East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-08-01
CELEBRATE FESTIVAL OF PORTUNCUA

New York, Aug. 1.-Beginning to-
day, and continuing until sunset
on Sunday the indulgence of Portiun-
cula, the greatest OF all festivals OF
purely Franciscan origin, will be cell
brated throughout the world by mem
bers and devotees of the three orders
Instituted by the great st. Francis.
Confessions In preparation for the re-
ceptioh ct ncyy sciy communion will be
heard this afternoon and evening and
tomorrow morning by the Franciscan
Fathers everywhere.
The festival is entirely different
from other Catholic observances. It
being celebrated solely on account OF
the indulgence. Portiuncula is neither
a saint nor a mystery. but the name
OF a very small church near Assist, in
Italy which although very small has
become famous throughout the world
by means OF the memorable and sing
ular indulgence which ST. Francis
gained for this little chapel
History of Festival.
The great doctor OF the church, st.
Boneventura, related that in the
1921, had vision in the little chapel
OF Santa Maris, of the angels, COM.
monty called Portiuncula. Christ ac-
companied by the roly mother and
multitude Of angels appeared at the
altar, encouraging him with these
words: "That he might ask a favor
for the salvation OF souls"
The saint trusting In the interces-
sion OF the most holy mother with
great confidence, thus addressed the
Lord, saying, 81, poor sinner, ask
OF thy divine majesty this favor for
the Christian people, that all who
having sincerely confessed, devotedly
visit this church, may obtain a general
indulgence and full remission OF all
their sins" And the Lord remained
silent at this petition to indicate.
II seems, that the saint had asked
something extraordinary. st. Francis
had recourse to the intercession of his
mother, the blessed Virgin Mary, and
1t was with her powerful assistance
that he obtained the granting Of his
petition, with the injunction to repair
to the vicar of Christ, Honorious III,
who was then sovereign pontiff, and
to ask this indulgence at his hands in
the name OF the Lord. This st. Fran
els did, but 1t was not until August 1,
1898, that this was granted Since
that time thousands of pilgrims have
visited this little chapel every year
on the 1st of August On these oc-
casions every confessor in the neigh
borhood was engaged night and day
administering the sacrament of pen
ance to contrte sinners. As the lit
tie church is not able to hold even a
hundred persons, the visitors walk in
endless procession, praying and sing
ing. They enter at a door below and
leave at side door of the upper end.
This procession commences with ves-
pers on the 1st of August, and contin-
ues throughout the whole night, with
out interruption, until sunset of the
following day. At present the cupola
of a magnificent dope vaults above
the little chapel of Portiuncula, yet
on the day of the famous indulgence
even the large dome Is too small for
the immense number of pilgrims.
Years Make Changes.
For more than 200 years this indul-
gence could not be gained in any
other church than the chapel of Por-
tluncula, not even by Franciscans.
Pope Gregory XIV on July 4, 1922 ,ex-
tended the indulgence to all churches
of the three orders of st, Francis.
Hence II is that all the faithful of
the secular or religious state may
gain this indulgence by visiting a
Franciscan church.
To secure this great grace 1t is
necessary to make a contrite confess
sion and receive holy communion
worthily either on the day of Porti- |
uncula or the day previous. This lat
ter may be done In any church. The
third condition is to visit devoutly
some privileged church within the
time appointed for the gaining Of this
indulgence. Finally It Is necessary
to say a short prayer for the intention
Of the holy father, by which is meant |
the welfare Of Christendom. the exS