Feast of The Portiuncula of St Francis of Assisi

Happy and Blessed Portiuncula Feast Day to all my Franciscan friends and other creatures.

Today, August 2nd, is the Franciscan Feast of the Portiuncula, the “mother church” of the Franciscan Order. 


009 La Porziuncola - S. Maria degli Angeli
009 La Porziuncola - S. Maria degli Angeli (Photo credit: Paolo C.)
Fresco "St. Francis receiving the Pardon ...
Fresco "St. Francis receiving the Pardon of Assisi" by Friedrich Overbeck (1829), over the entrance of the Porziuncola; Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, Assisi, Italy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)


















This little church in the valley outside the city of Assisi was one of the most important places for St. Francis during his own lifetime. 


IT07 2910 Porziuncola, Assisi
 Porziuncola, Assisi (Photo credit: Templar1307)




Franciscan Father Dan Horan OFM at Dating God has a fine post on it here.














John Michael Talbot explains what it's all about in this video here !!

Alien
                                                              by Mary Brent Whiteside

He crouches in the chapel, on his knees,

With matted hair that hangs in dusky strands;
Apart and strange, among the little bands
Of worshippers, for he is not as these.
Alone! and yet a deeper vision sees
That near this alien with his grimy hands,
The Little Poor Man of Assisi stands,
As Giotto painted him upon a friese.

I know one luminous Italian spring!
"Your province? Is it Umbria?" I ask.
The weariness falls from him like a mask,
And all his visage is a shining thing,
As though some deathless master of his race
Inscribed a sudden message on his face.

 
Poem source here

This video is a beautiful version of the Canticle of All Creatures
All Praise To you My Lord !!



                                                                                    


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