 bulletin for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time. 

The small chapel was built by St. Francis of Assisi, who, in 1206, received a message from God to “rebuild” the church. 

“When you visit, there are two aspects of the Franciscan legacy that are always stressed: the beginning of the Franciscans and the end of St. Francis’ earthly life,” Rev Scheeler wrote. “In the beginning, the 'Porciúncula' was the place from which the friars were sent on mission to the world.”

The Rev. Jeff Scheeler | https://www.transfigsfld.org/

When St. Francis’ death approached, he asked to be taken back to the chapel, an account of which was retold by Thomas of Celano:

“After he had rested a few days in that place he so longed for, knowing the time of his death was close at hand, he called to him two brothers, his special sons, and told them to sing The Praises of the Lord with a loud voice and joyful spirit, rejoicing at his approaching death, or rather the life that was so near.”

“In 1216, in a vision, it was reported that St. Francis obtained from Jesus Himself the Indulgence of the Pardon of Assisi,” Rev. Scheeler wrote. “According to tradition, this indulgence was verbally approved by Pope Honorius III. This tradition’s historical authenticity is still a subject of dispute. The controversy arises from the fact that none of the earliest accounts of St. Francis mentions the indulgence, and no contemporary document or mention of it has come down to us.”