Devocion Franciscana

Portiuncula, in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels
The Porziuncola is a village and at the same time a church located approximately three-quarters of a mile from the town of Assisi in Italy. The village has progressed around the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels. It was in this Basilica St. Francisco de Asís received his vocation in the year 1208. San Francisco lived most of his life in this place. In 1211, San Francisco achieved a permanent stay in this town near Assisi, through the generosity of the Benedictines, which he donated the small chapel of St. Mary of the Angels or the Porziuncola, considered "a small portion" of these lands.
One day while San Francisco was kneeling in the chapel of San Damiano, felt that Christ spoke to him from the crucifix and said: "Rebuild my Church in ruins." He took these words literally and began rebuilding several churches. It was not until some time after San Francisco realized that the main message of Christ was spiritually to build and strengthen the Church of Christ. So it was that the Holy began work on the restoration of the church of San Damiano, San Pedro and Santa Maria Della Spina Angels or the Porziuncola.
Beside the humble sanctuary of Portiuncula, it was built the first Franciscan convent with the construction of a few small huts or cells of wattle and daub, fenced with a hedge. This agreement was the beginning of the Franciscan Order. Portiuncula was also the place where St. Francis received the votes of Santa Clara. On October 3, 1226, San Francisco dies, and on his deathbed, entrusted with the care and protection of the chapel to his brothers.
Shortly after the year 1290, the chapel, which average about 22 feet by 13 ½ feet was widely enlarged to accommodate the number of pilgrims who came to visit. Later, the buildings around the shrine were destroyed by order of Pius V (1566-1572), except the cell in which San Francisco died. Of course, these were replaced by a large basilica, contemporary style. The new building was erected on his cell and the chapel of the Portiuncula. Basilica now has three aisles and a circle of hoods extending along the length of the sides.
The Basilica is a Latin cross 416 feet long by 210 feet wide. A piece of the altar of the chapel of the Annunciation, which was painted by a priest in 1393. One can still visit the cell where he died San Francisco. Behind the sacristy is the place where the saint, during a temptation is said that wallowed in a bush heather, which later became a rose without thorns. It was during that night of August 2, the Holy received the "Indulgence of the Portiuncula." There is a representation of receipt of this indulgence on the facade of the chapel of the Portiuncula.