Where St. Francis of Assisi headquartered the Franciscan order, and where he often felt the presence of Angels
The historic Chapel, now inside the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels
By: Juan B
Mar 20, 2025
The Catholic church is full of marvels, including the Chapel of Our Lady Queen of the Angels at Portiuncula near Assisi, which used to be St. Francis of Assisi’s favorite place on earth. (Sacred Heart Catholic Church, from St. Bonaventure)
It was one of the chapels that St. Francis of Assisi “rebuilt,” a 4th Century chapel with an incredible history: legend has it that when some hermits built the chapel, they brought to it relics from the Blessed Virgin Mary’s grave (Bihl). The chapel’s original name, “The Chapel of Our Lady of the Angels” is also significant, in that it’s reported that the singing of angels was often heard here (Bihl). Last, St. Francis himself says that he often felt the presence of Angels here, and a biographer of the Saint says that the Saint thought this place on earth was one of God’s favorites.
The inside of the chapel
Portiuncula means “little portion of land,” and the plot and the chapel were given him by the Benedictines (Bihl). St. Francis of Assisi headquartered the Franciscan order here, and he often sensed the presence of angels (Sacred Heart). One of his biographers Friar Thomas of Celano says that St. Francis thought the chapel “was filled with more abundant grace and visited more frequently by heavenly spirits” (Bunderson). Also, as St. Francis noticed his earthly life was ending, he asked to be brought back to “Portiuncula” (Sacred Heart), here entrusted its future care to his Franciscan brethren, and here passed away (Bihl).
Of note is that there is a famous indulgence, called the Portiuncula Indulgence, on August 2. Originally, it was granted for visits to this sacred place, but now has been extended even to all parishes. Besides the typical requirements which I cover here (which are basically Communion within 20 days before or after completing the indulgenced work (in this case the visit), Confession if necessary within 20 days before or after completing the work, an Our Father and Hail Mary for the Pope’s intentions, and forming the intention beforehand that you’re going to get the indulgence (you can’t get an indulgence for a past work you didn’t intend to get an indulgence for)), we must also pray the Creed and the Our Father.
Though disputed, its worth mentioning as well that some say that St. Francis got this indulgence from Jesus himself, called the Pardon of Assisi (Sacred Heart). The artwork on the front of the chapel actually depicts Jesus granting the Saint this Pardon of Assisi (Bunderson).
I was struck by two things that share the name of this marvelous Chapel in Italy: first, the Art of “Queen of the Angels,” and second, The Chicago church of St. Mary of the Angels.
I was struck by two things that share the name of this marvelous Chapel in Italy: first, the Art of “Queen of the Angels,” and second, The Chicago church of St. Mary of the Angels.
Regina Angelorum (Queen of the Angels), William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905)
St. Mary of the Angels, Chicago
Needless to say, Catholics are blessed with such a rich tradition and of the Divine touching our earthly lives.
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Citations
Benedictines, “Devotion to the Infant Jesus of Prague”. Publication date unknown. Accessed online via Notre Dame, https://curate.nd.edu/articles/educational_resource/Devotion_to_the_Infant_Jesus_of_Prague_/24861171 Accessed 1 Mar 2025
-Bihl, Michael. “Portiuncula.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 12. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1911. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12286a.htm. Accessed 14 Mar 2025
-Bunderson, Carl. “On Aug. 2, you can get this St. Francis-themed indulgence,” News. Published 28 July 2023. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/27816/on-aug-2-you-can-get-this-st-francis-themed-indulgence. Accessed 18 Mar 2025
-Sacred Heart Catholic Church. “Our Lady of the Angels – Portiuncula”. Publication date unknown. https://sacredheartfla.org/about-us/being-franciscan/fraciscan-feast-days/the-feast-of-our-lady-of-the-angels-portiuncula/. Accessed 14 Mar 2025
Image credits
1 – Basilica St. Mary of the Angels (outside the chapel) – Centario Franciscano 800 (800th Franciscan anniversary), https://www.centenarifrancescani.org/index.php/en/places/the-portiuncula. Accessed 17 Mar 2025
2 – Basilica St. Mary of the Angels (inside the chapel) – “Portiuncula,” Centario Franciscano 800 (800th Franciscan anniversary), https://www.centenarifrancescani.org/index.php/en/places/the-portiuncula. Accessed 14 Mar 2025
3 – Cropped version of image 1
4 – Regina Angelorum (Queen of the Angels), Public domain
5 – St. Mary of the Angels, Chicago – JeremyA, from Wikimedia commons, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/St_Mary_of_the_Angels_interior_090307.jpg. Accessed 14 Mar 2025