The doors of the Portiuncula, in Assisi, are always open to pilgrims and locals who wish to receive the grace of God’s forgiveness in the sacrament of reconciliation.
And during the days dedicated to the Pardon of Assisi, thousands of young and old pilgrims go there in order to step through the “gate of eternal life” and receive a Plenary Indulgence.
As always, this year there are lots of events to help people really enter into this tremendous offer of grace. A highlight is the extraordinary visit to the Portiuncula of the
religious habit of St. Pio of Pietrelcina. From
July 29thto August 2nd, the habit that this saintly Capuchin friar wore on the day the Lord granted him the stigmata will be available for veneration by the many faithful who attend.
At
7:00PMon
July 29th, the Triduum in preparation for the feast of the Pardon will take place, led by the Bishop of Gubbio,
Mons. Luciano Paolucci Bedini, who will speak to the pilgrims about the gift of mercy won so long ago by St. Francis in the tiny church of St. Mary of the Angels.
Wednesday,
August 1st, sees the
Inauguration of the Solemnity of the Pardon. At
11:00AM, as is customary, the Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor, Br. Michael A. Perry, will preside at the Solemn Eucharistic Celebration that will conclude with the
Procession of the “Opening Up of the Pardon of Assisi”. This term is used to indicate the fact that from
noon on August 1stto midnight on August 2nd, the Plenary Indulgence available daily at the Portiuncula is opened up to all parish churches throughout the world, as well as to Franciscan churches.
Starting from
2:30PMon
August 2nd,young people from all over Italy and abroad who are participating in the
38thFranciscan Marchwill arrive at the Portiuncula. They will have spent over a week walking to Assisi, reflecting on the theme of
“With a New Name”.
For the
detailed program see:
www.assisiofm.it/news-porziuncola-il-perdono-di-assisi-2018.html
