Pilgrimage to Assisi: Stop #4

The Church of St Mary of the Angels (near Assisi)/La Portiuncula

This large church was build AROUND an actual tiny church call La Portiuncula. La Portiuncula is the church St Francis 'repaired' after he had his calling and mistook God's call to 'repair my church' literally. He actually died in a small 'cell/hut' he built just outside the church.

About 4 km from Assisi is the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, one of the most representative Franciscan places, and one of the most important sanctuaries in Italy. Begin to experience its charm when coming from the Tiberina Valley (one of Francesco's beloved valleys), and start to see its gigantic size from afar. Built between 1500 and 1600, its vast borders enclose the small chapel of the Porziuncola, where for the first time St Francis took refuge and found his vocation, renouncing earthly riches, and which for this reason is considered the symbolic place where the Franciscan Order was born. The saint died here, in the ancient cell of the infirmary of the Chapel of the Transit on October 3, 1226.

The ministry of St Francis continues today. Groups and churches have followed his teaching and used his principles of helping the poor and protecting all God’s creatures.

“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”