Next August 1 will be the most important day for all worshipers who would like to attend the ritual of the Festa del Perdono di Assisi (Forgiveness Celebration), also known as the indulgence of the Porziuncola.

The Forgiveness of the Porziuncola dates back to 1216, the year in which Saint Francis of Assisi asked Pope Honorius III to grant indulgence to all believers. The Pope had been elected by the conclave of Perugia precisely in that year.

From historical documents taken from the “Diploma di Teobaldo”, all disagreements within the Church emerge: granting indulgence was very unusual for the time, considering the overwhelming authoritarianism of the Roman curia until just a short time before.

After his election in Perugia, Pope Honorius III brought a breath of fresh air, setting the re-conquest of the Holy Land and spiritual reform of the Church as his goals.

At their meeting Blessed Francis asked the Pope to grant indulgence, without payment of a donation or the classical penitential pilgrimage, for all of those that had visited the Church of the Porziuncola in Assisi and complied with all requirements:

• Confession of sins;
• Taken communion;
• Recited the Lord’s Prayer, Hail Mary and Glory to the Father;
• Recited the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer;
• Visited the Porziuncola

The Chapel of the Porziuncola was consecrated on 2 August of 1216, with the participation of senior representatives of the Church in Umbria.

It was Saint Francis himself that announced the extraordinary granting of indulgence by Pope Honorius III to the faithful.

Therefore, at least in the early stages, indulgence was granted to pilgrims visiting the Porziuncola, and only later was extended to Franciscan churches and oratories.

Since then, every year plenary indulgence can be requested once a day for oneself or the dead, from midday from 1 August to midnight on 2 August.

USEFUL INFORMATION AND PLACES WHERE IT IS POSSIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FORGIVENESS CELEBRATIONS 

In order to participate in this very spiritual event, it is possible to stay in the various hotels in the centre of Assisi, which are comfortable and equipped to ensure a relaxed stay and meditation.

Hotel il Duomo in Assisi offers half or full-board options, ideal for visiting the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli and to admire the beauty of the city centre; compare the rates from the period from 01/08 to 02/08

The celebrations begin with the Eucharistic ceremony, participation in the Mass and the opening procession of the Forgiveness celebrations.

A visit to the Porziuncola is then envisioned with profession of Faith of the Creed, the reciting of the Lord’s Prayer, a prayer indicated by the Pontiff and a prayer for the Pontiff himself.

There is a fireworks display around the Basilica at about 10 pm. For further information or to book a group visit, go to the official Protoconvento della Porziuncola website.

BOOK A HOTEL IN ASSISI FOR THE CELEBRATIONS OF FORGIVENESS

To book your stay in Assisi during the Forgiveness Celebrations 2019, use out contact form via mail, book through our on-line booking service or call 075-812742