Assisi: The “Portiuncula”, a place of pardon and prayer

(Vatican Radio) Franciscan friars in Assisi - and across the world – have prepared in a special way for the historic visit to Assisi of the first Pope to bear the name Francis.

One of them is Brother Marco Savioli, a Franciscan friar at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli at the feet of Assisi. This Basilica encloses the tiny 9th century, “Portiuncula”, the most sacred place for the Franciscans because it was here that the young Francis understood his vocation and renounced his worldly wealth in order to live in poverty among the poor and thus founded the Franciscan Order.

Just days before the Pope’s visit to Assisi he tells Vatican Radio’s Linda Bordoni that the fact that the Pope has chosen to meet with the poor and the sick is a message to us all to never stop serving them.

But first he talks of his life as a Franciscan friar, having made his solemn vows only a few days ago…

Listen to the interview…

“All pilgrims who come to Assisi love St. Francis” Brother Marco explains – “and the “Portiuncula” was the most beloved place of Francis during his life time. I think Pope F will be very happy to visit the Portiuncula which is consecrated to the Virgin Mary” and he points out that it is also a place of pardon and of prayer and Brother Marco says –“right from the very beginning of his pontificate, Pope Francis has revealed that both pardon and prayer play a fundamental role for him. “They have turned up in a strong way both in his preaching and in his actions”.

Also – he says - “Pope Francis speaks a lot about God’s love and tenderness and this is clear when we see how he relates to children”. And Brother Marco points out that “the Portiuncula is a Sanctuary where many families come to consecrate their children to the Virgin Mary”.

And – he continues: “It was from here that 8 centuries ago Francis moved with his 11 companions, and it was from here that as a friar he first went to Rome to meet the Pope,. And now a Pope called Francis comes here for the first time in his life as a pilgrim to meet Francis”.

Brother Marco illustrates his life in the community and says that prayer is the pillar of everyday living. He says many people join the friars to pray. Other missions include the liturgy, evangelization, confessions, art and culture. “There is also good work with young people with a lot of fathers who are the spiritual guides of young people”. And the friars also help the diocese and the caritas. He says currently there are about 70 friars at St. Maria degli Angeli.

Regarding the hopes of the friars and the people at the Basilica, Brother Marco says that the fact that the Pope has chosen to meet with the poor and the sick is a message to us all to never stop serving them.

How are you preparing? “First of all we are praying. The preparation is also carrying on our activities and our mission every day. We are working together with the whole Franciscan family of Assisi, and we are also working with the bishop of Assisi and other bishops of the diocese, and with the Parish and the Caritas, so it is a good occasion to work together”.